For 25 years, Blandine L’Hirondel has been living in Normandy - at sea level. Today, the 32-year old French athlete is one of the best – if not the best – trail runners in the world. She took home the title of World Trail Running Champion twice – 2019 in Portugal, and 2022 at the first ever WMTRC in Thailand; in between, she succeeded in the French Mountain Running Championships, twice again, in addition to taking home the title of European Champion in the Canaries and winning both the OCC and CCC.

It’s her meticulous preparation that makes L’Hirondel so strong. The likable French runner has been in Tyrol since May 24, living high up but also running part of the Ultra trail between Neustift and Innsbruck over and over again, both in order to get used to the conditions that are to be expected during the contest.

And this is the verdict of someone who should know: “The route is extremely tough with lots of up- and downhills and many meters in altitude. It’s not like the course doesn’t have its beauty but - it is extremely difficult.”

As the saying goes: When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and L’Hirondel is not shy in the face of a challenge. What she needs is the right strategy, as she says; she needs to manage her strength in order to get to the finish line – and as long as she can do that it should be a good day.

“It is a question of starting the race highly motivated yet without any big expectations. It is all about being able to accomplish a strong finish and not getting injured,” the trail running superstar muses. “And in case there are expectations, they should be centered on the hope of defending last year’s team title with the French team. We have a really good and strong group, so everything is possible. It is my first objective.”

Really now? It is hard to believe that the World Champion who these days resides at 800 meters above sea level in Mende, the prefecture of the department of Lozère, where she works as a gynecologist, should not be thinking about defending her own title. She laughs: “Of course it would be great if I was able to take home the individual title too but I am sure that the competition will be fierce – and as I said, this course does not lend itself to an easy win.”

It is L’Hirondel’s first time in Austria and she is in awe of this year’s host regions: “Pretty towns, a great city, fascinating alpine terrain – it’s just amazing! And because I love the mountains I am very keen to see more.”