Emelie Forsberg is back on her skis and ready for one of the main goals of this season: Pierra Menta.
The event, a must on all mountain skiers’ calendars, will be this coming Wednesday, March 11th, and will go on until Saturday 14th across the French Alps. Four stages that will together make a climb of 10,000 meters and will put the endurance and suffering of all skiers to the test. In addition, the Pierra Menta forms part of the World Cup long distance races, which will definitely add a plus of competitiveness to it.
Emelie Forsberg will team up with frencwoman Axelle Mollaret. Mollaret is one of the fittest skiers this season, scoring good results in all the competitions. Emelie explained: “I’m very excited to have Axelle running with me. We have a similar level and we understand each other and this is very great. I really enjoy team races, the cooperation, and to be able to help each other”
The Pierra Menta primes itself this 2015 to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. For this, there has been a change in the dates and there will be a special stage on day one. Winners of previous editions as well as living legends of ski mountaineering have been invited to take part in this celebration. Therefore, the race will start on Wednesday instead of Thursday. This first stage, which will mean the first 1,600m climb for the athletes, will be held around the Planay resort.
The next two stages will follow the traditional route. On Thursday, participants will have to climb up peaks such as Vache Rouge (2,379m) and the Big Combe (2,175m) and, on Friday, others like Col de la Pierra Menta (2,500m) or Mont Con (2,540m). The last stage is the most awaited by the lovers of this event. More than 4,000 people will cheer on the athletes on top of the Grand Mont (2,380m), the highest point of the race.
More than 300 teams are expected on the irdeparture line. Emelie and Axelle will have strong competitors to face. Among them, the duo Laetitia Roux and Mireia Miró who come back to Pierra Menta to try to repeat their victory in 2013 or also the Swiss team Séverine Pont Combe and Jennifer Fietcher as well as Italians Martina Valmassoi and Katia Tomatis.
For Emelie Forsberg, the key is: “I think it will be extremely important to measure our strength and no the be burned after the first day. I’ll try to give my best everyday but I’ll also try to eat and drink a lot during and after the race to be able to recover. In any case I’m really looking forward to the race, I can’t choose one stage, I think they will all be amazing!”
First test for skiers will be this next Wednesday.
Emelie Forsberg: http://www.emelieforsberg.com/
Crédito foto: ISMF Press Office