Marco De Gasperi wins in Russia
The new format Skyrunner® World Series kicks off with the first race of the season on the icy slopes of Russia’s Mout Elbrus – with nothing less than two skyrunning world champions competing! 
The Elbrus Vertical Kilometer® on May 7 marked the start of the rich Skyrunner® World Series season. Winner of the first race on the new calendar is “vertical” specialist, Italy’s Marco De Gasperi (SCOTT), six times World Mountain Running champion and, second, reigning Skyrunner® World Series champion, Spaniard Luis Hernandez.
De Gasperi’s achievement today on Elbrus sets a new Vertical Kilometer® record in the 3,000m altitude sector: 1,000 vertical metres between the 2,450m start and 3,450m finish – on snow. For the record: 44’39’’. The Skyrunner® World Champion, Luis Hernandez, was second with a time of 45’47” while the Russian athlete, Alexander Bolhovitin, took third place, 7’ behind.
The first leg of the 2012 World Series confirms the prowess of the top men’s athletes in the 2011 Skyrunner® SuperCup in Malaysia: Kilian Jornet, Marco De Gasperi and Luis Hernandez.
Provisional Skyrunner® World Series ranking/Men:
1. Marco De Gasperi (ITA) - 100 points
2. Luis Alberto Hernandez (ESP) - 88 points
3. Alexander Bolhovitin (RUS) - 78 points
Pictures: © by Nataly Lapina