Alba De Silvestro (right) beamed from the podium. © Sportissimus

Two Azzurri also celebrate in Martell

The ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup in Martell began on Thursday with the individual competitions. The favorites prevailed: Swiss Remi Bonnet won the men's event in glorious weather, while Axelle Gachet Mollaret (France) was once again successful in the women's event.

March 20, 2025

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The Italian team also had something to celebrate in the South Tyrolean ski touring paradise, as two “Azzurri” made it onto the podium: Matteo Eydallin and Alba De Silvestro.

Remi Bonnet has won everything there is to win in his extremely successful career. However, a victory at the Marmotta Trophy, with the trophy made of Laas marble, was still missing from the 30-year-old Swiss's impressive collection. It was immediately apparent that Bonnet wanted to cement this success on Thursday at the 17th edition of the renowned South Tyrolean ski touring race.

Remi Bonnet won the men's event. © Sportissimus

Remi Bonnet celebrated an impressive start-to-finish victory in the heart of the Stelvio National Park. After starting at the former Hotel Paradiso, the six-time world champion pulled away from the rest of the field on the first climb and gradually increased his lead. By the second climb, the Swiss rider was already over a minute ahead of his pursuers. After 15,12 kilometers and 1509 meters of elevation gain, Remi Bonnet crossed the finish line with a winning time of 1:23.45,9 hours, 1.29,1:XNUMX minutes faster than second-placed William Bon Mardion (France).

Third place went to Matteo Eydallin from Aosta, winner of the individual event at the 2023 Marmotta Trophy. The 39-year-old repeated his previous year's third place. Davide Magnini (4th), Michele Boscacci (5th), and Robert Antonioli (6th) rounded out the strong performance of the "Azzurri." The only South Tyrolean in the field – Alex Oberbacher from Val Gardena – finished a respectable eighth behind last year's winner Xavier Gachet of France.

Gachet Mollaret is the Queen of Martell

In the women's race, unsurprisingly, there was no way around Axelle Gachet Mollaret. Initially, it seemed as if the Frenchwoman would be able to hold a candle to the 2021 winner, Tove Alexandersson of Sweden. But Gachet Mollaret, who leads the individual World Cup standings, increased her pace from the middle of the race and left her pursuers well behind. The 32-year-old completed the 13,8 kilometers and 1289 meters of elevation gain in 1:25.07,3:XNUMX hours, thus securing her fourth consecutive victory in Martell.

Alex Oberbacher from Val Gardena – took eighth place.

Strange things then unfolded in the subsequent battle for the podium. Although Tove Alexandersson reached the transition zone in second place after the final descent, she was able to make one last catch for the finish. Twenty seconds later, Emily Harrop of France and Alba De Silvestro of Italy came in. Harrop (+20 on Gachet Mollaret) and De Silvestro (+1.19,1) overtook the Swede and crossed the finish line shortly thereafter in that order. Alexandersson remained in fourth place, with Spaniard Ana Alonso Rodriguez following a respectable distance in fifth place.

On Saturday the mixed relay

The 17th Marmotta Trophy continues on Saturday, March 22, at the Grogg Biathlon Center with the mixed relay. This is the competition format that has also been included in the Olympic program for Milan Cortina 2026. The competition begins at 9.20:10.45 a.m. with the qualifications, followed by the B finals (11.45:XNUMX a.m.) and the A finals (XNUMX:XNUMX a.m.).

This competition is particularly interesting for spectators, as almost the entire race course is clearly visible. At the end of the race, the flower ceremony takes place near the finish line. At 12.40:17 p.m., also at the Grogg Biathlon Center, the official awards ceremony will take place, marking the celebratory conclusion of the XNUMXth Marmotta Trophy.

17th Marmotta Trophy, Individual Men (15,12 km/1509 hm)

1. Remi Bonnet SUI 1:23.45,9
2. William Bon Mardion FRA 1:25.15,0
3. Matteo Eydallin ITA 1:25.43,9
4. Davide Magnini ITA 1:25.45,6
5. Michele Boscacci ITA 1:26.08,5

17th Marmotta Trophy, Individual Women (13,8 km/1289 m elevation gain)
1. Axelle Gachet Mollaret 1:25.07,3
2. Emily Harrop FRA 1:26.26,4
3. Alba De Silvestro ITA 1:26.28,1
4. Tove Alexandersson SWE 1:27.21,1
5. Ana Alonso Rodriguez ESP 1:31.06,8