In a start list that is taking shape and currently has over 80 accredited two-man teams, it is difficult to make a reliable prediction.
MANY BIG MATCHES AT THE START:
The favors go to the Alpine athlete Matteo Eydallin, already a 3-time winner of this race, who will go in search of a historic poker of successes alongside the Swiss Werner Marti who won here two years ago alongside Rémi Bonnet. However, looking for a place in the Monterosa Skialp’s roll of honour, there are three other very high-level teams: Michele Boscacci – Davide Magnini, Alex Oberbacher – William Boffelli (record man of the track with Filippo Barazzuol 2h37’11”) and Jakob Herrmann – Mathéo Jacquemoud. Outsider role for the trail running champion Francois D’Haene alongside Gédéon Pochat (3rd in 2022). Also pay attention to the Aosta Valley cousins Francois Cazzanelli – Stefano Stradelli.
The prediction is easier in the pink race with the Venetian Martina Valmassoi, who after third place in 2022, will try to win alongside the young Claudia Boffelli.
PATH:
involves a development of 30km and 2800m d+ entirely within the Monterosa Ski ski area, the first in Italy to have opened its doors to ski mountaineering with a project that includes dedicated uphill itineraries and spectacular descents back onto the slopes.
The first climb heads towards Gabiet (2,255 m altitude); change of attitude and descent towards Stafal (altitude 1,815 m). The test gets underway with the climb to Colle Bettaforca (950 m difference in altitude with a walk on the very steep 275 m black slope, Colle Bettaforca altitude 2,730 m). I change skins and head down towards the Val d’Ayas up to the Alpe Ciarcerio area which can be reached by the Frachey funicular (altitude 1,970 metres).
From here the effort will begin to be felt with the ascent of 475 meters in altitude to reach Mont Ross (altitude 2,445 m), a very short descent of 150 meters to reach Alpe Forca (altitude 2,300 m), Colle Bettaforca lower (altitude 2,670 m), descent back into the Gressoney Valley to return to Stafal (longest descent with altitude difference of 855 m).
With sore arms and the reserve warning light on, the athletes will still have to face the last climb towards Gabiet on the steep Moos Black slope and then rush towards the finish line in Gressoney town.
TIMES TO BEAT:
If for the men the time to beat remains that set by Filippo Barazzuol & William Boffelli (2h37’11”), for the women the best time is that set in 2022 by the Italians Alba De Silvestro and Giulia Murada (3h05’18”).
REGISTRATIONS:
they will close online on Thursday 7th at 6pm. For those who are undecided at the last minute it will be possible to register directly on the day of the race at the race office (multipurpose hall of the Municipality of Gressoney La Trinité in the Edelboden area, starting point of the Punta Jolanda chair lift) with a surcharge of €20.00 per squad. If the registration has already been registered online, but not completed (e.g. payment not made), it will be possible to complete it directly on the day of the race at the race office with a surcharge of €10.00 per team
More info and registration on: www.visitmonterosa.com/monterosaskialp
(FOTO Stefano Jeantet)