New Record | Iris Pessey conquers the Mont Blanc!
SCOTT athlete Iris Pessey has set an impressive new record on the Mont Blanc, running from the Chamonix church up to the summit and paragliding down.
This morning (June 18th, 2026), SCOTT athlete Iris Pessey completed a groundbreaking Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Mont Blanc, combining a powerful foot ascent from the center of Chamonix with a paragliding descent - a first of its kind for a woman.
Starting from the iconic Chamonix church, Iris covered approximately 16 km with 3,800 m of elevation gain to the summit of Mont Blanc (4,810 m). She then descended by paraglider in the "Mont Blanc Express" project, redefining what performance and adventure can look like in the mountains.
Iris, a skyrunning champion and passionate paraglider, completed the ascent in 5 hours 12 minutes, cutting off ten minutes from the previous record and setting a new benchmark on this iconic summit. Her paragliding descent added both an extra layer of challenge and a powerful symbol of freedom and joy in the mountains, completing the overall route in 5 hours 34 minutes.
A "Funny Day" with Friends
As Iris described it: "The whole goal of this is not chasing the performance, but rather having a good day with friends. A kind of funny day where you start running from the village to reach the Mont Blanc and glide down."
This project was a true team effort involving Iris Pessey, her long-time friend and guide Matthieu Meynadier, and snowboarder Marion Haerty, with the support of SCOTT and her other key partners.
A professional short film by Glace Noir films documenting the full journey will be released in the coming weeks.
"At the finish, I wasn't thinking about the record time. I mostly felt relief and gratitude towards all the people who helped me build this project.
Because deep down, this journey was never an individual story - it has always been a shared adventure."
Iris Pessey
Women's FKT on the Mont Blanc · SCOTT Running Athlete
About Iris Pessey
Iris Pessey is a French skyrunning champion and paragliding athlete known for her infectious energy, technical mastery, and ability to push boundaries while keeping joy at the heart of her adventures. As a SCOTT athlete, she perfectly embodies the brand's spirit of innovative, high-performance mountain gear for real adventures.
SCOTT proudly equipped Iris with the latest trail running footwear, technical apparel, and mountain gear designed for high-alpine performance and fast movement in demanding terrain.
What's next for Iris?
Just one week after her Mont Blanc feat, Iris will take on a new challenge as she toes the line at the 90 km du Mont Blanc on June 26. It marks her step into long-distance racing, opening a new chapter in her competitive journey.