Here is a quick update I got Eric today after they finished Mezzalama. Photos are coming.
The race went off despite only a 10h weather window between storms which the organizers nailed perfectly. Mezzalama lived up to its reputation of atrocious weather with 80+kph winds in the alpine – difficult to stand/move at times. We skied much of the race in puff jackets and warm-up pants. Sun came out though and the course was run in full.
This was hands down the most amazing course I have ever seen! There were fairly serious technical sections all above 3800m with views of the Matterhorn etc…
Team Italy 1 (Matteo Eydallin, Michele Boscacci, Damiano Lenzi) lead from the start with Team Italy 2 (Robert Antonioli, Lorenzo Holzknecht, Manfred Reichegger) pushing close behind until they pulled away for good mid-race. Anton Palzer’s team finished in third only 17sec behind. The Italians seem to have this race dialed in every way possible.
For women, an international team consisting of Emelie Forsberg (SWE), Axelle Mollaret (FRA), Jennifer Fiechter (SWI) finally beat the always winning duo Laetitia Roux (FRA) and Mireia Miro (SPA) who were joined by Séverine Pont Combe (SWI) which was cool to see. A Spanish team was third but way behind.
» Full results from 2015 Mezzalama
Our race
Pascal Egli (SWI) and I lost Lars Erik (SWE), our original teammate, because of the change of date but took on a young Slovak Peter Volnar. He hammered along without complaint on the ups and led our rope on the descents. We made some minor technical and clothing errors but raced a smooth race overall.
I had a low point on the Castore Ridge but the majority of the race was behind us. We rallied the last descent on fresh power giving way to spring corn and finished 13th – something we were more than satisfied with!
Here is Eric summing up his experienced right after crossing the line:
Now we drive back to Chamonix and pack up and tomorrow morning fly back to Canada! Fucking awesome way to cap a spectacular season. 🙂
Congrats boys! And chapeau to a superb season Eric!