Andorran Samu Ponce Wins Bronze in Skyrunning Worlds Ultra Race
Representing Andorra, Samu Ponce secured a podium finish among 48 men, battling steep climbs and maintaining top-three position through key checkpoints on the demanding course.
Key Points
- Samu Ponce finished 3rd in men's 62.3km ultra race with 3,775m elevation gain in 6:21:40.
- Trailed Italy's Cristian Minoggio (6:12:12) by 9:28; Spain's Julen Calvo Vigara took silver (6:19:02).
- Held 2nd at early checkpoints before settling into 3rd, averaging 6:08/km pace.
- Represented Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme at La Gomera event.
Andorran athlete Samu Ponce earned a bronze medal in the ultra race at the Skyrunning World Championships in La Gomera, finishing third among 48 competitors in the men's category.
Ponce, representing the Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme (FAM), covered the 62.3-kilometre course with 3,775 metres of elevation gain in 6 hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds. He trailed winner Cristian Minoggio of Italy by 9 minutes and 28 seconds, with Minoggio posting 6:12:12. Spain's Julen Calvo Vigara took silver in 6:19:02, finishing 2 minutes and 38 seconds ahead of Ponce.
The Andorran stayed in podium contention throughout. He reached the first checkpoint at Playa Vallehermoso (7.5 km) in second place at 38:55, holding that spot through Vallehermoso (19.5 km) in 1:58:50. Ponce slipped to third by the Aceviños point (31.5 km) and maintained the position at later controls: Los Tiles (36.7 km), El Cedro (40.5 km), El Atajo (50.5 km), Laguerode (54.5 km) and La Cabezada (59.5 km), sustaining a pace of 6:08 per kilometre.
Ponce's strong showing secured him a place on the podium at the event held over the weekend.
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