VERTICAL FENIS | Sportdimontagna.com

In the space of a few days, the best Italian climb-only specialists are ready to return to the competition, awaited by the seventh edition of the Vertical Fénis, for the second time linked to the memory of Beppe Brunier, creator together with a large group of event volunteers which continues to confirm extraordinary appreciation from athletes and simple enthusiasts.

The sold-out of registrations was reached more than two months before the start: next Wednesday 750 athletes will be competing in the Vertical test, to which must be added the 120 registered for the MiniTrail and the 70 for the VerticalKid reserved for under 16s. Truly remarkable numbers, considering also the long waiting list: the most attended Vertical in Italy is taking place in Fénis, a fact now.

There will be two heats in the classic race, which will be run over the now traditional distance of 5300 meters – with 1040 meters of altitude difference – which separates the Tsanté de Bouva green area from the 1560 meters of altitude of Les Druges. With the group of the fastest athletes starting at 10.15, forty-five minutes after the first heat, the challenge will also be against the clock, to try to touch up the records of the Irish Sarah Mc Cormack (46.17 in 2023) and the Turin Andrea Rostan ( 38.41 in 2024).

The blue athlete from Atletica Saluzzo will be one of those specially observed, he won here in the rain last year, but coming back from an eighth place in the Prelà test which certainly cannot have satisfied him. With Rostan, other important men for the only up in Italy will try to make up for the half-disappointment in Liguria. Starting with the Friulian Tiziano Moia (Gemonarchitettura), third here in 2023, and Henri Aymonod, from the Aosta Valley flying the US Malonno flag, to then move on to the already silver world champion of Short Ttrail Francesco Puppi (Atl. Valle Brembana), already two on these paths times on the podium, but so far never a winner.

Among this lot of important names, however, the presence of Andrea Elia (La Recastello Radici Group) stands out, dominating the first European selection test only six days ago and intent on confirming his excellent form also in Fénis.

Also worthy of high consideration are the Cagnati couple, Luca and Lorenzo, both bearers of Atletica Valli Bergamasche, as well as the Italian ski mountaineer Alex Oberbacher (Gherdenia Runners) and the former biathlete Michael Galassi (US Aldo Moro). Also at the start is the marathon runner René Cuneaz (Gp Parco Alpi Apuane), while the Dutchman Jasper Boot, the Irishman Ian Conroy and the Belgian Matthias Janssen arrive to guarantee an international tone, all looking for performances that are worth their while for their technicians. a European convocation.

Among the over two hundred women at the start, last year’s winner Vivien Bonzi finally takes over. After Prelà’s second place, the Bergamo girl from La Recastello is aiming straight for the Italian Lanzada Championships next weekend, ideally leaving room for other top Italians of recent years. With Valeria Roffino (Fiamme Azzurre) from Biella, dominator of the first selection test after seasons dedicated to cross-country and track, making her debut on the steep slopes of Fénis, prediction favorites also directed towards Gloria Giudici (Atl. Valle Brembana), Elisa Sortini (Atl. Alta Valtellina) and Alessia Scaini (Sa Valchiese). Aosta Valley hopes linked to the already bronze junior world champion Axelle Vicari (Cus Pro Patria Milano), returning after several physical problems, while Chiara Giovando (Pegarun), Martina Cumerlato (Gherdenia Runners), Anna Lena Hofer (Sc Merano) are also aiming for a prestigious result ) and Benedetta Broggi (Sport Project Vco). Also competing is the Belgian Charlotte Cotton, already a good protagonist here in the last edition.

Guaranteed competitive show, as well as numbers, music and celebration under the pavilions of Tsanté de Bouva. Just a few spells, that one, for what it’s worth, aimed at the weather conditions.

(Credit ph: Davide Verthuy)

1970-01-01 00:00:00
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