Shahdag, Azerbaijan Hosts Inaugural ISMF Series Race
Media Information
Shahdag, Azerbaijan Hosts Inaugural ISMF Series Race
Shahdag, 10 March 2024 – In a historic moment for Azerbaijan’s winter sports scene, the first-ever Shahdag ISMF Series race took place over the weekend, organized by the Azerbaijan Winter Sport Federation in collaboration with the European Council of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF). A groundbreaking event that marked the country’s debut in hosting an international ski-mountaineering competition, drawing participants from 13 different countries.
The race unfolded over two thrilling days, featuring a high-paced sprint race on Saturday and a challenging vertical race on Sunday. Athletes from around the world gathered at the stunning Shahdag Mountain Resort to compete in the diverse and demanding terrains of the Caucasus Mountains.
On Saturday, the sprint race showcased the athletes’ agility, speed, and endurance as they navigated a dynamic course. Austria’s Andreas Mayer emerged victorious in the men’s category, while Jakib Siarnik (SVK) and Nikola Kalistrin (BGR) rounded the podium on the senior category. David Jost (GER), Emihram Karst (TUR) and Mathys Nogueras (FRA) were the top three athletes on the U20 category, while on the U18 men’s the first three were Moritz Bauregger (GER), Baptiste Carricart (FRA) and Simon Widmoser (AUT).
Nicola Matkova from Slovakia displayed an impressive performance to secure the victory on the female senior Sprint race, with Nazrin Garigova (AZE) delighted local spectarors claiming the silver medal, and Marzieh Beha (IRN) finished in the third place. On the women’s U18 category, victory was for Helena Euringer (GER), followed on the finish line by Eva Sophie Weigl (AUT) and Sueda Sultan Ueci (TUR).
Sunday’s vertical race added an additional layer of difficulty, with participants ascending 505+m of vertical slopes in a test of both physical and mental strength. Jakub Siarnik of Slovakia dominated the men’s vertical race, while Nikola Kalistrin (BGR) repeated the silver medal on the second day of competition, and Andreas Mayer (AUT) rounded the podium. On the U20 category, the podium was a repetition of the Sprint race, with Jost, Karst and Nogueras claiming the top three spots, while on the U18 category the victory was for Moritz Bauregger (AUT), followed by Adriá Isal Garcia (AND) and Simon Widmoser (AUT).
On the women’s race, Nicola Matkova continued her winning streak, claiming the top spot in the vertical race and solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with in ski-mountaineering. Silver medal was for Marzieh Beha (IRN), while the bronze on the day was for Nazrin Garigova (AZE). On the U18 category, victory for Helena Euringer (GER), with the silver medal going to Eva Sophie Weigl (AUT) and the bronze for Ekin Aigdogdu (TUR).
The event not only showcased the competitive spirit of the athletes but also highlighted the picturesque landscapes and potential of Shahdag as a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The participants, representing diverse nations, praised the well-organized event and expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s Winter Sport Federation and the European Council of ISMF expressed their satisfaction with the successful delivery of the event and emphasized their commitment to further developing ski-mountaineering in the region.