Paris:
Benjamin Vedrines, a rising star in French mountaineering, has broken the record for the fastest ascent and descent of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe. This remarkable achievement surpasses a record that had stood for over a decade, his team announced on Sunday.
Vedrines completed the challenging journey on Saturday, starting from Chamonix and reaching the 4,809-meter (15,777 feet) peak and returning to the resort in record time. His accomplishment was three minutes faster than the previous record set by the renowned Spanish ultra-runner, Kilian Jornet, in 2013.
Setting off just before 9:00 am, the 32-year-old Vedrines, known for his expertise in fast alpine-style ascents, completed the round trip from Chamonix to the summit of Mont Blanc in an impressive 4 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds.
“I was initially in disbelief. This record has always intrigued me, but I never thought I could achieve it. I lacked the confidence to even attempt it,” Vedrines expressed in a statement provided to AFP.
While Jornet ran to the summit, Vedrines, who also holds the speed ascent record of K2 in Pakistan, combined trail-running and skiing for his remarkable feat.
“Bravo, what a performance. The artist,” Jornet, who is currently preparing for the prestigious US Western States race in June, praised Vedrines on social media.
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