Jornet and Forsberg take Skyrunning world titles
Forsberg and Jornet - champions!
At the start of 2012 many would have predicted the outcome of the men’s Skyrunner® World Series, yes yet another crown (and that’s now 4!) for Kilian Jornet. However, in the women’s series a super-talented athlete from Sweden, in her first ‘big year’ in the sport, was not everyone’s first pick…
So, as Emelie Forsberg is crowned women’s winner of the 2012 title, she now gains the ‘the one to beat’ mantle and embarks on what many feel could be equally great status in the sport in years to come.
Full ISF release
Killian Jornet is skyrunning king for the fourth time round while Sweden’s super-strong, ever-smiling Emelie Forsberg sits on the throne for the first time.
Kilian needed only a third place to confirm his world title but needless to say that’s not his style. He led throughout the race in a field of nearly 500 and cruised to first place and yet another 100 points in the Skyrunner® World Series final at the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon today.
His time of 2h11’45” sets the record for the new course which traverses rather than summits the mountain. Nepal’s Aite Tamang was second two minutes later and Toru Mihahar from Japan, third. Britain’s Tom Owens was fourth thus placing him second in the overall world ranking.
Forsberg dealt with some keen competition in the ladies’ field, but managed to fend off her rivals to take first place and the World Series crown – an incredible achievement for a runner who only started skyrunning this year – preferring the highest peaks and most technical courses.
Blanca Maria Serrano took second and Nuria Picas third which puts Picas in second position in the ranking and Italy’s Silvia Serafini, fifth today, in third.
After many years as a World Series final event and 2011 Skyrunning SuperCup, the new course, 23 km long to a top altitude of 2,700m and ten kilometres of paved road, is designed to promote the areas diverse landscape and will no doubt attract runners from many fields.
The event was also attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Today’s race marked the World Series final for the combined points, but next week sees the second last race in the Vertical Kilometer® Series in Fully, Switzerland.
The circuit moves on with the final of the Ultra Series with the Course des Templiers on October 28 in Millau, France where some of the world’s top specialists will compete.
2012 Skyrunner® World Series ranking leaders:
Men
1. Kilian Jornet Burgada, Salomon Santiveri: 520 points
2. Tom Owens, Salomon: 458 points
3. Luis Alberto Hernando Alzaga, FAM-Grifone: 420 points
Women
1. Emelie Tina Forsberg, Salomon: 466 points
2. Nuria Picas Albets, FEEC: 426 points
3. Silvia Serafini, Salomon Carnifast: 406 points
Full results to follow via the Climbathon website
