Salomon 4 Trails

  • Germany (DEU)
  • Off-Road Running

A Technical Stage 2

News Release / 10.07.2014See All Event Posts Follow Event

Many racers seem to underestimate Stage Two. At first sight, the course neither beckons with praiseworthy peak elevations nor exceptional distance. However, what appears to be a rather unpretentious course between Ehrwald (AT) and Imst (AT) seems to have a capacity to make or break champions – and certainly manages to separate the sheep from the goats in the rear. Plenty of technical singletrack -particularly on Tschirgant Ridge and the ensuing 1,500 meters of steep downhill- tax many to the max. Clearly, the pros are used and prepared for such conditions as demonstrated in the daily ranking. Dimitrios Theodorakakos (GR) once again duked it out with Spaniard Iker Karrera at the very front but ultimately managed to keep his edge over the latter. Theodorakakos ran the course in a most formidable 3:52:45 hours which extended his lead by yet another 4 minutes. Iker Karrera arrived at the finish line after 3:56:40 hours on the trail, thereby managing to put some more distance between him and third-ranked Mirco Berner. 

Nuria Picas was able to provide a demonstration of her world-class running skills on today's course and handily won first place among the Women with a sizeable lead of 25 minutes on yesterday's winner Tina Fischl. What is more, the Spanish trail diva crossed the finish line as 5th overall, which seems nothing less than sensational.

Half way through the race, there is not much slack in sight for the racers. Tomorrow's all-Austrian stage from Imst to Landeck, near the Swiss border packs only a single climb and may be the shortest stage. Yet, in a dejà vu it'll require racers to recall much of the same skills as on today's course – difference being the lactic acid that continues to build up relentlessly.  

On account of threatening snow, today's course had been altered for the safety of the racers, which to the delight of many reduced the overall vertical and distance, respectively.  Dimitrios Theodorakakos claimed not having felt much of a reprieve: “This was much more strenuous than expected. The downhills were technically very challenging. I certainly hope that all participants will get through this all right”. His technical proficiencies cinched a second stage victory which Iker Karrera (Spain) felt unable to forestall in any way. The world-class runner bowed to his Greek colleague:  “I ran as fast as I could but was unable to keep up with Dimitrios' pace”. Mirco Berner once again demonstrated dogged determination although admittedly he had to fight with some early symptoms of fatigue.

Unwilling to speculate on the days to come, the junior among the leaders shared that “today proved much harder than the first stage. It'll be a tough nut to the finish in Samnaun, [Switzerland]”.   

Nobody was more deserving of the thundering applause and the boisterous celebration of athletic performance than Nuria Picas on Stage Two. Today's counterstrike gave her the confidence necessary for the remainder of the race. “This was the real Nuria Picas. Neither physically nor mentally did I fell well on Day One”. Tina Fischl didn't seem particularly surprised about being relegated to second place. “Right before the start I got really nervous, after having slept very poorly. So, I'm actually quite happy with second place. Nuria is a world-class athlete with lots more experience. And after all, the SALOMON 4 TRAILS is my first multi-stage competition”. Katharina Zipser lagged behind by 34 minutes but came in third place with a very satisfying performance. Barring any unexpected misfortune, the Austrian may just hang on to that ranking all the way to Switzerland. 

No shuffling among the leading Master Men! Swiss Iwan Schwarz continues to lead the field ahead of a strong Beat Lohner of Lichtenstein. The Senior Master Men also seem to have amicably settled the pecking order. Armin Bernard of Germany enjoys a comfortable lead of 18 minutes on Beat Bieri (SUI) and German trail legend Hans Hörmann. The latter had suffered an unexpected slump on Day One but seems to have recovered enough to defend third place in his category at the end of Stage Two.

Eva Färberböck (GER) won first place in the Master Womencategory in superior style. The German could easily afford a slower pace on towmorrow's penultimate stage as her lead of 35 minutes would almost guarantee a podium position this far into the race. Yet, fellow German Uta Jurkschat can be expected to give her best for an unlikely but still possible upset.

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