Pralognan-la-Vanoise hosted the start of the 7th stage in the heart of its charming village. At the beginning of the afternoon, the 20 teams set off on a 34km course with a positive difference in altitude of 1560m.
Starting from the center of the resort, the mushers went through the area starting with a passage on the Gerlon bridge, then crossed the hamlet of Les Fontanettes before starting a second loop on the Nordic sector. They then passed by the most difficult passage, the Mont Bochor, to finish the stage in the center of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. It is thus, on a varied course, between Nordic track and alpine track, that the mushers could fully express themselves, encouraged by many spectators.
In the Open category, the French Rémy Coste won and increased his lead over the German Heinrich Winter by 4’08. Sissel Wolf Molmen finished on the third step of the podium. In the Limited category, the French Cindy Duport takes back her title by finishing first, in 1:41:03, in front of her French competitor Aurélie Delattre who finishes in 1:48:46. Aurélie Delattre remains the overall leader. Elsa Borgey confirmed her third place.
The “Best Nordic Region Auvergne Rhône-Alpes” chasuble was awarded to Jean Combazard for the Open category and Grégory Coffre for the Limited category. The “Wamine dog Care” was awarded to Sylvia Ulrich who did not hesitate to stop to motivate the dogs of her opponent, Heinrich Winter. The latter did not want to go any further in front of an icy track.
On Sunday January 16th, the stage will start in Bessans – Bonneval-sur-Arc presented by Wamine and will host the Odyssey of Hope at 10am. This 8th stage of La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc will be marked by the inevitable mass-start!