The 2014 GB Ski Mountaineering Championships were held in Le Tour, Chamonix on Sunday 9 March. This was the third edition of this annual event and is used to select the GB ski racing teams.

The race was on a testing course – there was a lot of technical icy skinning, and several steep icy descents with frozen ski tracks and avalanche debris. Whilst it would have been a delight to have powder snow,  it would be a good test of all disciplines of ski mountaineering. Thankfully we did not encounter the “death crust” that I had anticipated when I helped “trace” the course the day before!

The weather was excellent, without a cloud in the sky; this had been the case for the previous few days – hence the icy nature of the course.

The men’s race proved to be a battle to the end between Carron Scrimgeour and Ben Bardsley. Although Ben was first out of the blocks, by the summit of the first climb, Carron had forged into the lead with Ben hot on his heels. This was the way the race would continue until the end – each transition Carron would have just left as Ben arrived. Carron claimed his second GB title, having won the inaugural race in 2012. Misha Gopaul put in a strong performance to complete the men’s podium.

The women’s race was  wide open to three hopefuls – Ursula Moore, Gaby Lees and Janine Frost. Unfortunately Ursula took a spill on the second descent and had to retire with a suspected torn adductor muscle, which had been in spasm since she completed a road marathon one week before!. On the day it transpired that Janine’s enviable uphill speed could not rival Gaby’s superior downhill skills. Gaby deservedly claimed her second GB title. Megeve local and wildcard Francesca Eyre put in a strong performance to complete the women’s podium.

Many thanks to all the racers who made the effort to come and contest the Championships and support the race. It was a great day of sport in glorious sunshine. This annual event is open to all, aims to be non-elitist and welcoming.

Also a “grand Merci” to the Chamonix Ski Alpinism Club, The FFME and all the “Benevoles” without whom we would not have had a race.

Men’s Results

1. Carron Scrimgeour     2hr - 14min - 42sec
2. Ben Bardsley                2hr - 17min - 41sec
3. Misha Gopaul               2hr - 34min - 25sec
4. Dan Gay                         2hr - 40min - 57sec
5. Tarka L’Herpiniere       2hr - 43min - 13sec
6. Stuart Johnston            2hr - 45min - 26sec
7. Anthony Roberts           3hr - 14min - 02sec
8. Dave Cumming            3hr - 49min - 35sec
9. Oliver Webb                   3hr - 56min - 45sec
10. Ben Gibbison              4hr - 07min - 59sec
11. James Parker             4hr - 23min - 39sec

Women’s Results

1. Gaby Lees                    2hr - 48min - 21sec
2. Janine Frost                 2hr - 56min - 25sec
3. Francesca Eyre           3hr - 28min - 17sec

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