Thomas Bussard crosses the finish line. © ISMF

Marmotta Trophy: Swiss duo celebrates in the mixed relay

The mixed relay event was held on Saturday at the end of the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup in Martell.

March 22, 2025

From: pm

After a thrilling final at the Grogg Biathlon Center, the victory in this soon-to-be Olympic discipline went to Caroline Ulrich/Thomas Bussard of Switzerland. Ana Alonso Rodriguez/Oriol Cardona Coll (Spain) and Emily Harrop/Pablo Giner Dalmasso (France) rounded out the podium, while Nicolò Ernesto Canclini/Giulia Murada finished ninth for hosts Italy.

Caroline Ulrich and Thomas Bussard celebrated their second victory of the season in the mixed relay on Saturday afternoon. The Swiss team, with Bussard as the final runner, had "only" crossed the finish line second in the A final. However, because Spaniard Oriol Cardona Coll missed a gate in the very last downhill, he and Ana Alonso Rodriguez received a penalty minute and thus fell behind the Swiss. Ulrich/Bussard won in 36.19,1 minutes 19,4, XNUMX seconds faster than Alonso Rodriguez/Cardona Coll.

The beaming faces of the winners. © Sportissimus

In the battle for third place, France (+43,1 seconds) prevailed over Austria (+54,3). Emily Harrop/Pablo Giner Dalmasso were about 11 seconds faster than Johanna Hiemer/Paul Verbnjak, who finished second last year in exactly the same team. Norwegians Ida Waldal/Hans-Inge Klette also participated in the awards ceremony, finishing fifth.

Italy with material problems in ninth place

After the first of four rounds, Sweden led thanks to a strong performance by Tove Alexandersson – who finished fourth in the individual competition on Thursday. By the end, the Scandinavians, who also included Jerker Lysell, had fallen back to sixth place (+1.53,5). Italy, which struggled with equipment problems in the deciding round, finished ninth with Giulia Murada/Nicolò Ernesto Canclini, 2.24 minutes behind the victorious Swiss.

Giulia Murada in action. © Sportissimus

The B final, which was held prior to the A final, was won by the French duo Margot Ravinel/Anselme Damevin in 37.42,3:36 minutes. Katia Mascherona/Matteo Sostizzo, two "Azzurri," finished second. Third place went to the Austrian team Sarah Dreier/Andreas Mayer. A total of 12 pairs participated in the mixed relay, of which 12 qualified for the A final and another 18.03,7 for the B final. Hiemer/Verbnjak achieved the best qualifying time (XNUMX:XNUMX), with each athlete having to complete the course, with ascents and descents, as well as carrying sections, only once.

ISMF World Cup Ski Mountaineering Martell, Mixed Relay

1. Switzerland (Caroline Ulrich/Thomas Bussard) 36.19,1
2. Spain (Ana Alonso Rodriguez/Oriol Cardona Coll) 36.38,5
3. France (Emily Harrop/Pablo Giner Dalmasso) 37.02,2
4. Austria (Johanna Hiemer/Paul Verbnjak) 37.13,4
5. Norway (Ida Waldal/Hans-Inge Klette) 38.06,6