Emmanuel Meyssat in Willer-sur-Thur (© L'Alsace en courant)
WillersurThur, FranceEmmanuel Meyssat and Martina Straehl kicked off the 2008 WMRA Grand Prix with victories at the 28th Montee du Grand Ballon race on Thursday (01).
Ranked 8th in last year’s Grand Prix and a member of the French national team, Meyssat outpaced Steve Vernon (GBR) in the last stages of the 13 km race to record a fine win by 21 seconds. Vernon, a British cross-country international has declared his intention to take this season’s mountain racing seriously so Meyssat can be well satisfied with his victory.
German Timo Zeiler improved on his performance in this race last year moving up from 7th to third. Last year’s winner, Julien Rancon of France, came in fourth.
As expected, Martina Straehl (SUI) ran well in the 8km womens race, but exceeded all expectations in winning in a new record time, beating the 2003 record by 1 minute 8 seconds. Victoria Wilkinson (GBR), coming into the race after a successful cross country season, representing England, and runner-up in last year’s Grand Prix, had to be satisfied in second place just in front of her young team mate Sarah Tunstall (GBR).
Ann Buckley (GBR) completed an impressive showing by the British girls in finishing 5th. With the Swiss girl Maya Chollet in 4th position the French, on home ground had to wait for Valerie Galland in 6th place for their first finisher.
The second Grand Prix race is in Switzerland at the venue of last year’s World Trophy, Saillon Ovronnaz, but on an uphill only course., on 24 May.
Danny Hughes for the IAAF
Leading Results:
Men -
1. Emmanuel Meyssat (FRA) 61.34
2. Steve Vernon (GBR) 61.55
3. Timo Zeiler (GER) 62.14
4. Julien Rancon (FRA) 63.06
5. Phillipe Charasse (FRA) 63.36
6. Georges Burrier (FRA) 65.42
Women -
1. Martina Straehl (SUI) 46.42 (record)
2. Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) 48.41
3. Sarah Tunstall (GBR) 50.32
4. Maya Chollet (SUI) 52.04
5. Anne Buckley (GBR) 53.11
6. Valerie Galland (FRA) 53.26