For the first time – four races above 3,000m on Monte Rosa where athletes battle with strong winds

With four spectacular races taking place in one single day, all above 3,000m altitude, nature intervened with strong winds on the upper slopes of Monte Rosa.  The ascent to the summit of Europe’s highest race at 4,554m on June 13, 2026, in Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy was shortened for safety reasons at Colle del Lys at 4,200m – the same outcome as the first race held here in 1992.

The SkyMarathon and SkySummit both require athletes to rope up and compete in pairs for safety. Despite the reduced course, the challenge remained demanding, and saw defending champions, Italian William Boffelli and Switzerland’s Roberto Delorenzi, take the SkyMarathon win – Boffelli for the seventh time.

“It was an amazing day,” said Boffelli. “Of course we’re sorry not to have reached the summit, but cutting the race was the right decision, not just for the athletes, but also for the organisers who would have had to undergo extreme conditions and wait for the last athletes. We will have another chance to go to the summit – when the weather will allow it!”

French-American athlete Hillary Gerardi, 2018 winner and runner-up in 2024,  paired successfully with Sweden’s Ida Nilsson just days after confirming their partnership. More success from Sweden where twins, Sanna and Lina El Kott, after two wins, took second place today. “Today was incredible. We were bummed not to reach the Capanna Margherita, but with these conditions it would have been a huge risk. I’m just happy to be back to my favourite race and to have the opportunity to enjoy myself at the fullest.”

The mixed category couple win was all Polish with Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli and Jan Elantkowski.

The ascent-only SkySummit race saw Switzerland’s Fiorillo Camesi and Italian Marcello Ugazio come out on top while Italians Giulia Compagnoni and Corinna Ghirardi took the win for the women. Swiss duo Victoria Kreuzer and Martin Anthamatten topped the mixed category. “We had a clear plan in mind: find the fastest of the group, follow them closely then go full gas on the last stretches to pass them,” commented Ugazio. “We noticed that nobody was keeping up with us, so we started pushing. I had to slow Fiorillo down in first half and pull him a little in the second part, but in end we did a very good race and the best climbing time!”

The new Monte Rosa SkyRace® introduced this year, featured a turnaround point at a slightly lower altitude at the Gnifetti Hut, 3,647m, which remained less affected by the high winds. Designed for solo runners, first man was Italian Daniel Antonioli and last-minute newcomer Carys Mai Hughes from Wales was a surprise win. Frenchman Louis Dumas, who placed third, had this to say; “This SkyRace is amazing: it’s exactly what I like: steep, brutal and with jaw dropping scenery. I was battling for victory, but on the way down, my legs were jelly when I reached Bocchetta delle Pisse and I had to settle for third. But I’ll definitely be back hoping for more!”

The final race of the day, a double Vertical Kilometer®, AMA VK2, was won by Italian Marco Magistro and Frenchwoman Sabine Ehrstrom.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, close on 2,000 spectators from both Alagna and Gressoney lined the course to cheer on the athletes, thanks to the highest stop of the cable car at 3,260m. Overall, 664 runners from a record 34 countries took part in the day’s events.

Celebrating the eighth edition of the events since the relaunch of the original Monte Rosa skyrunning race, the event continues to grow in stature and international appeal, with success always pointing skywards.

The organising committee, AMA Asd, is pleased to thank the following for their support: Monterosa 2000, MICO, Guidi, SCARPA, BigMat Guglielmina, TitusMobility, Namedsport, media partner Radio Valsesia and institutional partners: Piedmont Region, Vercelli Province, Alagna Valsesia and Gressoney la Trinité Councils and Consorzio Turistico Walser di Alagna Valesia, Unione Montana Valsesia, ATL Agenzia Turistica Locale Terre dell’Alto Piemonte Biella Novara Valsesia Vercelli.

RESULTS 

MONTE ROSA SKYMARATHON 

MEN

1. William Boffelli (ITA) – Roberto Delorenzi (SUI) 4h16’58”
2. Luka Kovacic (SLO) – Pascal Egli (SUI) 4h32’25”
3. Kilian Rettensteiner (AUT) – Silas Walter (GER) 4h38’50”

WOMEN

1. Hillary Gerardi (USA) – Ida Nilsson (SWE) 5h36’13”
2. Sanna El Kott (SWE) – Lina El Kott (SWE) 6h17’58”
3. Melissa Paganelli (ITA) – Nicole Ruggeri (ITA) 6h30’56”

MIXED

1. Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli (POL) – Jan Elantkowski (POL) 5h40’34”
2. Meg Mackenzie (RSA) – Cody Lind (USA) 5h54’35”
3. Helene Draborg (DEN) – Nikolaj Dam (DEN) 6h28’59”

MONTE ROSA SKYSUMMIT 

MEN

1. Fiorillo Camesi (SUI) – Marcello Ugazio (ITA) 2h52’20”
2. Davide Cheraz (ITA) – Cesare Peter Bettoli (ITA) 3h03’30”
3. Jules Mangin (FRA) – Iain Innes (IRL) 3h04’30”

WOMEN

1. Giulia Compagnoni (ITA) – Corinna Ghirardi (ITA) 3h33’39”
2. Ilaria Veronese (ITA) – Mara Martini (ITA) 3h45’48”
3. Camilla Calosso (ITA) – Lisa Laura Boschetti (SUI) 4h09’50”

MIXED

1. Victoria Kreuzer (SUI) – Martin Anthamatten (SUI) 3h32’09”
2. Susi Lell (GER) – Florian Reichert (GER) 4h15’37”
3. Emanuele Romanò (ITA) – Pozzi Martina (ITA) 4h31’51”

MONTE ROSA SKYRACE 

MEN

1. Daniel Antonioli (ITA) 3h10’35”
2. Mattia Bertoncini (ITA) 3h10’57”
3. Louis Dumas (FRA) 3h12’49”

WOMEN

1. Carys Mai Hughes (GBR) 4h59’00”
2. Sabrina Bendotti (ITA) 5h00’01”
3. Alessia Minazzi (ITA) 5h02’31”

AMA VK2 

MEN

1. Marco Magistro (ITA) 1h48’30”
2. Gabriele Gazzetto (ITA) 1h49’42”
3. Mattia Ghizzo (ITA) 1h59’56”

WOMEN

1. Sabine Ehrstrom (FRA) 2h12’51”
2. Sofia Beizel (RUS) 2h19’18”
3. Elisa Arvat (ITA) 2h22’07”

Live streaming on You Tube was filmed from the Gnifetti Hut.

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