On Sunday the Italian team of Damiano Lenzi, Matteo Eydallin and Michele Boscacci won the traditional Patrouille des Glaciers race. The Italian favorites managed to complete the route from Zermatt to Verbier in a time of six hours and one minute, only 9 minutes longer than the current record time of 5 hours and 52 minutes. The best Swiss team came third in a time of 6 hours and 27 minutes.
The fastest ladies team was the French/Swiss combination of Séverine Pont-Combe, Laëtitia Roux and Maude Mathys and they finished in a new record time of 7 hours and 27 minutes.
Patrouille des Glaciers
The Patrouille des Glaciers is held once every two years between the resorts of Zermatt and Verbier (the long race) and Arolla and Verbier (the short race). In total 1800 teams consisting of 3 participants took part in the 19th edition of the Swiss military race with a length of 53 kilometers and 4000 vertical meters.
The competition is organized by the Swiss Army who started organizing the race during the World War II to test the condition and resistance of the Swiss soldiers. For more information about the history of the Patrouille des Glaciers check out our recent article.
