ASICS FUJI TRAIL TEAM REPORT #11

 Another weekend of extraordinary intensity. 

But first a word about a tragedy: a runner died in the mountains on the Haut Giffre Ultra Trail, in the French Alps. Terrible weather conditions at 2600 metres during the first night and a highly technical course were the cause of this tragedy. Mathieu Clément, ASICS FUJI TRAIL TEAM who was leading the race, had a difficult time of it, despite his extensive mountain experience, before the race was cancelled. The staff on site were in contact with him and brought him safely back to his hotel. We must all bear in mind that mountain racing can be dangerous, so we must remain humble and not hesitate to give up if necessary. Life and health are above all else.

 Otherwise, the team is doing well: Sara has resumed training and is doing well, Kirsteen, who was seriously ill this winter, made her comeback and took a fine 4th place in an UTMB event, and Maude is looking after her tendonitis with experience .... 

And on the results front, there were more great performances, in particular another Ultra success on the Zugspitz Ultra Trail , the most important race in Germany, for Esther our "Austrian machine",  2nd and 3rd places for Ben and Val in Andorra by UTMB, on extremely difficult courses .... and, last but not least, a flash of genius from Lukas on his first UTMB world series title!

ZUGSPITZ TRAIL                   

Esther FELLHOFER

All ultra-endurance athletes have huge problems with fuel, and Esther's biggest problem on an ultra is having enough Balisto, her fuel....Simple, effective !!!

 This is the case, she starts cautiously, then takes the lead among the girls, then enters the top 15 overall ... history has repeated itself once again, bravo and respect Esther!.  

You can follow Esther's finish here : https://www.instagram.com/p/C8O7EO9tbWk/?hl=fr   

and find out the real story of her race here:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8VS2UNNP0C/?img_index=1

ANDORRA BY UTMB   105KM

Ben DIHMAN

The outgoing winner of the race, Ben was ready to repeat his feat on this difficult event... and well, it was a close call. 

While he was co-leader of the race, intestinal problems caused him to lose a few precious minutes... at this level, it was impossible to come back! Despite everything, it's an excellent result that shows Ben's consistency among the top athletes, after his victory in Madeira. An amazing talent, always cool, a hard worker and a great communicator, well done Ben! https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UbOkQtFYR/?img_index=1

ANDORRA BY UTMB   80 KM

Valentin BENARD

"It's not bad, but I want to win it one day! "said Val on his arrival. He loves this crazy course, he's the runner from the flat country, but this 3rd place is a success and shows, after his poor performance on Transvulcania, that Val is one of the best over 10 hours of racing. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8PJPSaNTkL/?img_index=1

ANDORRA BY UTMB   50KM

Genis PORQUERAS

 A consistent runner with an enormous finish - that's what Genis is all about! Once again, on an extremely vertical course, he showed, with this 4th place, that his range of performances is complete. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8PbWYWIjn6/?hl=fr 

 TRAIL SAINT JAQUES by UTMB    Les chibottes 20K            

Lukas EHERLE

We'd barely recovered from his excellent European Championships (2nd and 3rd elite at just 19 years of age) and now we've had another shock. For his first UTMB World series, he won ahead of all the specialists, including Alex, one of his team-mates. 

Warning, the video of the finish is at real speed.... the series is in progress ! .https://www.instagram.com/p/C8PlrU2tM7_/?hl=fr 

 TRAIL SAINT JAQUES by UTMB   Les chibottes 20K           

Alexandre MEYLEU

A great performance from Alex, who is in the game once again this year, on the routes he loves, taking a huge 3rd place, completing this collective success!  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8PbWYWIjn6/?hl=fr

 TRAIL SAINT JAQUES by UTMB           Maratrail           

Kirsteen WELCH

A little smile has returned and we're pleased with that. 

Seriously ill this winter, Kirsteen has been questioning his ability to return to a high level. After a few good weeks of training, she took all the risks by making her comeback on the UTMB World Series. She set off with the leaders, but faltered a little in the middle of the race, before putting in a good finish.

 It's all very pleasing and we wish her all the best in the future.  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Rj-b2N8S0/?hl=fr&img_index=4

NEIRIVUE MOLESON 

Max DRION

  Switzerland is a country apart: while new formats and labels are developing all over the world, the classics of the Swiss mountain running calendar are holding their own and remain races with an incredible level of athleticism.  

Max showed that he had made a good transition from skimo to trail running and took an excellent 3rd place, so the summer's looking good! https://www.instagram.com/stories/maximiliendrion/3391586180959300979/?hl=fr

 IGUALEJA SKYRACE 

Dimas PEIRERA

Another podium finish on this very difficult Spanish Cup, a technical course with a slope, everything that Dimas appreciates, well done mate!  

LEDROSKY TEMAZO

Alessia SCAINI 

Alessia loves the Lac de Garde and her slope.... she had plenty to smile about on this Sky race and takes a fine 3rd place and promises us a great summer!. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8U6xwpiqC_/?img_index=1

“ROCKIN’ BEAR” MYOKO TRAIL RUNNING RACE 

Yuta  YOKUSHI

Another success for Yuta on the beautiful courses at Myoko Trail , who is repeating her fine performances and showing good progress on the 50 K format, where his speed (PB 2.16 on the marathon) gives her great speed ....https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UEpk4SSCo/ 

RATSCHINGS MOUNTAIN TRAILS

Martina CUMERLATO

.The Italian Tyrol has its own classic races, dating back much further than the development of trail running in Europe. All types of mountaineers, skiers and runners, compete in races of the highest level in exceptional settings. 

A fine podium finish for Marti on the mountains she loves...

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Rp6UKtcTh/?img_index=7

Tschirgantskyrun by Asics

Benedikt HOFFMAN  

At this event supported by ASICS, in the beautiful mountains of the German Tyrol, Benedikt did the job once again and it's never easy to win at home! An efficient run and then more energy to go running with our Frontrunners, always on top Bene https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UBGpoNF0N/?img_index=1

ASICS FUJI CAMP SAMOENS                      

 Photo https://www.instagram.com/jules_pics13/?hl=fr

The first dates of our tour of the Alpine resorts organised by ASICS France, the concept born in Chamonix last year is a confirmed success, with 350 boot tests hosted under our now famous Fuji Camp tepe, and soon we'll be heading to Valmorel, Alpe d'Huez and then Méribel. 

 TRAIL ELITE FACTORY OUEST Trail des cascades     

Photo P Gouvenou;

The 5th season of our academy: the TRAIL ELITE FACTORY organised in partnership with IRUN has been launched looking for new talents . 

A great success for the 1st round organised in Normandy on the Trail des Cascades : 20 candidates were shortlisted and we selected the first two girls and the first 2 boys to join the WEST group of the academy, with Dorian LOUVET, who a team athlete, as mentor. (who took part and won the race!) 

Off to the Pyrenees for round 2 next week .... https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023082959322347/?hl=fr

Provisional results 2024

##58 victories

Coming soon... Mauritius by UTMB, Lavaredo by UTMB ...