Standing world skyrunning champion Kilian Jornet, is back on the top rung of the podium while Italy’s Emanuela Brizio seizes her third consecutive win in the third stage of the Skyrunner® World Series held in Andorra Sunday, June 24. 

Eleven teams from seven countries participated in the 36 km Vallnord SkyRace® which summits Andorra’s highest peak, the Coma Pedrosa, at 2,942m. Spaniard, Agustí Roc, Jornet’s team mate, was second and Britain’s Rob Jebb, third – all three past world champions battling for this year’s title.

At the summit, Jornet and Roc already had a six minute lead over Jebb and team mate Tom Owens, Just Sociats and Jokin Lizeaga. On the long descent to the village of Ordino, Jornet sprinted ahead of Roc, sailing to the finish line 7 minutes ahead of him in 3h32’21”.

In the women’s field, Emanuela Brizio is going from strength to strength, winning her first three Series’ races outright:  Costa Rica, Zegama and Andorra.  Stephanie Jimenez, current ranking leader, came second and Portugal’s Rosa Madureira, third in the race and the ranking.  Brizio’s brilliant performance was echoed by her closing time of 4h21’31”, more than nine minutes ahead of Jimenez.

Jornet missed the beginning of the season due to an enforced rest period after an intense winter of skimountaineering competitions and is clearly back on form.He comments, “I feel fine and I’ve recovered my spark and speed.  I’m on the right track so I hope it continues like this!”. The current ranking leaders remain unchanged:  Mexico’s Ricardo Mejia followed by Italy’s Paolo Larger and Fulvio Dapit.

Look out for more skyrunning thrills and spills at the fourth Skyrunner® World Series race, the Giir di Mont in Lecco, Italy on July 26, preceded by the European Skyrunning Championship in Canazei on July 17-19 where Europe’s top skyrunners will compete for their country.

Vallnord SkyRace® results (extract)

Men
1. Kilian Jornet  3h32’21” (Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team)
2. Agustí Roc   3h39’16” (Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team)
3. Rob Jebb 3h45’11” (Saab Salomon Team)

Women
1. Emanuela Brizio 4h21’31” (Valetudo Skyrunning Italia)
2. Stephanie Jimenez 4h30’59” (Salomon Santiveri - Federaciò Andorrana)
3. Rosa Madureira 4h42’48” (Selecciòn Portuguesa)

Skyrunner®World Series ranking (extract)

Men
1. Ricardo Mejia (MEX)  266 points
2. Paolo Larger (ITA)  230 points
3. Fulvio Dapit (ITA)  194 points

Women
1. Stephanie  Jimenez (AND) 322 points
2. Emanuela Brizio (ITA)  300 points
3. Rosa Madureira (POR)  266 points

Teams
1. Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team
2. Valetudo Skyrunning Italia
3. Euskal Herriko Selekzioa

Click here for full  race results and ranking