ISF Unveils 2026 Vertikal Open World Cup Calendar with Nine Global Races
The ninth season of the ISF's vertical kilometer series kicks off in Portugal on March 7, featuring two challenging events in Andorra and expanding.
Key Points
- Season starts March 7 in Portugal; Andorra hosts rounds 2 (May 22, 1,030m gain) and 4 (June 6, 1,400m ascent).
- Expands to Canada (June 26), US (July 4), Colombia (Aug 6) alongside Europe and Japan.
- Minimum three races required for finals qualification; location TBD.
- Defending 2025 champion: Andorran Arnau Soldevila.
The International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) has published the 2026 calendar for the Vertikal Open World Cup, previously known as the VK Open. Entering its ninth season, the series—ISF's sole homologated vertical kilometer competition—will feature nine races worldwide, with two in Andorra: the Travessa d’Encamp and Casamanya Extrem Vertical Race.
The campaign kicks off on March 7 with the KM Vertical de Cámara de Lobos in Portugal. Andorra's Travessa d’Encamp follows on May 22 as the second round, covering 5 kilometers with 1,030 meters of positive elevation gain. The Biwako Valley Vertical in Japan slots in as the third event shortly after, before the Casamanya Extrem Vertical Race on June 6—the fourth stop—with a 5.5-kilometer course and 1,400 meters of ascent, among the circuit's toughest challenges.
The calendar continues with Canada on June 26, the United States on July 4, and Colombia on August 6, highlighting the series' international expansion to new venues in North and South America alongside established European and Asian stops. Runners must complete at least three races to qualify for the finals, whose location remains unconfirmed.
Andorran athlete Arnau Soldevila enters as the defending 2025 champion, bringing added local prominence to the season.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: