Gli spagnoli Cristofer Clemente e Gemma Arena a segno nella Ultra SkyMarathon® Madeira

With a highly competitive international field participating, the Ultra SkyMarathon® Madeira, for the first time on the Skyrunner® World Series calendar, didn’t disappoint.

Despite a variation with respect to last year’s course making for an even more demanding race, records were pulverised – the top five women and the top two men smashed the standing records. Race winners were Cristofer Clemente and Gemma Arenas. Skyrunning star Anna Frost was among the women’s favourites. From the pre-dawn 6 am start in the town of Santana, to the race summit at 1,861m and right up to km 24, it looked as though she was heading for the win. Spaniard Gemma Arenas, together with Americans Hillary Allen and Kristina Pattison had been hot on her heels with just a three-minute gap separating them. It was here, on the long downhill, that Gemma accelerated to overtake Anna and secure victory in 6h59’51”. Hillary closed second and Anna was an excellent third. André Jonsson from Sweden, an unknown quantity on the skyrunning circuit until his recent 10^th place at Zegama, set out with strong lead closely followed by Dimitri Theodorakakos from Greece. He comfortably cleared the summit and held the lead on the long descent down to the river, 6 km from the finish, where the athletes have to wade across the water. Here, Spaniard Cristofer Clemente moved up to second place. He carefully paced himself throughout and took the lead on the final descent which he held to the finish, closing in 6h00’28”. Cristofer, who was second on the overall 2015 ranking, commented, “I’m very happy. It was good for me overall. I ran at a conservative pace and felt very comfortable throughout, despite the challenging 55 km and 4,000m vertical climb.” The Madeira Ultra SkyMarathon^®, now in its third year, perfectly embodies the skyrunning sea-to sky concept with some very technical stretches up to the Grade II climbing scale, and a via ferrata section. João Canning Clode, USM co-director and PR commented, “We didn’t expect to break the standing records but given the good weather this year and the strong competition, it was a welcome surprise. The course was even more technical, although the distance and vertical climb remain the same. It was designed to be spectacular, bold and inspirational – just like skyrunning.” Cristofer Clemente now takes over the Ultra Series ranking lead for the men and Gemma Arenas for the women. Look out for the next Ultra Series race with the new High Trail Vanoise in the renowned ski resort of Val d’Isère, France on July 10. Later this month the Skyrunner® World Series will head for North Eastern Italy with the Santa Caterina VK and the Livigno SkyMarathon® on June 24 & 26. Ultra SkyMarathon® Madeira results (extract) Men 1. Cristofer Clemente (ESP) – 6h00’28” 2. Dimitri Theodorakakos (GRE) – 6h09’06” 3. Luis Fernandez (POR) – 6h11’34” 4. André Jonsson (SWE) – 6h14’10” 5. Nuno Silva (POR) – 6h17’43” Women 1. Gemma Arenas (ESP) – 6h59’51” 2. Hillary Allen (USA) – 7h13’12” 3. Anna Frost (NZL) – 7h17’00” 4. Anna Strakova (CZE) – 7h20’42” 5. Anna Comet (ESP) – 7h29’17” Skyrunner® Ultra Series provisional ranking Men 1.      Cristofer Clemente (ESP) – 153 points 2.      Remigio Huaman (PER) – 121 points 3.      Luis Alberto Hernando (ESP) – 100 points 4.      Nicolas Martin (FRA) – 88 points 5.      Dimitri Theodorakakos (GRE) – 88 points Women 1.      Gemma Arenas (ESP) – 154 points 2.      Hillary Allen (USA) – 150 points 3.      Anna Frost (NZL) – 126 points 4.      Ida Nilsson (SWE) – 100 points 5.      Anne-Lise Rousset (FRA) – 88 points

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers,Scott, Compressport and Salomon.   About Skyrunner® World Series Skyrunning was founded in 1992 by Italian Marino Giacometti, President of the International Skyrunning Federation which sanctions the discipline worldwide and sports the tagline: Less cloud. More sky.

The Skyrunner® World Series was launched in 2004 and has grown to represent the peak of outdoor running defined by altitude and technicality. In 2016, the Series, composed of four disciplines, features 23 races in 15 venues on three continents.