Die Französin Marion Delespierre gewinnt den Trail Long der Damen über 86,9 Kilometer und 6500 Höhenmeter vor der Deutschen Katharina Hartmuth und Manon Bohard Cailler (FRA). Über den Großteil den Rennens waren die besten zehn Damen innerhalb weniger Minuten. Titelverteidigerin Blandine L’Hirondel musste schon nach der ersten Schleife in Neustift aufgeben. Als beste Österreicherin belegte Claudia Rosegger den starken 19. Platz.
While the women’s Trail Short on Thursday was exciting enough, the decision on the Trail Long was even more suspenseful. The first surprise came only 18 kilometers after the start, when defending champion Blandine L’Hirondel had to abort the race. Following this, Marcela Vasinova from Czechia kept the lead for a long time and was able to play to her strength in the steep parts. However, she had problems in the downhill, which allowed Katharina Hartmuth to come closer and closer before finally gaining on her during the climb to the Hoadl. Then we got to see something that is rather rare at World Championships - the two competitors walking next to each other and chatting for several hundred meters. Behind them, the following seven ladies all came within a distance of four to five minutes.
Just like Andreas Reiterer among the men, Hartmuth was the expected winner, but just like him she was overtaken - in her case by Marion Delespierre. On the tar section leading up to the Nordkette, the German tried to keep up but had to admit defeat during the ascent towards the Aspach hut as she just couldn’t keep up with the Frenchwoman’s speed any longer. Not only that, she also had to fend off Manon Bohard Cailler who kept creeping closer. Her efforts evidently paid off - Katharina Hartmuth won Silver.
From the start of the race in Neustift, Claudia Rosegger took the lead among the Austrians, being among the top 15 for a long time and finally finishing in 19th place, crossing the finish line at the forecourt of the Tyrol State Theater 1:20 hours after Delespierre.
