Xavier Gachet and his buddy William Bon Mardion won the first stage of the Pierra Menta, emblematic duo ski mountaineering race, Wednesday in the Beaufortain massif, in 2h.15 (20 km, 2530 meters of elevation gain). The Tricolores were followed two minutes later by the Italians Matteo Eydallin and Michele Boscacci, favorites for this 36th edition. For his comeback to the famous race following four years of absence, the Spaniard Kilian Jornet, associated with the Austrian Jakob Herrmann, took 3rd place following 2h.20 of racing. In women, Axelle Mollaret Gachetfive-time ski mountaineering world champion, completed the course following 2h.46, in tandem with her biggest rival on the circuit, the Swede Tove Alexandersson. The pair beat the Italian pair made up of Katia Tomatis and Martina Valmassoi (3h.03).
