Greydanus and Loomis defend crown at Montane Grand Traverse 2024

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As participants gathered for the 26^th Montane Grand Traverse backcountry ski race, they were greeted by daunting weather.

Avalanche potential meant conditions were unsafe, with race organisers taking the decision to reverse the route to mitigate potential hazards. Standing at the revised start line in Aspen, Colarado, as opposed to the original start line of Crested Butte, Colorado, participants prepared to embark on the 40-mile course.

Featuring a total ascent of 6,852 feet and a total descent of 8,264 feet, the Montane Grand Traverse 2024 course saw participants contend with the daunting high alpine terrain as they crossed through the Elk Mountain range. Racers required a set of Skimo skills, including downhill Alpine, uphill, and cross-country, in order to travel fast and light across the mountain range.

Due to weather and safety conditions, the exact course was not finalised until the day of the race and did not begin until midnight when the avalanche hazard decreased. For increased competitor safety, participants were also required to race in pairs along the remote route.

Regardless of the conditions, there was a race to be ran, and it was Logan Greydanus and Adam Loomis, both members of the US Skimo team, who backed up their victory at last year’s event with another win. The duo crossed the finish line in a speedy time of 5 hours and 35 minutes, which was 1 hour and 10 minutes quicker than their finish last year. Noah Williams and Jason McGowan, alongside Josh Smith and Daniel Weiland, rounded off the podium.

In the women’s event, there was a win for last year’s co-ed winner, Nikki LaRochelle, alongside partner Kelly Ahern. The duo crossed the finish line in a time of 7 hours and 5 minutes, ahead of runners-up Jenya Berino and Katie Keel, and third-placed Maddie Miller and Ellie Gilbertson.

Elsewhere, the co-ed event was won by #TeamMontane athlete, Jessica Yeaton, alongside her partner David Norris, with the team recording a time of 6 hours and 55 minutes. Second place was claimed by Ella Nuttelman and Chris Nuttelman, with Katie Lyons and Garrett Eggers grabbing bronze.

Speaking on the event, #TeamMontane athlete, Jessica Yeaton, commented: “It was really hard, although I expected it to be – it was definitely tough. The ice cream and hot tub afterwards were great though – it was the perfect breakfast!”

The Montane Grand Traverse is seen as a US ski bucket list event, after expanding its race offerings to include a mountain run and a biking race back in 2015. The three events now form a tri-race series, creating ‘The Montane Grand Traverse Triple Crown’, which is positioned as Colorado’s preeminent multi-sport, multi-season endurance challenge. The tri-race can be completed as individual events or as part of the wider Triple Crown series.

Speaking on the conclusion of the event, Montane’s Marketing Director, Matthew Hickman, said: “The Montane Grand Traverse is a truly unique event, requiring a variety of Skimo skills across a hugely challenging route over two days. After the brutal conditions witnessed last year, we were once again dealt hugely challenging weather, which only serves to make the performance of this year’s entrants even more impressive.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, I’m already eagerly anticipating the performances on display in the Montane Grand Traverse Mountain Run and Montane Grand Traverse Mountain Bike events in August and September, as we cap off the Montane Grand Traverse Triple Crown 2024.”

Montane Grand Traverse 2024 final results

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