Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Puy-Saint-Vincent – Pelvoux (France)
Today was the turn of the Individual race. The weather was colder than yesterday, with a cloudy sky and windy on the upper part of the track. However, these conditions did not affect the smooth running of the race.
The competition began with 39 U20 male athletes starting at 9:00, followed by 38 athletes U18 men at 9:40. At 9:50, 18 athletes U18 women took to the course, and the event concluded with 17 athletes U20 women. The official start list featured 112 athletes representing 17 nations.
Race highlights
Today was another shining day for China in the individual races. Despite the contenders giving their best efforts, Chinese athletes claimed three out of the four gold medals.
In the U20 category, the battle from start to finish was between Silvano Wolf (AUT) and Bu Luer (CHN), followed by Lorenzo Milesi (ITA). Wolf was the first to cross the finish line, but due to a three-minute penalty (missed gate before entering the transition zone), he was moved to third place. This promoted Milesi to second place.
In the U18 men’s race, Chinese athlete Gongsong Langjia dominated the competition. The battle for second and third place saw Kilian Rettensteiner and Walter Silas take the podium, after Aron Rodal (NOR) and Moritz (GER) got a penalty of three minutes (missed gate before entering the transition zone).
In the U18 women’s race, Italian athlete Giorgia Pollini led from the start and secured the victory. She was followed by McCall (USA), who delivered a brilliant performance, while Elena Beatrice Boboc from Romania completed the podium. Closing the day, the U20 women’s race featured another stellar performance from Yuzhen Cidan, who took the gold. She was followed by overall ranking leader Camille Maupoix in second place, while Laia Selles secured third despite battling a strong cough.
TOP 3 U20 Men
- BU LUER, CHN, 1:08:37
- Lorenzo Milesi, ITA, 1:10:57 (+2:20)
- Silvano Wolf, AUT, 1:11:16 (+3:00 penalty, +2:39)
TOP 3 U20 Women
- YUZHEN CIDAN, CHN, 1:08:17
- Camille Maupoix, FRA, 1:12:33 (+4:16)
- Laia Selles Sanchez, ESP, 1:15:03 (+6:46)
TOP 3 U18 Men
- GONGSONG LANGJIA, CHN, 0:50:24
- Kilian Rettensteiner, AUT, 0:52:25 (+2:01)
- Silas Walter, GER, 0:52:30 (+2:06)
TOP 3 U18 Women
- Giorgia Pollini, ITA, 1:04:26
- McCall Birkinshaw, USA, 1:04:44 (+0:18)
- Elena Beatrice Boboc, ROU, 1:07:58 (+0:30 penalty, +3:32)
ISMF Youth World Cup Final – Individual track
The track was composed of three uphill sections (A, B, and C).
- Uphill A was the longest, with an elevation gain of +400 meters. It was followed by a shorter downhill of +90 meters, featuring crisp snow and a bumpy downhill.
- Uphill B began with a conversion section, leading into a final steep straight-line segment (+280 meters), followed by the footpath section (+70 meters)—a long but steady climb to the upper part of the race. The second downhill started gently but soon turned into a hard-skied snow section (-360 meters), requiring athletes to control their skis carefully and conserve energy.
Uphill C, after passing through the feed zone, they faced +90 meters, a short but intense zigzag section leading into the final descent (-390 meters). The final descent started off fast and easy before entering a small forested section, where technical skiing skills became crucial for maintaining speed.
Category-Specific Course Adjustments:
U20 Men completed two loops on the second uphill (+290 meters plus the +70-meter footpath section).
U20 Women completed half of the second uphill (+200 meters).
U18 categories completed one full loop.
ISMF Youth World Cup Final – Upcoming races
- Sunday, March 30: Vertical Race 9.00-10.30 am TSF Préron & Crête Charlift 1200-2300m