A French one-two in Planaval. French one-two in Planaval. Mathéo Jacquemoud – Samuel Equy and Axelle Mollaret – Emily Harrop are the new ISMF Ski Mountaineering Long Distance World Champions. They were crowned by the Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême, the only Italian stage of the 2022 La Grande Course, the international circuit featuring the most beautiful races in the Alps and the Cordillera Pirenaica. The race was divided into three stages and was marked by three days of complicated weather conditions, which forced the Corrado Gex Ski Club, to redesign the tracks in the hours prior the race. 
The first stage took place in La Thuile's ski area, with 159 male teams and 15 female ones at the start line, for a total of 348 athletes representing 15 different countries. The race, in true alpine TDR style, took them to the summits “la Bella Valletta” and “Bellecombe”, with a loop including 2400m of vertical gain, three ascents, as many descents and two sections on foot. 
The second stage featured 2463 M of vertical gain in the heart of the Valgrisenche Valley, starting from Bonne and finishing in the usual TDR location, Mondanhes. Four ascents and four descents with two backpack sections on foot, reaching 2963m Mont de l’Arp Vieille. To make it even harder, cold temperatures plummeted to - 19°C at high altitude. 
The third and last stage crowning the world champions featured 2340 M of vertical gain with start and finish lines in Planaval, a small village in Arvier. Two major ascents and prohibitive temperatures that plummeted to almost -20°C at the top of the Château Blanc (3442m), and then a steep fresh snow descent of almost 2000m. 

Both in the men and women's categories the French team was the leader of the race. The days of epic fights, where French Mathéo Jacquemoud – Samuel Equy won the gold medal crossing the finish line in first place with a final time of 2h18’20”. Second place and silver medal for the Italians Davide Magnini – Matteo Eydallin (2h21’11”) and third place for the other French team William Bon Mardion – Xavier Gachet (2h24’34”). 

In the women's category, as expected, the French team Axelle Mollaret – Emily Harrop won the third stage in a row. For them a finish time of 2h51’22” and the gold medal. As in the previous stages, the Italian team Giulia Murada - Alba De Silvestro were second at the finish line (2h57'27"). Third in the ranking, but not valid for the World Championship one because of their different nationalities, the Slovakian Marianna Jagercikova and the Polish Iwona Januszyk (3h01'43"). Fourth overall and third in the World Championship ranking were the Italians Mara Martini and Ilaria Veronese.

MILLET TOUR DU RUTOR EXTREME YOUNG
The “Under 20”, “Under 18” and “Under 16" categories raced during two days, where winners were Thomas Magnini, Vanessa Marca among Under 16, Marcello Scarinzi, Clizia Vallet in the Under 18 category and Rémi Cantan, Noemi Junod among the Under 20.
67 young athletes took part to Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême and raced along a dedicated track. 
Under 20 (men and women) and under 18 (men) faced each other on a first track featuring 1743m of vertical gain (3 ascents, as many descents and the GPM at Mont Arp Vieille). Under 18 (women) and under 16 (men and women) raced along a 1180m course (3 ascents, 3 descents, highest point at Piano Forclaz du Bré, 2400 m). 
The second and last track reserved to the youngsters saw Under 20 (men and women) and under 18 (men) challenge on a track with 1278m of vertical gain (2 ascents, as many descents, two sections on foot GPM on the Château Blanc Glacier at 2850 m). Under 18 (women) and under 16 (men and women) raved along a 900m course (two ascents, two descents, a section on foot).

A true skialp circuit, with alpine sections, couloirs and ridges. Real mountains, powder descents, briefings, photographers and press officers. Going towards Milan. Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, the Tour Du Rutor organization believes in giving young people a chance to compete in a safe and natural environment like the one offered by the mountains sorrounding Arvier and Valgrisenche. It's a unique opportunity to discover and raise future champions. 

The Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême organized by the Ski Club Corrado Gex of Arvier, under the technical direction of the ski mountaineer and mountain guide Marco Camandona, is made possible thanks to the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta, the municipalities of Arvier, La Thuile and Valgrisenche and the involvement of several private sponsors.
We would like to thank: Millet Mountain (main sponsor), Grivel, Garmin Outdoor Italy, ATK Bindings, CVA Energie, Consorzio Produttori e Tutela della Fontina DOP, Bentley SOA.

Valgrisenche, THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR SKI MOUNTAINEERING AND HELISKIING
The Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême confirms the Valgrisenche valley to be the paradise of ski mountaineering and heliskiing enthusiasts. A true natural playground where you can launch yourself into long descents in fresh snow. There are at least fifteen ski mountaineering routes, easy or medium level, which can be done without risk until May.
The promotion of the territory, traditions and products have always been concepts linked to the event, the sporting event is an excellent promotional flywheel for the uncontaminated valleys and for the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta. The municipalities of Arvier, Valgrisenche and La Thuile can be an ideal destination for those who love eco-sustainable tourism in the mountains, between nature, tradition, food and wine and sport.