Mezzalama Trophy 2019 / The hardest edition ever

The most difficult Mezzlama ski mountaineering competition was won by the Italians Robert Antonioli, Michele Boscacci and Matteo Eydallin. France’s Lorna Bonnel and Axelle Mollaret and Italy’s Alba de Silvestro dominated the women’s race. Mezzalama 2019 was harsh to say the least, with polar temperatures, biting winds and poor visibility due to fog and sleet lashing both the ski mountaineers as they darted across the mountains and the staff of mountain guides and volunteers as they ensured safety along the Monte Rosa glaciers. Taking place once every two years since 1997, race director Adriano Favre and his staff could not recall a more demanding competition in modern times than this XXII edition. Probably though the classic "white marathon” that unfolded yesterday was the most demanding of all times, ever since the first one dating back to 1933.

Never before had prohibitive conditions forced organisers to bypass the three 4000ers, ie Castore (4126m) and Naso del Lyskamm (4272m), the two pillars of this legendary high altitude ski mountaineering competition, and of course  Roccia della scoperta (4177m) which had been planned in order to remember the 1778 first ascent. The highest and most difficult section of the race was the stretch between Colle del Breithorn (3818m) and Passo di Verra (3844m); these usually relatively easy kilometres at altitude were rendered absolutely hellish by the lashing winds.

As a result of these conditions, about seventy teams failed to reach the cut-off checkpoints in time. The physical fitness and mental determination of the favourites stood out even more than ever from the masses, with 279 teams at the start totalling 837 athletes from 18 nations. The battle for first place was expected between the Italian trio Robert Antonioli, Michele Boscacci and Matteo Eydallin, and Spanish champion Kilian Jornet Burgada who had teamed up with the Austrians Armin Hoeft and Jakob Hermann, but once again it was the Italian military corps athletes who nailed the race. The trio led right from the outset and finished after 4:45:30, while Switzerland’s Werner Marti and Martin Anthamatten and Italy’s William Boffelli clocked in just 2:51 later to snatch silver, forcing Jornet Burgada, Hoeft and Hermann to settle for third.

In the women’s competition France’s Lorna Bonnel and Axelle Mollaret and Italy’s Alba de Silvestro dominated the race as predicted, crossing the finishing line after 5:59:48.

It’s worth noting that due to the route changes these times cannot be compared to previous editions. Nevertheless, with the circumvention of he Castore, Naso del Lyskamm and Roccia della Scoperta, the vertical gain was +3400 meters and equivalent therefore to the classic route.

MALE
1. C. S. Esercito: Michele Boscacci (IT), Robert Antonioli (IT), Matteo Eydallin (IT) 04:45:30
2. TEAM ATK: Werner Marti (CH), William Boffelli (IT), Martin Anthamatten (CH) 04:48:21
3. Kilian with the Austrian's: Jakob Herrmann (AT), Armin Hoefl (AT), Kilian Jornet Burgada (ES) 04:49:21
4. Puissance: Xavier Gachet (FR), Samuel Equy (FR), William Bon Mardion (FR) 05:08:28
5. LanfraObyAymo Team Laspo: Henri Aymonod (IT), Alex Oberbacher (IT), Pietro Lanfranchi (IT) 05:22:04

FEMALE
1. Esercito France: Axelle Mollaret (FR), Alba De Silvestro (IT), Lorna Bonnel (FR) 05:59:43
2. C.S. Esercito CAMP: Giulia Murada (IT), Ilaria Veronese (IT), Mara Martini (IT) 06:42:31
3. Nicolini Ghirardi Balzarini: Elena Nicolini (IT), Bianca Balzarini (IT), Corinna Ghirardi (IT) 06:43:02
4. Dynafit Girls: Veronika Mayerhofer ( AT), Malene Blikken Haukøy (NO), Johanna Hiemer (AT) 07:13:05
5. Bielerine & Gio: Katrin Bieler (IT), Giorgia Felicetti (IT), Annie Bieler (IT) 07:27:21

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