Tough nut Dold cracks Brazil
Thomas Dold (left) and Valentina Belotti - VWC Champions
Germany’s Thomas Dold once again confirms his prowess as the world’s number one skyscraper racer after winning the 2011 Vertical World Circuit final in the Corrida Vertical, Saõ Paolo, Brazil on January 25.
ISF event release
For the third year running, Dold claims the VWC World Champion title with a winning time of 3’01”. The women’s 2011 World Champion is Italian Valentina Belotti who closed in 3’53”. The $6,000 VWC prize purse was divided between the new champions.
Three hundred runners raced up the 672 steps and 29 floors of the 140 metre building, headquarters of the Abril Publishing company, main sponsor of the event, who chose January 25th for the Corrida Vertical to celebrate Saõ Paolo’s foundation in 1554.
The tower is the 6th tallest of the 150 skyscrapers in this vast metropolis. The thirty élite runners reached the finish line by a suspended walkway connected to the heliport, offering a unique bird’s eye view of the city.
Belgian Omar Bekkali was thrilled with his second place only 12 seconds behind Dold in 3’13”, after overtaking Italian Fabio Ruga, third, on the last stretch. With his third position Ruga now ranks second on the 2011 Vertical World Circuit with Bekkali third.
In the women’s field Belotti was in a class of her own, although American Kristin Frey recuperated well on the final stretch to close second in 4’14”. Reigning world champion Cristina Bonacina from Italy was third in 4’32”, now placing second in the ranking, followed by New Zealander Melissa Moon, third.
Cristina Bonacina and Fabio Ruga, members of Vibram’s FiveFingers® team, raced up the tower wearing the FiveFingers® “footgloves” designed to help balance, stability and propulsion – just the job!
Runners from ten nations participated in this first hugely successful event which sports-loving Brazilians intend to launch in cities right across the nation.
Skyscraper racing, governed by the International Skyrunning Federation, is becoming increasingly popular: last year more than 7,000 runners from 30 countries took part in the Vertical World Circuit which unites some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races in eight major cities across four continents – from the Americas to the heart of Europe and the Far East.
Look out for the 2012 Vertical World Circuit to be announced shortly by the ISF, where Brazil aims for a repeat performance as one of the major venues.
Provisional 2011 VWC ranking:
Men
Thomas Dold (GER) – 520 points
Fabio Ruga (ITA) – 438 points
Omar Bekkali (BEL) – 430 points
Matthias Jahn (GER) – 416 points
Ignacio Cardona (ESP) – 344 points
Women
Valentina Belotti (ITA) – 508 points
Cristina Bonacina (ITA) – 442 points
Melissa Moon (NZL) – 326 points
Kristin Frey (USA) – 248 points
Alessandra Valgoi (ITA) – 238 points
See www.corridavertical.com.br and www.verticalrunning.org for full information.
