MILLET TOUR DU RUTOR EXTRÊME. Registrations open, 21st edition in March.

Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême, registrations open for the unique 2024 Italian stage of La Grande Course, the impressive cir­cuit that includes the most famous super-classics of the Alps and the Pyrenean Cordillera.
Celebrating its 21st edition this year, the most technical of the Italian ski mountaineering competitions will be staged from 22nd to 24th March on Aosta Valley peaks of La Thuile, Valgrisenche and Arvier in the usual two athletes team formula for the absolute sector and individual formula for the youth categories with tailor-made routes specially designed for them. Not only that, the TDR 2024 will also be valid as the final stage of the FISI Coppa Italia circuit.

As always, promotion of the territory and its food and wine excellences will be the backdrop to three great stages characterised by high altitude and mountaineering routes in true off-piste style: 7500 m of positive altitude difference, 30 set-up changes, 105 km, 60 of climbs, 45 of free ride, 6 of ridges and couloirs with crossings over 3000 metres are the numbers of a race that has become a myth, tradition and legend.
The TDR organising committee, supported by the volunteers of the Corrado Gex Ski Club, avails itself of the experience of the Alpine Guides Marco Camandona and Roger Bovard who, over the past few years, have created a young, dynamic and competent staff of route setters; former skimo athletes who know how to meet the needs of the most demanding ski mountaineers.
In 2022, for the 20th edition, valid as the Long-Distance World Championship by ISMF, 350 competitors from 15 different countries lined up on the starting blocks. Beneath the shadow of the iconic peak from which it takes its name, the greatest champions of recent generations were racing. Awaiting them are three ‘old style’ ski mountaineering stages proposed and communicated in a modern key. Test bench three stages spread over three very intense days.

DAY 1

The opening stage will have a real eye catcher with departure from the centre of La Thuile and arrival in Valgrisenche. A ‘huge race’ with no less than 2400 m of uphill that will, in part, recall the route of 1933; namely of the ‘first edition’ of the Tour du Rutor then known as the ‘Rutor Trophy’. A spectacular traverse on one of the largest glaciers in Aosta Valley. Trust us, it will be a memorable day that will severely challenge all competitors.

DAY 2

For the second day we will be back in Valgrisenche, but in true ‘TDR Style’…. Compared to the past, a more modern stage will be proposed with 3 climbs and a mountaineering section of the Cresta that leads to the summit of Alpe Vielle (highest point at 2963m), then down into the valley of San Grato on the border with France and up an untouched slope that will lead to the nosedive towards the finish line. In this case you will face a total of 2100 metres of climbing. Does that sound like a few? They are not. This stage has been specially designed to give the athletes a breathing space and make them recover their energy after a demanding first day and in view of the great finale on the peaks of Rutor and Château Blanc.

DAY 3

From the past to the present. The third stage will be held where the modern TDR was born, starting, and finishing at Planaval in the municipality of Arvier (1,554 metres above sea level); it includes a spectacular loop around Château-Blanc. A route that will take the athletes to the summit at an altitude of 3,422 metres above sea level after passing the Orfeuille (1,982 metres above sea level) and Plan-Petet (2,282 metres above sea level) mountain pastures. The positive altitude difference on this stage will be around 2,300 metres.

By combining the best times of the three stages, the winners will be able to engrave their names in the legendary TDR roll of honour and each finisher will be a real hero.

 For more information and registration: www.tourdurutor.com