The Skyrunning 2012 season had once again a double session this weekend, with the Atlantic Ocean in between:  The Speedgoat 50k Skyrace was run Saturday 28Jul in the United States, whereas Giir di Mont was run 29Jul in Italy. Skyrunners from Spain once again dominated both races: Kilian Jornet (ESP) took Speedgoat and Tofol Castanyer (ESP) won at Giir di Mont. Anna Frost (NZL) and Kaise Enman (USA) were the female winners. Special congratulations to the Salomon Running team, where they all belong.  

Giir di Mont 2012: Tofol Castanyer (ESP) & Kasie Enman (USA) celebrating victory.

As the ISF organization for the Skyrunner World series puts it, there were two great races, and many top skyrunners involved. The final winners at Saturday’s Speedgoat 50k , the second World Series Ultra of the season, were Kilian Jornetand Anna Frost.  Jornet finished in 5h14’10” breaking the course record.  Rickey Gates was a close second in 5h18’27”  followed by Max King(5h23’10”) and Anton Krupicka (5h23’36”) 4^th in a great come-back after his long lay-off.

The result was not without controversy however as Jornet was declared winner but his record and prize-money withheld on account of his switchback cutting, despite having been informed not to do so. Organizer Karl Meltzer decided to keep Jornet as official winner, yet dispossess him of the course record and the prize money which went in both cases to non-cutter Rickey Gates. Salomonic decision, if there was ever such one. (See Meltzer interview on the subject here)

 Anna Frost, despite worries of not being on top form, led the race from start to finish. Kerrie Bruxvoort was second while local runners Sarah Evans and Emily Sullivan where third and fourth, respectively.

Back in Europe at Italy’s Giir di Mont, predictions aside, no-one was ready for American Kasie Enman’s triumphant win and record together with Tofol Castanyer’s great come-back in a stacked men’s field.  Tom Owen’s was second and Luis Alberto Hernando, third.

Tofol Castanyer wins at Giir di Mont skyrace 2012

The men’s field was an exciting match with Rumenian Ionut Zinca leading strongly in the first part of the race, before ceding to pressure on the final ascent from Hernando, with Castanyer and Owens alternating the lead. Owens was hampered on the final downhill due to severe blisters from last week’s Dolomites SkyRace but managed a heroic second position.

In the women’s field it was Kasie Enman’s race from start to finish, breaking the course record and closing 14 minutes ahead of her competitors.  Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg kept a steady second place throughout most of the race, to be overtaken by Silvia Serafini – Italy’s new skyrunning hope.  No doubt last week’s superb record at the Dolomites SkyRace took its toll on Forsberg who slipped down to fifth position. Oihana Kortazar finished third, not on her best form and Blanca Maria Serrano, fourth.

______

SKYRUNNING WORLD SERIES 2012: Updated rankings.

_____

After the weekend’s races, the Skyrunner World Series 2012 ranking is lead by Luis Alberto Hernando, Kilian Jornet and Tom Owens and Emelie Forsberg, Blanca Maria Serrano and Kasie Enman. Next Skyrunning World Series 2012  race is coming up on August 12 at the Course de Sierre Zinal in Switzerland. See here a video of 2011 edition.

SKYRUNNING WORLD SERIES: COURSE DE SIERRE ZINAL VIDEO (2011)

______

SKYRUNNING WORLD SERIES 2012: REMAINING CALENDAR

MAIN SKY RACES

Switzlerland: COURSE DE SIERRE-ZINAL , ZINAL, VALAIS – 1AUG

USA: PIKES PEAK MARATHON , COLORADO – 19AUG

Malaysia: MOUNT KINABALU CLIMBATHON , SABAH, BORNEO – 15OCT

______

VERTICAL KILOMETER® SERIES (Kilómetro Vertical)  

Switzerland:  Le KM Vertical de Fully , Martigny, Valais – 20 OCT

Spain:  Vertical Kilometer del Puig Campana , Valencia – 11NOV

__________

SKYRACE® SERIES

Grecia:  Ziria Cross Country SkyRace®, Goura Corinth – 27 Mayo

*Italia:  DOLOMITES SKYRACE® , CANAZEI, TRENTO – 22 Julio

Reino Unido:  Snowdon International Race , Llanberis, Wales – 28 Julio

Francia:  Marathon du Montcalm , Auzat, Ariège – 18 Agosto

______

ULTRA SKYMARATHON SERIES 

Italy:  Trofeo Kima UltraSkyMarathon® , Valmasino, Sondrio – 26AUG

Spain:  Cavalls del Vent – Cadi-Moixeró Natural Park , Pyrenees – 2OCT

Francia:  La Course des Templiers , Millau, Grands Causses – 28 Octubre

MORE ON SPANISH SKY RUNNERS AND THEIR RACES

Technical data, race reports and latest news on  trail races & trail runners in Spain 2012 

Most relevant results for mountain race in Spain 2012

___________________________

Info by Mayayo for Trailrunningspain