The mountain skiing classics, the Altitoy among them, begin in February. The French Basque Pyrenees are all geared up for a two-stage race along the Gavarine ridges, with a total of climb if 4,500m. This year the race also counts towards the mountain skiing World Cup, so the world’s top racers will be gathering at Luz Ardiden. 

Kilian Jornet will be on the starting line after several years absence from the Pyrenean event. He will take part alongside the Frenchman Mathéo Jacquemoud, who is in top form this year and with whom Jornet has competed in various team events in the past. Both will compete in the Open event as this year the International Mountain Skiing Federation won’t allow pairs from different nationalities to compete in events that count towards the World Cup.  As a result, Jornet explains, “after this race, with the new regulations, I know I can’t opt for winning the combination event of the mountain skiing World Cup. So I’m focusing on trying to win here and in the Pierra Menta as well as the individual world cup.” As a result, Jornet has slightly modified his calendar and won’t take part in the last two events, the Tour du Rutor and the Patrouille des Glaciers, as he had originally intended to do. 

For now Jornet is focusing his preparation on next weekend. The first stage of the Altitoy will start at the Luz Ardiden ski station on Saturday at 07:15 for a 20km run with uphill climbs of 2,670m with summits at the Col des Laquets and Col d’Aouet before reaching the Pic du Midi (2,830m), from which there is a panoramic view of the Pyrenees mountain chain. The second stage will be held on Sunday. It’s slightly shorter with climbs of 2,055m to peaks such as Lahazère (2,560m) and Bot Houradade (2,475m) before finishing at Luz Ardiden. 

“I’m keen to race the Altitoy, a a very demanding Pyrenean course in a very beautiful region. Team races are always really motivating because it’s about comradeship, and we hope to get a result,” Kilian Jornet said. The Jacquemoud-Jornet duo will face stiff competition from the Italian and French pairs. 

Picture: ISMF Press Office