Hernando and Mirò revel in Dolomites snow
Mireia Mirò
The weather in the Italian Dolomites this weekend was, let’s say, unexpected. Dolomites SkyRace® winners Luis Hernando and Mireia Mirò weren’t, however all competitors had snow and mud to contend with making racing very interesting..
Event release
Spaniards Luis Hernando and Mireia Mirò win the Dolomites SkyRace® while Italians Mikhail Mamleev and Emanuela Brizio maintain the World Series ranking leadership.
Champion skyrunners show their worth whatever the weather and Sunday’s third leg of the Series in the freezing Italian Dolomites was no exception with 609 out of the 700 entrants shivering on the start line.
The original 22 km course to the summit of the Piz Boè was abandoned due to snow at 1,800m altitude and driving rain in Canazei. The alternative course, one kilometre longer, was designed to mimic the original although falling short by 450 m vertical climb. The maximum altitude reached was 2,300m at the Pordoi Pass, well above the snow line, but missing the steep rocky features and tricky technical descent of the original course.
Luis Hernando
Hernando led from the start, followed closely by fellow countryman Miguel Caballero and Italians Larger, Tavernaro and ranking leader Mamleev. Tofol Castañer, reigning world champion, struggled to fifth after recovering from injury.
Spaniards Mirò and Oihana Kortazar together with American Brandy Erholtz led the women’s pack and reached the finish in that order with Russian Zhanna Vokueva fourth and standing world champion Emanuela Brizio, who with a fifth, managed to retain her ranking leadership.
The previous day’s World Series Trial in Wales with the Snowdon International Race had more luck weather-wise with England’s Andi Jones taking his fifth title and Pippa Maddams winning the women’s category.
The Series moves on to the Spanish Pyrenees on July 3rd with a Trial at the Ribagorça Romanica SkyMarathon® followed by the Course de Sierre Zinal, a classic all-time great on August 14 in Switzerland where the world’s top runners will compete.
Dolomites SkyRace® results here
Reactions so far
Tony Mollica Jul 26, 03:54 AM
Nice pictures!