Race winner, Face de Bellevarde VK, Xavier Gachet. ©iancorless.com /VKWC
On the sixth leg of the Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit, it was a repeat performance for Frenchman Xavier Gachet after last year’s win and record, while compatriot Jessica Pardin took her first win here in Val d’Isère, France, June 7, 2017.
Gachet closed in 33’57” just 23” short of his 2016 record. Pardin summited in 43’08” leaving Christel Dewalle’s 2016 record of 38’11” intact.
Jessica Pardin, winner Face de Bellevarde. ©iancorless.com /VKWC
Just three kilometres long, the Face de Bellevarde, one of the highest VK’s topping out at 2,798m at the summit of the famous Olympic downhill ski run – a gruelling challenge with an incline over 50% on the last stretch pushing the runners to their limits. The historical course inaugurated the second-ever Vertical Kilometer® in 1996.
Second man to top was Swiss Rémi Bonnet, followed by Frenchman William Bon Mardion. With a fifth place, Italian Simone Eydallin rises to the third ranking position, still led by Ferran Teixido and Stian Angermund Vik respectively.
With a third place in the race yesterday, Italian Stephanie Jimenez maintains her ranking leadership. Second lady was Marianna Jagercikova from Slovakia.
William Bon Mardion, third Face de Bellevarde VK. ©iancorless.com /VKWC
The race marks the sixth event on the new Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit, a spin-off of the Skyrunner® World Series which counts eighteen races in eight countries.
Face de Bellevarde VK results
Men
1. Xavier Gachet (FRA) – 33’57″
2. Rémi Bonnet (SUI) – 34’41”
3. William Bon Mardion (FRA) – 35’19″
Women
1. Jessica Pardin (FRA) – 43’08″
2. Marianna Jagercikova (SVK) – 43’43″
3. Stephanie Jimenez (ITA) – 44’57″
