MATTERHORN ULTRAKS 2023: WINNERS RUBTSOVA AND MERILLAS

Posted by mayayo oxigeno on August 25, 2023 in manuel merillas, matterhon ultraks, matterhorn ultraks, skyrunner world series, trail running, trail running 2023, trail running spain | Leave a comment

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS 2023: WINNERS RUBTSOVA AND MERILLAS. Our SKYRUNNER WORLD SERIES  bring us the ninth race of the 2023  program where top skyrunners return to Zermatted for the Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME ».

This Friday, the world’s leading skyrunners took to the skies above Zermatt for the mighty Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME ». Since its 2019 debut, the Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME », a beautiful yet challenging event, has become a magnet for the most technically skilled skyrunners of the circuit.

SKYRUNNER WORLD SERIES.

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » 2023

The ninth stage of the 2023 Skyrunner World Series delighted fans and spectators with an unpredictable and exciting race. Manuel Merillas of Spain and dark horse, Anastasia Rubtsova of Russia, claimed victories at the Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME ».

The sun shone on the town of Zermatt this morning where athletes of over 30 nationalities toed the line of arguably the circuit’s most epic and extreme event at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn.

With 25 km of distance, 2,876 m of elevation gain and 3% glacier, the only thing more thrilling than the « EXTREME » race course was today’s fight for the title.

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS: THE COURSE

The 25 km course with 2,876 m of elevation gain begins in the centre of Zermatt, at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. The race features the circuit’s most notorious descent, an extremely steep couloir with loose scree, as well as a glacier crossing where microspikes are compulsory in certain conditions, and reaches a highest point of 3,406 meters.

MANUEL MERILLAS WINNNER

In the men’s race, Roberto Delorenzi of Switzerland (team Brooks) took the lead in the first 1,600 meter climb followed closely by Frederic Tranchand of France (team Scott Running), Manuel Merillas of Spain (team Scarpa), William Boffelli of Italy (team Hoke / Crazy) and Daniel Antonioli of Italy (team Scarpa).

By the time they reached the Rothornhütte at half way, two-time winner Boffeli had climbed into the lead followed by Merillas and Tranchand, with Delorenzi falling back into fourth position. Just when it looked like it was going to be a hat trick for Boffelli, Merillas moved up a gear and passed Boffelli on the final descent.

Merillas claimed his first victory of the season with a winning time of 3h19’16” – five minutes slower than Boffelli’s 2021 record. Boffelli followed just 90 seconds behind and Tranchand closed the men’s podium eight minutes behind Merillas.

Manuel Merillas: “The first hour was really tough for me. I have raced a lot these past few months and I struggled but together with Boffeli, we pushed hard to make a gap and in the end I was able to push a little harder to take a lead. The level was high today and it was anybody’s race so I am delighted to win here in Zermatt.”

Top 5 Men:

1. Manuel Merillas (ESP), Team Scarpa – 03:19:16

2. William Boffelli (ITA), Team Crazy / Hoka – 03:20:49

3. Frederic Tranchand (FRA), Scott Running – 03:27:16

4. Daniel Antonioli (ITA), Team Scarpa – 03:32:19

5. Cristian Minoggio (ITA) – 03:32:50

ANASTASIA RUBTSOVA WINNER

In the women’s race, dark horse Anastasia Rubtsova fought off a world-class field to take home the win at her first Skyrunner® World Series race.

Rubtsova stole the lead from Myrielle Weingand of Switzerland just after Rothornhütte and managed to keep it until the end, crossing the finish line after 4h10’33”. Maria Christen of Switzerland (team Scott Running) followed eight minutes behind in second place and Karina Carsolio of Mexico (team Black Diamond) closed the women’s podium thirteen minutes after Rubtsova with an impressive climb from eighth to third position in the second half of the race. The pre-race favourite, Hillary Gerardi of the USA unfortunately pulled out after three hours due to stomach issues.

Top 5 Women:

1. Anastasia Rubtsova – 04:10:33

2. Maria Christen (SUI), Team Scott Running – 04:18:47

3. Karina Carsolio (MEX), Team Black Diamond – 04:23:32

4. Myrielle Weingand (SUI) – 04:24:37

5. Amélie Bertschy (SUI), – 04:32:09

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS: Photogallery by org.

SKYRUBNER WORLD SERIES

The top 20 of the Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME » have gained points towards the overall ranking. The next stage of the Skyrunner World Series will be Grigne SkyMarathon on September 16th, 2023.