Wind of change at the 2013 edition of The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

A wind of change and freshness has blown this weekend around Mont Blanc, dusting some clichés about trail. At respectively 29 and 25 years, Rory Bosio (USA) and Thevenard Xavier (FRA) have shown that youth could also be an undeniable quality when one has to provide such long-term efforts. Taking advantage of exceptional weather conditions, the Jura and Californian have managed an exceptional performance, to defeat the odds the UTMB®, and panic the chronos. In their frail and refined silhouettes, Xavier and Rory will have fooled all their opponents, often more experienced, including a Spanish contingent a big performer around the Mont Blanc Massif. Along the way everyone noticed the intense support towards the American star Anton Krupicka including the Spaniard Kilian Jornet triple winner of the UTMB in (2008, 2009 and 2011) who came to encourage the athlete and his friends as a spectator. At noon, more than 1212 competitors had taken the footsteps of these phenomena to the finish line on the Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, after a second night under the stars.

Two days earlier, Catalonia was able to celebrate the victory of Jordi Bes on the CCC® and the Savoy Region Carolina Chaverot. Again, two unexpected winners of the competition, who signed here the most significant result of their careers. 1320 runners have entered the finisher's community after 100km and 5950m D +, nearly 70% of them all. A telling statistic certainly helped by the mild weather, which probably also means that the preparation of trailers "amateurs" perfected over the years.

For the TDS®, nearly 68% of the 1526 starters finished the race. The former world champion of raid multisport Arnaud Julia Bonmati will be the fastest of them, giving himself a new perspective on his very long distance trail career. Nathalie Mauclair did the same on the girl's side, confirming an outstanding season in 2013.

The UTMB® also confirmed the status of "Summit Racing Nature" on a worldwide level. In fact, the Ultra Trail World Tour® announced creating a global circuit for Ultra Running, gathering trails covering at least 100km on all continents with a dozen dates. Today the North Face® Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc® takes its place amongt seven other iconic and popular events.

Emotion, sharing and solidarity have once again thrilled all men and women from all around the world around the mont Blanc. During one week everyone is a winner: finishers, volunteers, elite partners... See you in 2014, August 25th to 31th for the 12th edition.

RESULTS - STATISTICS
CCC® - 100 km - 5950 D+
1909 participants 265 women.
1320 finishers, 161 women, 589 retirements

Men
1 - Jordi Bes - ESP - 11:23:01
2 - Sebastien Camus - FRA - 11:53:36
3 - Daniel Garcia Gomez - ESP - 12:07:43
Women
1 - Caroline Chaverot - FRA - 14:12:00
2 - Mercedes Arcos Zafra - ESP - 14:21:15
3 - Delphine Avenier - FRA - 14:45:06

UTMB® - 168 km - 9600 D+
2469 participants 223 women.

Men
1 - Xavier Thévenard - FRA - 20:34:57
2 - Miguel Angel Heras Hernandez - ESP - 20:54:08
3 - Javier Dominguez Ledo - ESP - 21:17:38
Women
1 - Rory Bosio - USA - 22:37:26
2 - Nuria Picas Albets - ESP - 24:32:20
3 - Emma Roca Rodriguez - ESP - 24:48:14

TDSTM - 112 km - 7150D+
1525 participants 165 women
1020 finishers, 99 women, 505 retirements

Men
1 - Arnaud Julia Bonmati - (ESP) - 15:09:59
2 - Antoine Guillon - (FRA) - 15:21:26
3 - Mattia Roncoroni - (ITA) - 15:31:20
Women
1 - Nahtalie Mauclair - (FRA) - 17:36:41
2 - Claire Price - (GB) - 18:09:23
3 - Liza Borzani (ITA) - 19:07:14

PTLTM - 300 km - 24 000 m D+ - Race in full autonomy without final position - 89 teams registered 3 women.
At noon 27 teams have arrived, 36 retired.
FLIPPER'S GANG (GB) with Digby Harris, Stephen Watts, Tim Laney in 103:08:14