Today marked the final day of competition in Shahdag with the Vertical discipline. Weather conditions were challenging, with cloudy skies and fog covering the lower section of the course. Temperatures were below zero, creating freezing conditions for the athletes.
This year the course was modified to become longer and slightly flatter, while keeping the same elevation gain.
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U18 category: 3021 m distance with 485 m elevation gain
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U20 and Senior categories: 3787 m distance with 657 m elevation gain
Because of the longer layout and the flatter final section, many athletes struggled to increase their speed and reduce time in the last part of the race.
Senior Men – Top 5
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🥇 Rémi Bonnet (SUI) – 27:22.2
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🥈 Aurélien Gay (SUI) – 28:20.8 (+58.6)
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🥉 Christof Hohenwarter (AUT) – 28:54.2 (+1:32.0)
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Robin Bussard (SUI) – 29:05.1 (+1:42.9)
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Paul Verbnjak (AUT) – 29:18.8 (+1:56.6)
The Swiss athlete Rémi Bonnet, widely known as “the Vertiman,” once again dominated the race, securing victory with an impressive time of 27:22. His teammate Aurélien Gay followed in second place, while Austria’s Christof Hohenwarter claimed the final podium spot after a strong climb.
Senior Women – Top 5
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🥇 Sarah Dreier (AUT) – 33:57.0
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🥈 Giulia Murada (ITA) – 34:46.6 (+49.6)
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🥉 Caroline Ulrich (SUI) – 35:23.4 (+1:26.4)
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Thibe Deseyn (SUI team) – 36:02.0 (+2:05.0)
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Marianne Fatton (SUI) – 36:39.2 (+2:42.2)
On the women’s side, vertical specialist Sarah Dreier took a convincing victory, crossing the finish line with the big smile we are used to seeing from her. Italy’s Giulia Murada delivered another strong performance to secure second place, while Switzerland’s Caroline Ulrich completed the podium.
U23 Women
The U23 women competed at a very high level, with strong performances on the demanding vertical course.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Thibe Deseyn (SUI team) – 36:02.0
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🥈 Irina Umnitsyna (AIN) – 40:12.5 (+4:10.5)
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🥉 Daria Zinchenko (AIN) – 40:30.4 (+4:28.1)
U23 Men
The U23 men’s race was particularly competitive, with a strong Austrian presence on the podium after a fast and tactical climb.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Julian Tritscher (AUT) – 29:20.6
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🥈 Silvano Wolf (AUT) – 29:29.5 (+8.9)
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🥉 Loïc Dubois (SUI) – 29:38.4 (+17.8)
U20 Women
Competing on the longer senior course of 3787 m and 657 m elevation gain, the U20 women faced a demanding vertical challenge where pacing and endurance played a key role.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Marina Anastasova (BUL) – 41:14.3
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🥈 Gulnur Sagir (TUR) – 41:29.3 (+15.0)
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🥉 Sueda Sultan Evci (TUR) – 41:44.3 (+30.0)
U20 Men
The U20 men also competed on the senior course, delivering a strong and competitive race with a fast pace on the steep sections of the climb.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Silas Walter (GER) – 30:55.6
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🥈 Marek Foltyn (CZE) – 32:12.9 (+1:16.9)
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🥉 Malte Lessing (SWE) – 33:29.8 (+2:34.2)
U18 Women
The U18 women opened the youth competitions on the 3021 m course with 485 m of elevation gain. Despite the freezing temperatures and foggy conditions on the lower part of the track, the young athletes showed impressive determination on the demanding climb.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Anastasiia Pshenichnaia (RUS) – 39:32.2
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🥈 Natalia Bobrowska (POL) – 40:45.1 (+1:12.9)
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🥉 Rabia Bulut (TUR) – 41:58.0 (+2:25.8)
U18 Men
The U18 men’s race was fast from the start, with athletes pushing hard on the steep sections before the final flatter part of the course.
Top 3 Results
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🥇 Matei Petre (ROU) – 27:47.8
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🥈 Adam Hubac (SVK) – 28:18.6 (+30.8)
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🥉 Alex Kulanga (SVK) – 29:08.3 (+1:20.5)
Overall European Champions – Senior Men
The overall ranking combined the results from the Vertical, Individual and Sprint disciplines, rewarding the most consistent athletes across the championships. Switzerland dominated the men’s standings with all three podium positions.
Top 3 Overall – Senior Men
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🥇 Thomas Bussard (SUI)
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🥈 Rémi Bonnet (SUI)
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🥉 Robin Bussard (SUI)
Overall European Champions – Senior Women
In the women’s overall standings, the Italian athlete claimed the title after strong performances across the championship events, followed by two Swiss athletes completing the podium.
Top 3 Overall – Senior Women
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🥇 Giulia Murada (ITA)
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🥈 Caroline Ulrich (SUI)
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🥉 Marianne Fatton (SUI)
Overall European Team Ranking
In the overall team standings, the top nations during the championships were:
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🥇 Spain
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🥈 Switzerland
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🥉 Poland
These teams consistently appeared on the podium across multiple disciplines and age categories, demonstrating their depth and strength throughout the week of competition at Shahdag Mountain Resort.
Shahdag Mountain Resort Hosts a Successful European Championship
The European Ski Mountaineering Championships concluded on a high note, with athletes praising the excellent course conditions and the quality of the organization throughout the week. The tracks prepared at Shahdag Mountain Resort offered challenging and scenic terrain, providing a spectacular setting for this major week of ski mountaineering competition.
The international ski mountaineering season now continues with the Long Distance World Championship at the legendary Pierra Menta, one of the most iconic races in the sport.