New Zealander Anna Frost and Spaniard Sebastian Sanchez are the winners of the second Trial and third leg of the Skyrunner® World Series in Canillo, Andorra, Sunday, June 6.

Just moments before the start of the Travessa de Canilllo SkyRace®, a major storm erupted causing the organizers to seek alternative access to higher areas, avoiding the rocky ridges exposed to lightning.  The original 17 km route was reduced to 12 km with only 800m vertical climb with respect to the original 1,400m.   

The winning times were  1h32’44” for Sanchez (Running Team-Trangoworld) and 1h41’18” for Frost (Salomon Trail Team), ahead of standing world champion, Italian Emanuela  Brizio, only third after Olympic skier Laura Orgue, second.  

In the men’s field, the change in course resulted in the lead group taking a wrong turn at a poorly marked intersection about 3 km into the race. Sanchez took the lead of the group headed initially by Andorran Ferrán Sánchez Teixidó and, accompanied by brothers Marc and Oscar Casal, held their positions till the finish.

The Skyrunner® World Series ranking, after this third race puts Sebastian Sanchez at the top of the standings, tying with standing world champion, Kilian Jornet and Russian Dimitriy Ploskonosov.  

The women’s ranking still has Emanuela Brizio as leader after her win in Zegama, ahead of American Megan Kimmel and Anna Frost, who looks set to give the Italian a run for her money.

In just a week’s time, the third World Series Trial will take place on Sunday, June 13 in Portugal where contestants will be looking for points in their quest for the Skyrunner® World Series champion title, awarded at the final in Malaysia in October based on the best score out of three races and one Trial.  


Skyrunner® World Series ranking

Race results

M

1 Sánchez Sebastián - Running Team Trangoworld - 1h32:44.7
2 Casal Marc – Club Pirinenc Andorrà - 1h35:16.9
3 Casal Oscar – Club Pirinenc Andorrà - 1h35:19.3
4 Valls Joan – Club Pirinenc Andorrà - 1h35:54.8
5 Santvicente Lluis – Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme - 1h36:43.9
6 Tarantola Salvatore - Valetudo Skyrunning Italia - 1h38:47.2
7 Teixido Ferran – Club Pirinenc Andorrà - 1h40:20.5
8 Miralles Carles - Unió Excursionista de Sabadell - 1h43:08.9
9 Piffero Giordano - Valetudo Skyrunning Italia - 1h44:01.7
10 Torroella Narcís - A.E. Diedre - 1h44:08.9

W

1 Frost Anna - Salomon Trail Team - 1h41:18.7
2 Orgue Laura - CEFUC - 1h43:27.8
3 Brizio Emanuela - Valetudo Skyrunning Italia - 1h44:59.4
4 Fargues Maria - Club Esportiu Pedala Cat Balag - 1h56:31.6
5 Martin Maribel - Grupo Alpino Benalmádena - 1h57:32.8