Celebrating the Vertical Kilometer® – 1,000m of pure uphill vertical climb – the Grand Finale of the VK OPEN Championships will be held for the first time on the island of Madeira, Portugal, on 13 October, 2024. The fourth edition of these unique championships counts nine races in eight countries across two continents.
From February to October, the races stretch from Brazil, to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Andorra, Bulgaria, Austria and Colombia.
World Champion titles and trophies will be awarded based on a maximum three races – two plus the Grand Finale where double points are assigned.
The Km Vertical do Fanal will welcome runners from across the globe up for the challenge from as far afield as Australia and USA. 155 athletes from 12 countries will compete in the Grand Finale including also Andorra, Belgium, Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and UK.
Top ranked names aiming for the double points include: Louis Dumas (FRA), Matteo Lora (ITA), Iain Best (AUS), Arnau Soldevila (AND), Ian Conroy (IRL), Corinna Ghirardi (ITA), Silvia Lara (ESP), Charlotte Cotton (BEL), Linabel Iramaia (BRA), Sara Rodrigues (POR).
The men’s VK OPEN ranking leader, Louis Dumas from France, was a silver medallist in the VERTICAL discipline at the 2023 Skyrunning European Championships and ninth in the recent World Championships. “Since the World Championships, the VK OPEN Grand Finale has been my main objective. I will continue to train these last few days and to give it all next Sunday.
“I didn’t expect to be leading the provisional ranking, but I’ll take this opportunity to prove to myself that I can deserve it! Whatever happens, it’s my first time in Madeira so I’ll enjoy the place, people and atmosphere and I have no doubt the race will be beautiful and well organized.”
Women’s leader is Italy’s Corinna Ghirardi who took a bronze medal in the Combined category at the World Championships. “The race season has been very long and so some tiredness is inevitable making everything more difficult…Despite this, I’ll grit my teeth and will give it everything to keep the lead and win the circuit!”
Silvia Lara from Spain, ranked second, placed sixth in the World Championships VERTICAL. “I’m really looking forward to travelling to Madeira and getting to know the island, and I’m even more looking forward to fighting as hard as I can in the final of the VK OPEN once again. I hope to arrive in good shape and maintain the form I had in the World Championships in Spain.”
Inspired by the classic ‘sea to sky’ skyrunning concept, the Km Vertical do Fanal course is just four kilometres long with 1,000m vertical climb starting in the village of Ribeira Funda and finishing by the Fanal Lagoon at 1,078m altitude. Set in the North West of the island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the area boasts spectacular views of cliffs and coves, black sand beaches, lava pools and forests in a natural park, a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.
The KM Vertical do Fanal, organized by Clube de Montanha do Funchal had its debut in 2010, this year celebrating the 12th edition with the VK OPEN Grand Finale. Organiser, André Ferreira, commented, “KV Fanal holds a special place for our organisation, being the first Vertical Kilometer (VK) race on Portuguese soil. Hosting the 2024 VK OPEN Championships Grand Finale is an incredible honour, not only for us but for the event itself. We hope everyone enjoys the breathtaking course and discovers the stunning wonders Madeira Island has to offer, all within such a short yet challenging distance.
This year, we look forward to seeing the 37’44” course record shattered once again, with fierce competition as athletes battle for the title.”
The countdown has begun for Sunday’s Grand Finale where the world’s top VK specialists will battle in this breathtaking playground, made to measure for lovers of the short, sweet but incredibly demanding Vertical Kilometer®.
2024 VK OPEN Championships
2024 VK OPEN Ranking
CC Certified Course Label
Race website
Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (FCMP)
