The world’s biggest ski-mountaineering race, the Pierra Menta, ended with a double French victory for Axelle Gachet-Mollaret with Lorna Bonnel, and for locals William Bon Mardion and Xavier Gachet. Four days, ten thousand metres of vert, and on the special last day, a huge crowd of spectators to support the racers. It’s the Pierra Menta, a magical race held every year in the Beaufortain massif (Alps), France. Photo report by Jocelyn Chavy.
The Grand Mont ridge represents the spirit of the race : real-world skimo.
William Bon-Mardion ahead.
the crowd goes wild at Col de la Forclaz
This stage was “martyrdom”, confided Samuel Equy at the finish.
Col de la Forclaz, capital of ski-mountaineering
Lorna Bonnel
The American team, Samuel Wescott and Sam Burke, Day 2.
The Grand Mont Ridge, Pierra Menta Day 3.
The Pierre in a nutshell: Xavier Gachet ahead of Samuel Equy and Mathéo Jacquemoud, Day 4.
Yoann Sert
La Pierra Menta Jeunes, the short version of the race for under 20s
The one and only Canadian team welcomed by “le docteur de la medecine”
The final meters of the 39th Pierra Menta for its winners (Male team), Xavier Gachet and William Bon mardion
French Ultra Trail champion François d’Haene with Alexis Sevennec, 4e
Women’s leaders, Lorna Bonnel (right) Axelle Gachet Mollaret (left)
The Youth American Team
French Ultra Trail star Ludo Pommeret, 50, still competing at Pierra Menta each year
All results are here