Ski Mountaineering World Cup: Ana Alonso Rodriguez - Oriol Cardona Coll win Mixed Relay in Val Martello

The weekend kicked off in Val Martello, Italy, with the Mixed Rela. The new Olympic discipline provides plenty of excitement throughout the race and 27 teams from 15 countries participated in the second-ever World Cup Mixed Relay.

The twelve fastest duos from the qualifying round made it to the finals. In accordance to the rules, only two teams per country were allowed to make it to the final, which meant that the third Swiss team, the third fastest in qualifying, did not proceed to the final.

Right from the start, the main battle was between Ana Alonso Rodriguez & Oriol Cardona Coll from Spain and Emily Harrop & Robin Galindo from France. The Spanish team built a lead in the first half of the race and then controlled it successfully throughout the second half. Ana Alonso Rodriguez won her first World Cup race and, together with Oriol Cardona Coll, is now one of the favourites for the upcoming World Championships in Spain.

"I know that with Oriol, we are a super team. I felt strong and had a good battle with Emily. On the second lap, I could keep a tiny gap for Oriol. It's my first victory, I'm so happy. Great for our confidence before the home World Championships," said Ana Alonso Rodriguez, the 28-year-old athlete from Granada.

Cardona Coll had won 6 World Cup races before today, but he stressed at the finish line that a team triumph is something unique:

"I had a small advantage before the last lap, but you never know what can happen, so I pushed till the finish. Ana and I will do the World Champs at home together, so we are very motivated for the Mixed Relay. Today's race also gave us confidence," explained the reigning European Sprint Champion.

Emily Harrop won the Mixed Relay in Val Thorens with Thibault Anselmet, who skipped today's race. She and teammate Robin Galindo finished second to secure the first senior World Cup podium for the Frenchman.

"It's incredible to race with Emily, she is so strong. I was not the strongest man today because Oriol is just top on this course, but she helped me a lot. The first podium feels great, it gives me confidence for tomorrow's race and the rest of the season" said Robin Galindo.

Caroline Ulrich and Matteo Favre of Switzerland took third place. 10 seconds behind them in 4th place were their compatriots Marianne Fatton and Florian Ulrich. Alba De Silvestro and Michele Boscacci of Italy rounded off the Top 5.

Caroline Ulrich, still only 20 years old , was all smiles after the race: "It was a tough race. In the beginning I felt good but lost time on transitions because of an arm injury, so it was not easy. But, in general, it was a good race with Matteo. We are happy to finish on the podium."

The week in Val Martello will wrap up with the Sprint race on Sunday. The qualification starts at 10:39 CET. The women's final is scheduled at 13:28, with the men's final at 13:41.

Info: www.marmotta-trophy.it

Link: www.ismf-ski.org, Scarpa, Karpos