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In the battle for third, Salomon Suisse victorious

Susan McKenzie / 18.05.2005

The strong skiers of Buff/Nike ACG spent most of the long cross country section chasing down Team Montrail, but several wrong turns in the snowstorm meant they were not able to overtake them until the end of the section.

“I was really proud that we managed to hold them off that long,� says Montrail’s Rebecca Rusch, whose team was the last team to complete the original full course. “We’re not exactly the strongest skiers.�

Montrail behind them, Buff/Nike ACG set its sights on Salomon Suisse. The Swiss/French team had once again been forced to stop after Francois Faloci grew dehydrated and too tired to continue. By the team the team reached the final Via Ferrata, Luc Beguin, who had been very sick on Day 2, was proving to be the strongest member of the team.

“When we arrived at the Via Ferrata, I was looking at them and thinking, ‘So, who is the sick one?\' He was so strong. When they saw us, you should have seen their faces. They were so surprised,� says Buff\'s Emma Roca.

Knowing third place would be taken by the team that hit the ropes first, Buff made a valiant effort to reach the base of the Via Ferrata ahead of Salomon. They arrived twenty seconds too late.

The next move was all strategy.See All Event Posts