Lluís Puigvert claimed the absolute men’s vertical kilometer world title at the Skyrunning World Championships in La Gomera, Spain, completing the 4.9-kilometer course with 950 meters of positive elevation gain in 36 minutes and 37 seconds. At just 21 years old, the Catalan runner secured his breakthrough senior international victory in the opening event of the weekend competition.
Climbing From the Gavarres to the World Summit
The triumph on the Canary Island marks a milestone for Puigvert, who hails from Girona and transitioned into mountain running from hockey during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to sources, his rapid ascent through the sport included a Spanish cadet title in 2021 before capturing youth world titles in vertical, sky, and combined disciplines by 2023. Across his developmental career from 2023 through 2026, he accumulated 12 youth world titles, concluding that phase earlier this year at the youth championships in Croatia with under-23 golds in sky and combined events alongside a vertical silver medal.
A Tactful Ascent and Tense Finish in La Gomera
Puigvert navigated the demanding 4.9-kilometer route by biding his time within the lead pack before making a decisive surge on the final steep wall roughly 1.5 kilometers from the finish line. Though Italy’s Luca Del Pero briefly managed to pass him, Puigvert dug deep on the grueling climb to recapture the lead and cross the line first.
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“I still can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true,” Puigvert said. “I knew I was arriving in very good shape, that I had worked very well during the summer and that it could go well. From the start I noticed I had good legs, that my body was responding well, and I placed myself with the leading group.”
Men’s and Women’s Podiums at the Skyrunning Opener
Puigvert’s winning time of 36 minutes and 37 seconds held off a hard-charging field. Spain’s José Antonio Bellido claimed the silver medal just 13 seconds back with a time of 36 minutes and 50 seconds, while Italy’s Luca Del Pero rounded out the men’s podium by taking bronze in 37 minutes and 8 seconds.
In the women’s division, Switzerland’s Paola Stampanoni captured the world title with a time of 44 minutes and 34 seconds. The Netherlands’ Everarda Cornelia Van Dongen finished second in 44 minutes and 43 seconds, and Italy’s Benedetta Broggi took third place in 45 minutes and 21 seconds.
Strong Start for the Spanish National Selection
The opening day of the championships yielded broad success for the Spanish delegation beyond Puigvert’s gold and Bellido’s silver. Marcos Villamuera secured a fourth-place finish in the men’s race. In the women’s event, Naiara Irigoyen narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish, while local Canarian runner Moana Lilly Kehres placed inside the top ten.
