French mountaineer sets new Mont Blanc speed climb record
Vedrines' effort on Saturday to reach the 4,809 (15,777 feet) metre peak from Chamonix and then return to the resort was three minutes faster than that set by the Spanish ultra-running icon Kilian Jornet in 2013.
Having set out just before 9:00 am, Vedrines, 32, a specialist in rapid alpine-style ascents, completed the round trip from the church in Chamonix at 1,043 meters (3,422 feet) to the summit of Mont Blanc in a whirlwind 4 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds.
"I really didn't believe it at first. It's a record that fascinated me, but I never thought I was capable of it, I really lacked the confidence to attempt it," the climber said in a statement sent to AFP.
Jornet ran to the summit while Vedrines, who also holds the record for a speed ascent of K2 in Pakistan, mixed trail-running and skiing.
"Bravo, what a show. The artist," Jornet, currently preparing for the prestigious US Western States race in June, wrote in tribute on social media.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
6 hours ago
- France 24
World Cup 2026 host cities say fans 'welcome'
In a briefing in New York that came just over a year from the opening game of the tournament on June 11, 2026, officials said President Donald Trump's administration remained "extremely supportive" of the World Cup. Since returning to power, Trump has started a global trade war, threatened to annex Canada and launched a border crackdown that has led to harsh treatment of foreign visitors attempting to enter the United States. Trump's immigration offensive has in turn led to civil unrest, with clashes in Los Angeles over the weekend triggered by large-scale raids last week. Eleven American cities will host the bulk of the games at next year's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by three nations for the first time and has been expanded to include 48 teams. Executives from the local organising committees for the 11 US World Cup venues gathered in New York on Monday to brief on logistical aspects of the tournament, including transportation, stadium access, fan zones as well as general access to the United States. "For each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome," said Meg Kane, head of the Philadelphia organising committee. 'Extremely supportive' Kane said while officials were planning "within uncertainty" due to matters taking place at national and international level, the Trump administration was firmly behind the tournament. "We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made," Kane said. "What we can say is that the current administration -- while there are certain situations that we are monitoring closely -- has been extremely supportive of FIFA World Cup." Alex Lasry, the chief executive of the New York/New Jersey World Cup committee said officials were bracing for "millions" of fans inside and outside the stadiums irrespective of the political climate. "I think sports transcends geopolitics," Lasry told AFP. "I think we've seen that for Olympics. We've seen it for other World Cups, in Qatar or Russia. "People want to come to these mega sporting events, and they're going to travel to ensure that they're able to cheer on and see their team play. "Our job as a host committee is to make sure that we are putting on an event and making sure that our city and our region is ready to welcome everyone who's able to come to the World Cup," added Lasry, who was previously an assistant secretary for tourism in President Joe Biden's government. Los Angeles World Cup committee vice-president Jason Krutzsch said organisers were working to ensure fans "understand that they are welcome in Los Angeles and will have an amazing World Cup experience." "We're working closely with the administration," Krutzsch said adding that Trump's World Cup Task Force was established to "make sure that we can welcome fans from around the world and deliver an exceptional experience." As well as hosting games at the World Cup, Los Angeles will also stage the Super Bowl in 2027 before hosting the 2028 Olympics. "We really want to make sure that 2026 goes well," Krutzsch said. "We're really focused on delivering an exceptional experience in 2026 for the world.
France 24
14 hours ago
- France 24
South Africa boosted by Broad chat ahead of WTC final against Australia
Broad bowed out of international action two years ago, having taken 604 wickets in 167 Tests, with many of his best performances reserved for arch-rivals Australia. The 38-year-old met with the South Africans over a meal on Sunday to help with their preparations for the match against the reigning champions, starting on Wednesday. "It was just a casual chat but if the guys hadn't called time at 10:30 pm (2130 GMT) we'd still be there chatting," Conrad told reporters at Lord's on Monday. "Everybody walked away thinking that was great." Conrad said he also welcomed a visit to training on Sunday by former South Africa captain Graeme Smith. "He's a legend in South African cricket, the most successful Test captain we have had," he said. "He's not going to impose himself but if anyone wants to have a chat he's there for that." Conrad said the interactions with Broad and Smith were not formal consultations. "It's just using whatever we can. If it adds value, great." Asked about criticism that South Africa had an easy route to the final, having not played against Australia or England during the championship cycle, Conrad said: "I'm tired of speaking about it. We're here and we've got a chance to walk away as world Test champions." © 2025 AFP
France 24
18 hours ago
- France 24
Beaten Sinner extends lead on Alcaraz at top of ATP rankings
Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in the semi-finals last year, gained 500 points for reaching this year's final. Spaniard Alcaraz lifted the title for the second straight year, gained no points and remained second. Germany's Alexander Zverev remained third despite his quarter-final elimination to Novak Djokovic. At 38, Serb Djokovic, who was unable to take a set from Sinner in the semi-finals despite a strong fight, climbed one place to fifth, still behind Jack Draper. The Briton also climbed one place to a career-high fourth after his memorable loss in the round of 16 to Alexander Bublik. The latter, who was then swept aside by Sinner, jumped 19 places to 43rd. Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, forced to retire against Alcaraz in the semi-final, continued his ascent with another place gain to reach world number six for the first time. Taylor Fritz, eliminated in the first round, dropped three places to seven with fellow American Tommy Paul climbing to eighth, his best ranking ever. Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist, dropped eight places to No. 16 in the ATP rankings after losing in the second round this year. ATP rankings: 1. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 10,880 pts 2. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 8,850 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,385 4. Jack Draper (GBR) 4,800 (+1) 5. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 4,630 (+1) 6. Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 4,560 (+1) 7. Taylor Fritz (USA) 4,485 (-3) 8. Tommy Paul (USA) 3,510 (+4) 9. Holger Rune (DEN) 3,440 (+1) 10. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 3,285 (-1) 11. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 3,100 12. Ben Shelton (USA) 3,080 (+1) 13. Frances Tiafoe (USA) 3,015 (+3) 14. Arthur Fils (FRA) 2,935 15. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 2,920 16. Casper Ruud (NOR) 2,905 (-8) 17. Jakub Mensik (CZE) 2,322 (+2) 18. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) 2,285 19. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2,205 (-2) 20. Ugo Humbert (FRA) 2,195 (+1) © 2025 AFP
