For the first time in history, a number of Olympic
sports have taken place at high altitude.
This unique event, SkyGames® 2000, concentrates running, cycling
and skiing at altitude all in one spectacular location, a natural
arena dominated by the Matterhorn mountain on the border of the
Italian/Swiss Alps.
‘Sky’
sports have given new insight to performance at altitude. Traditional
boundaries and preconceived limits of human performance have been
swept away to make room for a new sports concept – skyrunning.
Twentytwo nations qualified for the 12 world titles,
36 medals and prizes of $50,000. Athletes faced not only fierce
competition, but grueling terrain, severe temperature ranges and
thin air – in a unique environment where the rewards come
from almost touching the sky…..
THE RACES
Vertical Kilometer
The race involves running uphill for 1,000 meters (one kilometer)
elevation gain with an incline of approximately 33%. The Vertical
Kilometer is favored by athletes from the most diverse backgrounds
in a fast, fervent struggle to the top.
The world record stands at: 35’ 32”, that’s a speed
of 1,657 meters per hour.
SkyRace (Half SkyMarathon)
The SkyRace reaches heights over 3,000 meters across routes that
once took shepherds, merchants and travelers days to accomplish.
Today this ancient trade route from Zermatt to Cervinia was completed
in only a matter of hours.
SkyBike
The union of two great sports: cycling and running - all uphill
and at high altitude. The total elevation gain is 2,000m of which
1,000 are cycled on road bikes to Cervinia followed by a foot
race up the Vertical Kilometer course.
Duathlon, Triathlon and Cycling specialists participated in this
exciting new race concept.
SkySki
SkySki represents a mostly uphill version of downhill skiing –
but at 4,000m. The first section of the race is run, then special,
lightweight skis with skins are worn for the ascent, with the
use of crampons on the steepest sections. Alternatively, there’s
the latest snowshoe/snowboard combination. On reaching the summit,
it’s all downhill in the traditional manner. The aerobic
capacity of the athletes is severely put to the test in this new
fusion of running, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. The ultimate
snow sport challenge.
SkyMarathon
As in the Olympics, the supreme race of the SkyGames is reserved
for the final day. This full length marathon (26.2 miles) is the
purest, most complete expression of human performance, across
trails, moraine and glaciers to a height of 4,160m with an elevation
gain of 2,600m.
RACE
DETAILS
Approximately 1,000 athletes from 22 nations qualified.
At stake: 12 world titles, 36 medals and prizes for a total value
of US $50,000
Vertical Kilometer World Title, Cervinia, Italy,
July 7, 3 pm
Uphill race with 1,000m elevation gain over 4km with an average
incline of 30%.
Individual timing from the Piazzale Breithorn, 1990m, Croce Carrel,
2990m.
Total prizes US $8,000, medals 1/2/3rd M/F.
SkyRace World Title (HalfMarathon), Zermatt,
Switzerland, July 8, 12 pm
21 km over trail and snow-covered ski runs with 1,500m ascent
and 1,300m descent.
Mass start from Zermatt ,1,620m, Passo Teodulo 3,300m, finish
Cervinia 1,990m.
Total prizes US $8,000, medals 1/2/3rd M/F.
SkyBike World Title, St Vincent, Aosta, Italy,
July 8, 3pm
Bike race on 30km paved road followed by 5 km uphill run (Vertical
Kilometer).
Mass start at the St Vincent Casinò ,500m, Cervinia, 1,990m,
Oriondè Refuge, 2800m.
Total prizes US $8,000, medals 1/2/3rd.
SkySki World Title, Cervinia, Italy, July 8,
4 pm
Rondonné (ski) or snowshoe/snow board race with 1,350m
ascent.
Mass start from the Cime Bianche Station, 2,830m, Plateau Rosà,
Breithorn, 4160m and return.
Total prizes US $8,000, medals 1/2/3rd.
SkyMarathon World Title, Breuil-Cervinia, Italy,
July 9, 8 am
Full marathon distance, 42km over trails and glacier with a total
2,600m elevation gain.
Mass start in Piazzale Breithorn 1,990m, Oriondè Refuge,
Plan Maison, Plateau Rosà, Breithorn, 4160m and return.
Total prizes US $15,000, medals 1/2/3rd.
Skyrunning & SkySports Combined Events World
Titles
Skyrunning Combined event based on skyrunning results in the VK
(max 40 points) and SkyMarathon (max 60 points). The SkySports
Combined Events title is based on the top three places of three
races (two different disciplines). Total prizes US $10,000, medals
1/2/3rd.
. RULES
The rules are based on the FSA Skyrunning 2000 rules, and the
ICF and the IFS rules. Equipment: tights, L/S top, vest, sunglasses,
head band or hat, gloves and trail running shoes for the SkyMarathon
and SkyRace. The same applies to the SkySki race, except the shoes
should have a crampon attachment. A sports medical certificate
is mandatory and can be obtained on site for a fee. Antidoping
blood tests are mandatory for the first male/female places and
five random tests will be carried out in each race.
Course details and rules, logistics information and sanctions
will be indicated in the race information sheet for each race.
QUALIFICATION
Skyrunning: Entry is admitted to athletes who have completed an
FSA race in ’99 within 20% of the winning time or 30% for
the combined event. SkyRace or SkyMarathon qualifiers can participate
in the Vertical Kilometer. If a specific race does not exist in
your country, it’s possible to qualify by finishing within
10% of the winning time in an approved race.
SkyBike: Entry is admitted to athletes who have completed an international
long distance bike race, duathlon o triathlon in ’99, or
those who have already participated in a SkyBike race.
SkySki: Entry is admitted to athletes who have completed a SkySki
race or International Ski Touring race within 20% of the winning
time (‘99/2000). Snowboarders (using snowshoes for the ascent)
who have completed a national.free riding race are also admitted.
White Card: Entry is admitted to national and international mountain
running champions (’99), SkySports world record holders,
and the ’99 national winners of skyrunning races not included
in the above.
INVITATIONS
Male and female winners of the qualifying races are invited by
the organization and the first three athletes of each nation will
be offered hospitality.
‘Sky’
sports have given new insight to performance at altitude. Traditional
boundaries and preconceived limits of human performance have been
swept away to make room for a new sports concept – skyrunning.
RACE
DETAILS