Mezzalama Trophy 2023 / Italians dominate most technical race course ever

On Saturday morning at 6:30 the Mezzalama Trophy set off from Breuil-Cervinia as the forecast spell of good weather allowed the 209 teams to compete without glitches. Only a layer of clouds at around 4000 meters kept the summits of Castor and Naso del Lyskamm hidden from view every now and then, while the weather on other 4000ers was better, enabling the athletes to see the spectacle of Monte Rosa which opened towards Capanna Margherita.

Three teams, Italy's Matteo Eydallin, Robert Antonioli and Davide Magnini, France's  Samuel Equy, Matheo Jacquemoud and Xavier Gachet, and the "dreamteam" comprised of Jakob Hermann, Werner Marti and Martin Anthamatten immediately tussled for the lead. During the climbs Colle del Teodulo and Breithorn none of the three teams took the initiative. Ascending to Breithorn the Italians were placed third,  but the fight for the final victory had yet to begin. Race tactics remained unchanged during the climb to the summit of Castore and the subsequent descent to the Quintino Sella refuge. Matteo Eydallin, Robert Antonioli and Davide Magnini began to make their intentions clear during the second half of the climb to Naso del Lyskamm, steering clear by a few meters. Just enough to give the Italians the psychological edge.

During the subsequent climb to Roccia della Scoperta the three Alpini, literally dragged upwards by Matteo Eydallin, increased their lead and managed to descend towards Capanna Gnifetti and to Rifugio Mantova with a good margin. On the final descent, finally free from having to be clipped to the safety rope, the three skied safely and enjoyed making clean and effective tracks. Matteo Eydallin, Robert Antonioli and Davide Magnini raced into Gressoney-La-Trinité they were welcomed by a huge crowd. The last 100 meters had to be covered on foot with skis strapped to their rucksacks, but the Alpini literally flew towards the finish line, stopping the clock after 4:55'49''. Samuel Equy, Matheo Jacquemoud and Xavier Gachet placed second, 2'44'' slower. Jakob Hermann, Werner Marti and Martin Anthamatten complete the podium with a total time of 5:03'24''. Fourth place went to Michele Boscacci, Nadir Maguet and Maximilien Drion Du Chapois, while fifth went to the Austrians Armin Hoefl, Daniel Ganahl and Paul Verbnjak.

It's worth noting that the Courmayeur Army Sports Center won the Mezzalama Trophy for the sixth time in the modern era of this "Glacier Marathon". The common denominator of all these six victories is, of course, Matteo Eydallin.

In the women's race Giulia Murada, Giulia Compagnoni and Alba De Silvestro led right from the outset, and were trailed bythe international team comprised of Marianna Jagercikova (SK), Elena Nicolini (ITA) and Iwona Januszyk (PL), and the Spanish/French team comprised of Nahia Quincoces (ES), Igone Campos Odriozola (ES) and Valentine Favre (FR). The Italians completed the course after 6:20'00'' while Jagercikova, Nicolini Januszyk finished second in 7:11'03''. The Spanish/French team placed third after 8:48'58''. With these results Nicolini won the overall La Grande Course circuit, along with Matteo Eydallin. This year the prestigious circuit included Pierra Menta, Altitoy Ternua, Adamello Ski Raid and the Mezzalama Trophy.

Info: www.trofeomezzalama.it

RESULS 2023
- Results Mezzalama Trophy 2023
- Results Mezzalama Trophy Jeunes