13 March 2025

PIERRA MENTA 2025 Day Two: The Hosts Strengthen Their Leadership

Pierra Menta Day Two, the home athletes Xavier Gachet – William Bon Mardion take center stage. In the women's race, Lorna Bonnel - Axelle Mollaret continue their triumphant run. In the men's ranking, Mathéo Jacquemoud – Samuel Equi slip to second place, while Anselme Damevin – Nadir Maguet consolidate their third position. In the women's category, the positions on the remaining podium spots are reversed: Katie Shide – Martina Valmassoi climb to second place, while Laurie Renoton – Marie Pollet Villard drop to third.

THE SECOND STAGE:
As per tradition, the second day of Pierra Menta is one of the toughest, and the 39th edition was no exception. Despite highly uncertain weather conditions, the organizing committee had no doubts: a grueling 32 km stage with 3,000 meters of ascent spread across five climbs, featuring three foot sections where athletes had to carry their skis in their backpacks. The race started from the center of Arêches with a non-timed initial transfer section— a sort of parade of over 400 athletes through the village streets, where they were cheered on by the many passionate spectators gathered in the picturesque town of Haute-Savoie.

Once the race truly began, it was a fierce battle from start to finish. Despite the fatigue from the first day, the heavy snowfall in the early hours, and the sheer difficulty of the course that tested both the mental and physical endurance of the competitors, the second stage of the "Tour de France" of ski mountaineering saw world champions William Bon Mardion – Xavier Gachet claim victory, crossing the finish line in La Planay after 3h27’57”. A “monster” time that allowed them to put a 5’15” gap over Wednesday’s winners, Mathéo Jacquemoud – Samuel Equi. The new Franco-Italian duo Anselme Damevin – Nadir Maguet once again secured third place, finishing 13’32” behind the leaders.

In the French Beaufortain mountains, the solo dominance of Lorna Bonnel - Axelle Mollaret continued, taking first place in 4h17’31”, with an impressive lead of 1h15’03” over trail running champions Katie Shide - Martina Valmassoi (1st and 9th respectively at the 2024 UTMB World Final), who finished in 4h43’00”. Today’s third-place finishers, Laurie Renoton – Marie Pollet-Villard, completed their race in 4h52’49”.

Tomorrow, the competition resumes, and as usual, the Pierra Menta youth race will also begin, featuring an international lineup of under-20, under-18, and under-16 athletes… Stay Tuned!