As predicted, Spain came out on top again and secured seven medals – four gold – of the 18 at stake in today’s VERTICAL discipline at the fifth edition of the Youth Skyrunning World Championships in L’Aquila, Italy.
Seven countries took home medals – Spain, Norway, Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Andorra and Switzerland. The VERTICAL course was held for the fourth time at the Gran Sasso Vertical, a classical Vertical Kilometer® 3.8 km long and a lung-busting 1,033m vertical climb, all the more challenging due to the high temperatures.
Daniel Osanz in the U23 category stole the show yet again, closing in 36’36”, but left his own course record of 34’52” intact. He’s the new star on the international stage too. After taking home his seventh medal at the Youth Championships, he clinched a silver medal for the VERTICAL at the recent 2020 Skyrunning World Championships in Spain.
“I’m very happy for this seventh medal at the Youth World Championships,” said Osanz. “Winning a gold on such a difficult day was hard. All eyes were on me and the heat didn’t help. The level was higher than ever but despite the tough competition, I did it!”
Norway is on the upward climb with a strong first presence in 2019 and today secured a gold, a silver, and a bronze. The U23 men’s race was very tight with newcomer Kasper Fosser from Norway second, just 13” short of the gold medal. Third was Switzerland’s Daniele Fontana, who beat fellow countryman Jonas Soldini by 12”.
Czech runner Barbora Macurova dominated the women’s U23 race with more than 2’30” over the silver medallist Anna Guirado from Spain. The bronze went to Italian Martina Bilora.
Two of Spain’s four gold medals were earned in the Youth B category with Albert Perez, third overall, who beat Italian Lorenzo Rota Mayr and Norwegian Trym Dalset.
Spain’s Moana Kehres crushed the women’s race, winning with almost four minutes over Hungarian Luca Nementh, who clinched another silver medal in 2019. Italy’s Luisa Valenti from Italy took the bronze.
The Youth A category now includes athletes aged 15-17, so a big applause to these young contenders. The biggest surprise came today from two rising stars: Iu Net Puig from Spain, fourth overall in a superb 39’17” (43” off the standing category record) and Ida Waldal from Norway who was the fastest woman overall in 47’07”, 3’35” off the women’s record.
“It was a really fun race, a nice course with a great atmosphere and many people cheering at the finish!” commented Waldal. “I did try my best but was a bit surprised how good the result was!”
The VERTICAL discipline is valid for the Combined title together with the results of next Sunday’s SKY discipline. A total of 54 medals are at stake, distributed across three age group categories: Youth A (15-17), Youth B (18-20) and U23 (21-23). Individual medals will be awarded to the winners of each event.
After a day of rest and celebration of national colours at the opening ceremony, Saturday, Sunday will be the turn of the SKY discipline. While Youth A athletes will run on a reduced course, Youth B and U23 will test the tough full course of the Gran Sasso SkyRace®, 23 km and 2,369m vertical climb. The records to beat on the full course belong to Spain’s Claudia Sabata in 3h04’28”and Switzerland’s Roberto Delorenzi, 2h23’16”.
The Youth Skyrunning World Championships, held annually since 2016, are aimed at developing and promoting the sport for the future and are supported in part by contributions from ISF members. The Championships are organised in collaboration with the Italian Skyrunning Federation (FISKY). WADA anti-doping tests will be carried out.
Tune in on Sunday and follow the live tracking here.
Gran Sasso Vertical results
Vertical U23 Men
- Daniel Osanz (ESP) – 36’36”
- Kasper Fosser (NOR) – 36’49”
- Daniele Fontana (SUI) – 39’27”
Vertical U23 Women
- Barbora Macurova (CZE) – 47’21”
- Anna Guirado (ESP) – 50’00”
- Martina Bilora (ITA) – 52’10”
Youth B Men
- Albert Perez (ESP) – 38’35”
- Lorenzo Rota Martir (ITA) – 40’37”
- Trym Dalset Lødøen (NOR) – 42’06”
Youth B Women
- Moana Kehres (ESP) – 50’08”
- Luca Nemeth (HUN) – 53’57”
- Luisa Valenti (ITA) – 55’12”
Youth A Men
- Iu Net Puig (ESP) – 39’17”
- Jan Castillo (ESP) – 39’46”
- Max PALMITJAVILA (AND) – 44’27”
Youth A Women
- Ida Waldal (NOR) – 47’07”
- Gabriela Lasalle (ESP) – 53’55”
- Lea Ancion (AND) – 55’21”
