At 7:30, the first stage of the 37th edition of the Pierra Menta started with 212 teams. The Pierra Menta is the most famous ski-alpinism race in the world and takes place every year in Arêches-Beaufort.
The runners started their ascent to the peaks of Legette and Grand Mont under the snow. They had to climb a cumulative positive elevation of 2,550 meters over a distance of nearly 20 kilometres.
Despite difficult weather conditions, Axelle Gachet-Mollaret, the best runner in this discipline, and her partner Emily Harrop took the lead in the ranking after the first day.
The best French runners, Samuel Équy and Mathéo Jacquemoud, currently occupy the third place in the provisional ranking.
Pierra Menta 2023 D1 – Women are honoured for this first day
It is unnecessary to introduce her. The Frenchwoman, Axelle Gachet-Mollaret is a three-time world champion of ski-alpinism. She unsurprisingly won the first stage of the Pierra Menta. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Axelle Gachet-Mollaret and Émily Harrop crossed the finish line smiling.
After winning a new world championship title on the Verticale, Axelle Gachet-Mollaret and Émily Harrop, two powerful women in the discipline, approach the Pierra Menta with great confidence. They set the pace from the start of the race with 11 minutes ahead of the Bonnel sisters. They are determined to confirm their status as favorites. Their goal is to win this 37th edition of the Pierra Menta!
“We were hoping to start off this strong. With this not-so-fun weather, anything can happen. We have a nice lead, but there are still three days of racing, two of which look like they’ll be “tough”
Axelle Gachet Mollaret
The podium taken by the Italian army, the duo Samuel Équy & Mathéo Jacquemoud just behind
For this Pierra Menta 2023 D1, the Italians have kept their commitment. They have dominated throughout the race. However, they are still under pressure from the French duo of Samuel Équy and Mathéo Jacquemoud.
Matteo Eydallin and Michele Boscacci, who won together the 2022 edition, are now adversaries. Nadir Maguet and Matteo Eydallin won the first stage in 2’25″40, followed by Davide Magnigni and Michele Boscacci in 2’27″42.
They were expected to fight for victory, and they answered present! Samuel Équy from Isère and Mathéo Jacquemoud from Haute-Savoie, who won the French team championship in February at Superdévoluy, La Belle Étoile and La Grande Trace, today secured the third place. Despite a difficult first part of the race in physically and mentally demanding conditions, the French duo held on until the end and finally finished on the third step of the podium.
Men ranking – Results Pierra Menta 2023 – D1
- (ITA) Nadir Maguet & Matteo Eydallin – 2:25:40
- (ITA) Michele Boscacci & Davide Magnigni – 2:27:42
- (FR) Samuel Équy & Mathéo Jacquemoud – 2:28:06
- (FR) Jakob Herrmann & Martin Anthamatten – 2:28:45
- (FR) Xavier Gachet – & William Bon Mardion – 3:30:48
- (ITA) William Boffelli & Alex Oberbacher – 2:31:41
- (FR) Alexis Sevennec & Anselme Damevin – 2:33:23
- (FR) Aurélien Dunand Pallaz & Julien Michelon – 2:36:01
- (FR) Germain Grangier & Valentin Clarys – 2:40:16
- (FR) Simon Bellabouvier & Noé Rogier – 2:41:24
Women – ranking
- (FR) Axelle Mollaret & Émily Harrop – 2:54:33
- (FR) Candine Bonnel & Léna Bonnel – 3:05:52
- (ITA) Martina Valmassoi & Elena Nicolini – 3:12:47
- (FR) Romane Lafarge & Sophie Mollard – 3:27:00
- (AM) Kylee Ohler & Rea Kolbl – 3:29:04
- (FR) Laurie Renoton & Périne Gindre – 3:29:08
- (FR) Anna Tybor & Élise Poncet – 3:29:16
- (FR) Marie Charlotte Iratzoquy & Grace Staberg – 3:43:43
- (AL) Jacqueline Brandl & Bianca Somavilla – 3:47:31
- (IT-FR) Katrin Bieler & Mélanie Rousset – 3:50:20
Everyone has a story to tell. endorfeen is built as a collaborative platform, giving the voice to anyone with a story to tell.
If you have things you want to share, register here.