Press-release
IV international Elbrus Race
September, 15-17
Organizers: TOP SPORT TRAVEL (www.sklon.ru) and WWW.RUSSIANCLIMB.COM
Press release
September, 22, 2008
34 athletes were registered as Elbrus Race competitors - more than in previous races (2005, 2006, 2007) - it means that the race became more popular. They љarrived from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bielorussia, Germany, India and Indonesia. Russian climbers were from many different regions.
Elbrus Race competitions were supported by the Government and Sport Committee of Republic Kabardino-Balkaria (North Caucasus). Sponsors also were Tramontana (Outdoor equipment shop in Saint Petersburg), Top Sport Travel, Russianclimb.com, Elba Hotel (Elbrus region), Elbrus Cable Car Station, Bochki, S10 company, transfer drivers Muhud Baidaev and Olga Shuvalova.
On the Saddle: Serguey Fursov is coming!
Not far above the Saddle - the most hard part of the climb!
Due to the fine weather and experience all competitors descended successfully after reaching the top. Elbrus Race was under the patronage of Elbrus Rescue Service.Four athletes started in Extreme class: from Elbrus bottom (Azau, 2400) till West Top (5642 m). Three of them - Roman Gubanov (Teberda, Caucasus), Victor Kamenskih (Lysva, Perm region) and Vladimir Kouznetsov (Samara) took part in Elbrus Race for the third time already.
The fourth was Andrew Mariev (Togliatti) - he is well-known high-altitude mountaineer, he climbed Everest North Face in 2004, K2 West Face in 2007.
The first, who had reached Elbrus West top in Extreme class, was Roman Gubanov (he's also known for his K2 climb in 2007, Abrucci Ridge) - his result was 4 hrs 53 min - very good result! In 2006 Roman run in Classics class from Garabashi (3708 m) and his result was 3 hrs 07 min 07 sec, in 2007 he run from Garabashi in 2 hrs 51 min 38 sec.
The second in Extreme class was Andrew Mariev - his result was 5 hrs 47 min.
The third place took Vladimir Kouznetsov - 6 hrs 08 min 40 sec. In 2005 he had run from Garabashi to the West op in 7 hrs 05 min. in 2007 - 4 hours 19 min.
The Winner in "Classic" class became Serguey Fursov (Nevinnomyssk) - 2 hrs 46 min 40 sec! Only some seconds his result lost to the 2006-year result by Andrew Puchinin - 2 hrs 46 min 09 sec! Andrew was that year well-experienced skyrunner, took place already in many Races (including Khan Tengry in 2003), but Serguey was now only newcomer: His result will add the intrigue to the future Race in 2009, because everybody can see how fast rise results of the athletes, who come to the Elbrus Race more than once:
22 athletes started from Garabashi (3708) on 6 a.m. Sep, 16, but only 13 of them had reached the West top, others couldn't run to the Col in time (control time was 12 a.m.)
The only woman, who could reach the summit, was Anna Petrova (Prohladny) - her time was 4 hrs 38 min! She already took place in Elbrus Race in 2006, but she wasn't lucky: she reached the Col 12-05, only 5 minutes after control time, and was obliged to descent. And now she had great result!
Every ELBRUS RACE competitions are the important experience. It must be analised and used for the future competitions. This year race showed that, beside of Extreme and Classic,љ we need the third class with another regulations for competitors - special for newcomers, who only want to try to take part in Elbrus Race.љ Organizers will do their best for every athlete will find his interesting part in future Elbrus Race in 2009.
Serguey Fursov - the Winner in Classic class
Serguey Fursov, Roman Gubanov and Anna Petrova (the Winner among women).
Photo: George Rudenko
by Elena Laletina, RussianClimb.com