A total of 60 competitors in the two day event with two Italian racers coming out on top

MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – Jan. 29 – Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) hosted the inaugural GORE-TEX North American Ski Mountaineering Championships this weekend under sunny skies with competitors from Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Canada and the United States. Day One of the race was a short sprint course leading racers on a quick up and down at the ski resort, early yesterday morning. Today during Day Two, the individual race course climbed roughly 5,000 vertical feet and took racers to the Peak of Crested Butte Mountain; an elevation of 12,162 feet. A route of this difficulty has never been seen in a North American competition before; a low class-five technical boot pack ascent via fixed rope up the famed Guides Ridge. Racers were required to use mountaineering gear to fully harness themselves into 1,000 feet of line rigged by Crested Butte Professional Ski Patrol along the narrow ridge.

“Today’s event put mountaineering back into the sport of ski mountaineering,” says Bryan Wickenhauser, race director. “Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the venue to showcase ski mountaineering in North America, offering the perfect terrain for a race of this caliber.”

After two days of racing, Manfred Reichegger from Italy finished first in the men’s field with a combined time of 2:03:23, with Lorenzo Holzknecht, also of Italy, and Reiner Thoni, of Canada, taking second and third, respectively. Janelle Smiley, of Crested Butte, led the women with an overall time of 2:45:39. Sari Anderson, of Carbondale, CO came in second place and Stevie Kremer, another Crested Butte local, finished third.

“ISMF was very pleased to have another international calendar event in North America, says David Dorian, technical judge for the International Ski Mountaineering Federation. “Crested Butte was admirable, the community stepped up to put on this event and the terrain here was fantastic. We are very appreciative of the resources the resort gave and yes, we hope to be able to return someday.”

Results:

RACE DIVISION – MEN

1 Manfred Reichegger Italy 2:03:23

2 Lorenzo Holzknecht Italy 2:07:16

3 Reiner Thoni Canada 2:12:47

4 Luke Nelson United States 2:20:11

5 Jason Dorais United States 2:24:58

6 Marshall Thomson United States 2:26:43

7 Jared Inouye United States 2:29:37

8 Andrew McNab Canada 2:32:14

9 Travis Scheefer United States 2:35:12

10 Andy Dorais United States 2:35:30

RACE DIVISION – WOMEN

1 Janelle Smiley United States 2:45:39

2 Sari Anderson United States 2:50:31

3 Stevie Kremer United States 3:09:14

4 Gemma Arro Ribot Spain 3:19:05

5 Melanie Bernier Canada 3:19:30

6 Jari Kirkland United 3:24:35

7 Julie Matteau Canada 3:43:34

8 Lindsay Plant United States 3:56:34

9 Lyndsay Meyer United States 3:57:27

10 Jen Gersbach United States 4:01:16

For a full list of results, visit www.skicb.com/skimo

Today’s race was also one of ten races in the Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup (COSMIC) race series with the next stop at Winter Park Ski Resort January 30, 2012.

About Crested Butte:

Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Crested Butte is committed to preserving the pristine landscape and mountain lifestyle. With vibrant Victorian store fronts and expressive local characters, the small historic town remains true to its heritage and radiates an unparalleled welcoming and inviting spirit that celebrates a simpler life and time. Thanks to a widely diverse landscape, outdoor enthusiasts of all levels will find a new challenge with each visit. From world-class mountain biking, to legendary skiing and snowboarding, to a secluded fly-fishing experience, Crested Butte is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. www.skicb.com

For more information about Crested Butte’s lodging, conference, meeting facilities, and special packages, call Crested Butte Vacations, (800) 600-2803 or visit the web site at www.skicb.com .