14km in 32 minutes on skis, sounds pretty good going. It sounds even better when you realise this is the new speed skiing record from the Summit of Mont Blanc to the town center in Chamonix and also involved a run and a bike descent.
After being delayed by avalanche risk and poor weather French skiers Antoine Montegani and Nicolas Anthonioz have finally realized their dream that had been three years in planning. They skied down to the snow line, ran through the woods, briefly getting lost then hopped on their bikes still wearing ski boots and pedalled all the way to the church on Chamonix's main square. All that in just 32 minutes.
Ski mountaineers Kilian Jornet and Mathéo Jacquemoud will attempt a new record for the climb and ski descent. This is currently held by Pierre Gignoux and the late Stéphane Brosse set on the 30th May 2003. Brosse and Gignoux took 5h15 for the round trip from the Church in Chamonix with a descent in 1h08. Not bad on matchstick like touring skis.
Jacquemoud and Jornet hold first and second place in the 2013 Courchevel Vertical Challenge ski ascent.