ASICS FUJI TRAIL TEAM REPORT #17

UTMB week has come to an end and it's time to take stock.... buoyed by a successful first half to the season (132 races, 72 victories, including 13 UTMB World Series), the team went into this major event full of ambition: almost 35 athletes, a 12-strong technical and medical staff, product developers, content creation teams... we had some great moments and everyone gave their very best. 

We chose to be present at all the races during the week, with a declared objective: a podium finish every day in the short races and a top 10 finish in the long races, because this top 10 is now the equivalent of an Olympic final, given the level, the athletic density and the commitment. 

Imagine that 70% of the 20 favourites for the UTMB are DNF! 

In short, we failed on the TDS, with Esther and Simen dropping out 2 times when they were on the podium, and 3 times on the UTMB, with Ben and Mathieu in the running for a top 5 and a top 10. We need to take this reality on board and work to reduce the mysterious element of uncertainty that is inherent in ultra-distance racing. 

The other races were a great success. In the ETC, Maude and Julie took 2nd and 4th place, while Lukas crushed the race once again; in the OCC, Sara confirmed her renaissance and finished 4th, while Antonio took 3rd place, his 3rd consecutive podium finish here in Chamonix; finally, in the CCC, Andreu took a solid and well-deserved 6th place.

 A collective result of 3 top 10 finishes and 3 podiums that puts us in 4th place in the world, a result achieved thanks to the energy of everyone involved. 

All pictures by https://www.instagram.com/_albin_/?hl=fr

Our two athletes have a similar trajectory on this demanding TDS, they were extremely well prepared and motivated, a sure-fire approach and logically favourites. 

The race got off to a good start, with both of them in the leading group throughout the night, but in the heat of the Beaufortain, things took a turn for the worse: digestive problems, hyperthermia, then exhaustion ... they wouldn't see the Col de Joly!

 It was a difficult decision, but a reasonable one; to go any further would have been taking an unreasonable risk... but they'll be back!. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_T4hCFNFgm/?hl=fr&img_index=1   and https://www.instagram.com/p/C_JwCDTI1_v/?hl=fr

In his first year with the senior team, our "German Rocket" is putting in a string of performances, and is always there when he's needed. 

The level of this ETC was of an unrivalled density, with Lukas taking the lead from the start to win by 2 minutes, setting the new record for the event .... what else ? https://www.instagram.com/p/C_M8MV2tWxg/?hl=fr 

 Maude is on time once again, and despite an injury that's struggling to heal and a race on one leg, she's still on the podium .... We can't wait to see her run at 100% of her best!

 https://www.instagram.com/p/C_M8MV2tWxg/?hl=fr 

Things move fast for Julie, and so does her stride ... having joined the team this year after winning the TRAIL ELITE FACTORY, she confirmed her talent with the title of Elite French Champion, then followed up with a string of good international results . This 4th is confirmation of her talent and consistency at the highest level.

This man with the “regularity of a Japanese train”, always on time for the big events, this 3° place and his 3rd podium on this monument race in 3 years! Perfectly managing his pace, he was 14° , 4 minutes behind the leader at the foot of the Col de Balme, the judge of this race, and 2° at the summit 3 km later... Let Antonio comment on his race:💬 “OCC® was my main goal of the year. The hardest part was the end because I didn’t have much energy left, and the heat was really tough. But I’m very happy that all my hard work over the past months paid off. I’m very happy with the result.”. 

To run with Antonio :  https://www.instagram.com/p/C_QxCBANaOJ/?hl=fr

The revenge! 

Since her bout of pneumonia in May, Sara has turned her frustration into sheer energy, and she's put all her energy into getting back to her best...but the challenge was tough, and above all, the various health problems have prevented her from racing over 4 hours since June 2022.... and on the OCC she'll be taking on the world's best over 6 hours. 

This 4th place is therefore an achievement, the significance of which must be measured. Well done Sara, the future looks bright! .

To run with Sara:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Qc4eAs9KW/?hl=fr

Confirmation with another top 10 for “Tintii”, who had done things right with a 3-week stay at altitude at Cho Jo Camp.  An intelligent race, mastered with experience ! https://www.instagram.com/p/C_SErgBI1VN/?hl=fr&img_index=1

A job well done, that's what we can say about this day, spent in the avant post! Despite last year's failure, Andreu had decided to bet everything again on this race. 

He showed courage and determination, and this 6th place is a real success.  https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18014039882303694/?hl=fr

Things had got off to a good start and Ben was well on time for his D day! 

A year of perfect preparation, punctuated by major performances: Victory on the MIUT Madeira, 2nd on Andora by UTMB, Ben showed for 8 hours and more than 80 km that he was at his best, pointing out in the middle of the race in the leading group ....but then the machine jammed: gastric problems, inability to eat and drink for many hours ... without strength, overcome by the cold, it was necessary to give up and throw in the towel.

 A difficult period of mourning that Ben will be able to overcome, as we confidently set our sights on future goals as the year draws to a close! 
  https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18014039882303694/?hl=fr

In addition to the outstanding performances and failures described above, more than 30 ASICS athletes represented the brand with dignity during the utmb week with performances that are an important step in their progression, because understanding and familiarizing oneself with major competition takes time.

 Well done to Martina 13, Alessia 14, Romain 17 , Manon 18 , Admire 37  on the ETC; well done to Marcos 15, Genis 27 , Dorian 87 on the OCC; well done to Valentin 19° and Paul 38° on the CCC; well done to Roobie 746 on the TDS.... The future is yours!

We also need to pay particular attention to DNF, which are difficult moments for athletes and staff to accept; they're part of the quest for performance... we need to show solidarity, kindness and, of course, ask ourselves the right questions. We have no doubt about the ability of the team and its talented athletes to surmount these events. 

Respect and courage to Miguel DNF on the ETC, to Julia, Benedikt, Ronnie, Andrzej DNF on the CCC and to Mathieu et Jérôme DNF on the UTMB.. 

A great succes for ou TEST CENTER , a short report from @xavier from AFR : "In total this week it was : 9 collectives runs , 8 Yoga sessions , 1800 visitors 

1400 testing (vs 1K obj), 1000 juices offered to our visitors , 1000 pictures taken on our photobooth , 1 great movie night 

 Here's a great video on asics running channel which resume pretty well what is happening on the camp ! : https://www.instagram.com/p/C_LdfPztMRH/"

Provisional results 2024

 ##73 VICTORIES ( 14 UTWT)

Coming soon... Wildstrubel by UTMB  ...