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Home Heroes Shine in ISMF World Cup Schladming
Schladming, 1 March 2024 – The Vertical races of the 2024 ISMF World Cup in Schladming showed two things: first one, that is not easy to beat the Austrian women at home, and second, that is also not easy to beat Remi Bonnet on a vertical race, despite the weather or snow conditions. The Swiss collected another gold medal on what looked to be a relatively easy day for him, while Sarah Dreier and Johanna Hiemer delighted the local crowds nad made it a golden day for Austria crossing the finish line in first and second place respectively.
In a display of unrivaled dominance, Remi Bonnet once again asserted his vertical racing supremacy on Friday. The seasoned athlete, unbeatable on vertical courses this season, claimed victory with an impressive margin of almost a minute, solidifying his position as the clear leader in the WC vertical rankings with just one race remaining.
Thibault Anselmet of France secured the second place, showcasing his prowess on the challenging Schladming course. The bronze medal went to Italy’s Federico Nicolini, adding another podium finish to his impressive vertical racing record, previously earning bronze at the European Championships in Flaine earlier this year. Local hero Christof Hochenwarter, despite finishing fourth, delighted the Austrian crowd with a spirited performance. Marti Werner (SUI) rounded out the top five on the day.
The women’s race witnessed a spectacular day for the local Austrian team, with Sarah Dreier claiming victory on home soil, for much delight of the local spectators, repeating her victory in the same venue last year. Her teammate, Johanna Hiemer, rounded a golden day for Team Austria with a second place that felt incredible for the local crowds, demonstrating their deep knowledge of the course and strategic prowess. The bronze medal on the day went to Celia Perillat Pessay (FRA), while Italians Alba de Silvestro and Giulia Murada completed the top five.
The WC Vertical rankings for the women’s saw a thrilling tie between Sarah Dreier and Alba de Silvestro, with both athletes sharing the same points. The tiebreaker came down to the points time, with Sarah taking the lead by a mere one second, adding an extra layer of drama to the final event of the Series.
The vertical race saw the participation of 100 athletes from 22 countries, marking a significant and diverse field, including the inaugural appearance of a Colombian athlete. The day presented tough conditions with a bit of rain, adding an extra layer of challenge for the competitors, particularly the women.
Schladming is now set for the sprint race, that you can watch LIVE on the ISMF Youtube channel