Media Information
First ever World Cup win for Robin Bussard in Villars; Harrop continues her wining streake
Villars-sur-Ollons, 2 February 2024 – Day of firsts in Villars-sur-Ollons, Switzerland, on the first day of competition of the ISMF World Cup Sprint race, with Swiss young rising star Robin Bussard (SUI) grabbing the gold medal. On the women’s race, it was Emily Harrop (FRA) dominating the race from the start, a fantastic hat-trick for the French skimo star that has won three races in just 7 days.
The day was magnificent in Villars, with over 100 athletes facing a technical, fast and tricky sprint circuit. The day started with a super strong Swiss team dominating the Heats on the men’s category -Arnaud Gasser, Thomas Bussard, Matteo Favre, Robin Bussard and Arno Lietha all making it to the semifinals. And the big surprise of the day was Oriol Cardona (ESP). The Spaniard, who has dominated the Sprint races this season, current World and European champion, was not able to make it to the semis, after finishing last on his heat after losing one ski on the diamonds.
Robin Bussard dominated his semifinal easily, while the second semi was won by Thibault Anselmet (FRA). Both securing their ticket to the final, they were accompanied by Arno Lietha, Thomas Bussard, Nicolo Canclini (ITA) and Maximilien Drion du Chapois (BEL).
Robin Bussard pushed hard from the start, and by the time the athletes were about to face the descent, the podium places were secured by the young Swiss, still a U23 athlete, while Anselmet finished in second place and Canclini rounded the podium. Fourth place for the Belgian athlete, Maximilien, while Arno Lietha and Robin’s twin brother, Thomas, was sixth.
The women’s race was easily dominated by Emily Harrop, who seems to be in incredible form after striking two golds just five days ago in Boi Taull ISMF World Cup -sprint and mixed relay-, and today in Villars-sur-Ollons winning her Heat, her semi final and the final.
She seemed to be unbeatable on the day, with Marianne Fatton (SUI), for much delight of the local crowds, grabbing the silver medal finishing four seconds behind the Frenchwoman. Celia Perillat-Pessey finished in the third place, exactly the same position she got in Boi Taull last week.
Tatjana Paller (GER), also a U23 athlete, finished in fourth place, followed on the finish line by Ana Alonso (ESP) and Katia Mascherona (ITA.