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Pan-American Championships – What you need to know!

 
Nice and cold weather, extremely good snow conditions, amazing landscapes and a friendly atmosphere: this was the setting of the three races held during less than 48 hours at Lake Louise, Alberta. These 2018 ISMF Pan-American Championships were organized by the Alpine Club of Canada. They unfolded while Calgary bid for the Olympic Games of 2026, rising the possibility for Ski-mountaineering to be first represented there if the town got nominated.

The first race started on March 23 with 40 competitors from Canada and the USA, who climbed an excruciating track with a elevation difference of 500 metres.
 
The race took place among Lake Louise slopes, in the middle of beautiful larches. The US racer Rory Kelly indisputably won this race within Men’s category, and fellow countrywoman Sierra Anderson for her own. Two Canadian Cadets, Ema Chlepkova and Findlay Eyrewon their qualification for the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games.

Sprint race followed on Saturday, with a gentle uphill which allowed to climb fast, and a descent enabling to overtake easily. In the Men’s Final heat, Canadian Nick Elson pulled ahead of the USA’s Eric Carter, and Rory Kellytook the third place. The Canadian sprint specialist Kylee Ohler won the Women’s Final. USA’s Morgan Fortin and Canadian Noah Schuhprevailed in their respective Cadet categories.
Early Sunday morning, the Individual Race started on a cold and clear day with no wind. Racers followed a picturesque itinerary of 1740 metres elevation in Senior category. The best male racers of these championships contested in a tight fight, with US Carter and Canadian Elson leading the race right from the middle and  being decided among at the arrival on the basis of a hundredth of a second only.

The Combined ranking upon that result placed Nick Elson at the first position. The US racer Sierra Anderson led her race right from the first uphill, also grabbing top spot in the Combined Women’s Rank.

Both Canada and the United States therefore conquered the last two quotas left to qualify for the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games during these Pan-American Championships. 2019 World Championships will be next and last Qualification opportunity for L2020 YOG!
Don’t miss the 2018 World Ski-Mountaineering Festival!
From the 11th to the 16th of May, World Ski-Mountaineering Masters will be organized by the ISMF in collaboration with the Asian Ski-Mountaineering Federation (ASMF), the Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA), the Sport Bureau of Qinghai Province, and the People’s Government of Haibei Autonomous Prefecture. This event is hosted in Mt. Gangshika, Qinghai Province, and all Federations are invited to join. An ISMF Series of Sprint and Vertical races will be organized by the CMA at the same time.
            
So much enthusiasm and involvement 
at the competitions of La Grande Course!
LGC 2018 events saw wide participation of top worldwide athletes and champions. 
We witnessed the triumph of Michele Boscacci during Altitoy, Pierra Menta and Tour du Rutor LCG races. He reached the top spot of the current LGC ranking, followed by Eydallin Matteo and Nadir Maguet. Into women’s category, the French Axelle Mollaret established herself as the undisputed queen. She now shares the podium with the Swiss Jennifer Fiechter in second position, and with the Italian Katia Tomatis.
The Swiss Julien Ançay and the French Arthur Blanc shone among juniors. Olesia Ronzon and Alessia Re won the junior women’s race. A positive mention must be given to the Swiss cadets Léo Besson and Tobias Donnet.
As a reminder, LGC points are also valid for the ISMF World Ranking, thanks to the partnership between La Grande Course and the ISMF.
The last meeting within LGC is scheduled for April the 20th at the Patrouille des Glaciers in Switzerland .

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