Cow Èlise Poncet was 35 kilometers and 3.840 meters away from setting a new record for the fastest female ski ascent of Mont Blanc. The French extreme athlete completed the route in 6 hours and 54 minutes – breaking the previous record by over 30 minutes.
She is actually known internationally as a successful trail runner, but her heart also beats for alpine terrain: That is why the Frenchwoman Élise Poncet decided to Montblanc to set a new record in ski mountaineering. With a time of 6 hours, 54 minutes and 47 seconds, the extreme athlete beat the record of the American Anna DeMonte of 2024 by more than 30 minutes.
Winds of up to 70 km/h at -15 degrees
For her record attempt for the fastest ascent and descent of Mont Blanc on skis, Poncet set off early Friday morning from the church in Chamonix. Ahead of her lay not only the approximately 35-kilometer route with approximately 3.840 meters of elevation gain to the summit, but also perceived temperatures of around -15 degrees Celsius.
Élise Poncet's attempt took her via the Grand Mulets route, which also includes the crossing of the Bossons Glacier and a roughly 1.000-meter climb past the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Other challenges along the route include negotiating massive crevasses and seracs, as well as the ascent to the summit via the Arête des Bosses. Winds of up to 70 km/h prevailed there on Friday.
Poncet, who has already won the French mountain running championship twice, had been training intensively for the Tour since the beginning of the year. According to media reports, she was supported by, among others, Hillary Gerardi who set the walking record on Mont Blanc in 2023, as well as by the Austrian ski mountaineer Jacob Herrmann.
Combining my two passions: endurance sports and mountaineering. I'm incredibly happy to complete this project.
Élise Poncet
Career milestone for Poncet
Thanks to extensive preparation, Élise Poncet's ascent and descent went smoothly, and the Frenchwoman became the first woman to complete the round trip from Kirche to the summit and back in under seven hours. Poncet thus sets a milestone in her career as a versatile endurance athlete and successfully brings her passion for the sport to alpine terrain.
That might interest you
- New record: Fastest woman on Mont Blanc
- Benjamin Védrines succeeds in winter solo ascent of the Petit Dru west face | BASE
- Christophe Profit removes safety equipment again on Mont Blanc
+ + +
Credits cover photo: Victor Pérez Pelayo