Competitors get underway in the timed race
The inaugural Trace de Grands ski touring event, held in Chamonix recently, attracted more than 400 competitors who participated in three different races in the French ski area depending on their abilities.
The main flagship timed race – Ski mountaineering with the TDG 65 (V+ 2000m) – started from Plan Joran station (1,252m) and took in Lognan, Argentière basin and the Point de Vue, a passage along the Rachasses ridge (skis on back), and the summit of the Aiguille des Grands Montets (3296m). It finished with a freeride descent back down to Lognan.
Alexis Sevennec who completed the course in 1h 48min 32s won the men’s section and Valentine Fabre finished first on the women’s race in a time of 2h 31min 35s.
Jonathan Bracey, an English mountain guide based in Chamonix, finished the men’s race in an impressive 12th place, completing the ascent and descent in 2h 19 mins.
Several major athletes took part in the race including French ski mountaineers Laetitia Roux, Vivian Bruchez, and Ski Freeride World Champion Aurélien Ducroz.
A racer tackles the Rachasses ridge
But for many competitors it was their first ever race and the organisers were delighted that they achieved their main objective, to make it a convivial event for all.
Plans for another event in 2023 are already underway.
* Two of the top female finishers in the Trace de Grands, Valentine Fabre and Hillary Gerardi from Chamonix, recently featured in a special Skier & Snowboarder feature. You can read it by CLICKING HERE
Champion skier Aurélien Ducroz was one of the top athletes who took part in the first ever Trace de Grands
