The International SkyRace 2007
6th International SkyRace Valmalenco-Valposchiavo, Italy
20.06.2007
In Poschiavo’s “Plaza da Cumün�, there were standing ovations for Marco De Gasperi and Angela Baronchelli. After a competition of supreme quality, the standard-bearers of Forestale Roma and Skyrunning San Pellegrino have been crowned European Skyrunning Champions of 2007.For the five-times mountain-running champion, this race, starting in Italy and finishing in Switzerland, was a triumphant display, culminating in a new course record of 2.32,03. At the front from the start in order to dictate the speed, De Gasperi moved into first place at “Cima Sassa�, taking with him the Catalan, Roc Augusti, and Ricardo Meija, from Mexico. At Alpe Musella, the leader’s continued forcing of the pace stretched the gap between him and his immediate pursuers. Meija, the “Mexican chamois�, and Augusti, last year’s winner of the event, in second and third place respectively, were carrying a deficit of two minutes. An even greater gap separated Augusti and the battler from Val D’Aosta, Dennis Brunod. At Campagneda, the highest point of the race, super “Dega� pushed the accelerator to the floor, taking around two minutes off the previous hill run record. The descent towards the finishing line in Poschiavo was a supreme display which saw him parading between the two wings of the crowd.
“I am really delighted,� was his immediate reaction, “and I dedicate this victory to the director of the event, Nicolao Lanfranchi. It is thanks to him that I came to run here in Poschiavo.� Analysing his resounding performance, and wearing the logo of his sponsors, Rigamonti Costruzioni spa, the new European champion continued: “I wasn’t sure about my ability to stay the distance. That’s why I took up the pace of the leaders, but at Cima Sassa I was already on my own. I carried on with my own rhythm, and that was the right way to handle it. In fact, this allowed me to garner some precious seconds for when fatigue started to have an effect.See All Event Posts
