As the toughest race on the circuit, Sunday’s Sentiero delle Grigne didn’t disappoint.  The 2011 Skyrunner® World Series final proved a harder test than was anticipated by the 439 competitors. With lashing rain, thunder and lightning, the original 43 km course and massive vertical climb, had to be reduced. ©

A double victory for Spain with the world champion titles going to ranking leaders Luis Alberto Hernando,  third, and Oihana Kortazar, second.  

Race winners were Britain’s Tom Owens who completed the course in 2h23’54” and Italy’s  Emanuela Brizio, 2009 and 2010 world champion, 2h57’52”.   

Owens was thrilled with his win after battling against skyrunning giant Kilian Jornet in Zegama for second place at the start of the season.  Finally his turn for victory, he let loose on the downhill and conquered the finish line over the last five kilometers.

Brizio was also very happy with her win and paid homage to Kortazar’s supremacy over the season – despite the 13 year age difference.

The final concludes the Series which embraced eleven countries across four continents.  The world titles are awarded on the sum of four main races and one trial.

Apart from the € 10,000 prize purse, the winners are invited to the Skyrunner® SuperCup on Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu on October 22 and 23 where skyrunning champions and record holders will contend for the trophy.

Look out for next year’s exciting World Series calendar – full of surprises with a taste for every skyrunner.

2011 Skyrunner® World Series final ranking:
M
Luis Hernando  (ESP) – 371 points            
Mikhail  Maamlev (ITA)– 346 points                     
Jabi Olabarria (ESP) – 309 points                        

W
Oihana Kortazar  (ESP) -  405 points                
Emanuela Brizio (ITA) -  376 points                     
Stephanie Jimenez (FRA) – 320 points  

Team ranking:

1.  SEL CATALANA DE CURSES-FEEC
2.  EUSKAL SELEKZIOA
3.  VALETUDO SKYRUNNNING ITALIA
4.  SALOMON SANTIVERI
5.  SALOMON INTERNATIONAL
6.  SKYRUNNING FRANCE
7.  EQUIP ANDORRA
8.  RUNNING TEAM LAFUMA
9.  TEAM LA SPORTIVA
10. RUSSIA TEAM

Final 2011 Skyrunner® World Series athlete and team ranking online here  

Sentiero delle Grigne race results