This is the ninth time that this race, organized by the Mezzalama Trophy Foundation with the support of the Ayas Municipal Council, the Monte Rosa Tourist Information Service and the FSA (Federation for Sport at Altitude), has taken place. The course runs on footpaths through woods, fields and the moraine which coasts the striking glaciers of the Rosa group.

COURSE
Start in Saint-Jacques, Val d’Ayas (1680m).
Climb towards the upper and lower Verra Plains, which run through the valley up to an altitude of 2,380 metres. Then, climb to the left towards the “Lago Blu”, and cross the plain to the right to rejoin the path which coasts the great Verra glacier. Continue along the line of the crest until you reach the Mezzalama Refuge (3,036 metres).
The descent takes place along the same route, bringing you back to the square in Saint-Jacques.
Total distance: 15 kilometres approx.
Height difference: about 1,400 metres.
Maximum time allowed: 4 hours.
“Cancello orario”: 1 hour. This means that only competitors who finish within 1 hour of the fastest athlete of their sex to complete the course will be deemed to have successfully qualified.

PROGRAMME

Saturday 28th June – Piazza “De la Grotte”, Saint-Jacques. Temporary pavilion.
From 3pm to 6pm: enrolment and collection of number plaques.
4.30pm – “An Interlude with the Mezzalama Trophy: discover alpine skiing through its heroes”.
Entertainment and games aimed at children and all those who retain their childhood curiosity.
8.30pm – screening of a film of the 16th Mezzalama Trophy, world known competition from Breuil Cervinia to Gressoney.

Sunday 29th June
From 8am – 8.45am, athletes who have signed up but not yet collected their number plaques will be able to collect them.
9am: roll call, equipment check and athlete briefing.
9.30am: line up and start!
From 10am: “Arts and tastes” market in the square of the “Residence Bettaforca”.
10.30am – 11.00am: athletes reach the Mezzalama Refuge.
11.00am – 12.30am: athletes arrive back at Saint-Jacques
1pm: POLENTA PARTY OPEN TO EVERYONE. FREE for athletes, €15 for those accompanying them , and the general public.

RULES
The general FSA rules relating to skyrunning apply. Competitors are identified by a number plaque worn on their chest, which must be visible at all times and worn throughout the competition. It is compulsory to follow the signed route and to have with you a windproof jacket, wear trail running shoes and socks, a head band or head covering and shorts or leggings. Ski sticks and a camel bag may be used.
Checkpoints with supplies may be found at the Upper Verra Plain and the Mezzalama Refuge. Athletes may only consume their own refreshments within about 100 metres of these checkpoints. Athletes may not be accompanied.
FIC stopwatch. Maximum time allowed: 1 hour after the first athlete reaches the Mezzalama Refuge.
The Mezzalama Skyrace is the first of two qualifiers for the “Valdostano Skyrunning Championship 2007”.
The second will take place on the 3rd August at Pont Boset, Valle di Champorcher. The “6th Paolo Jacquin Memorial Pontboset Skyrace” will cover a total height difference of 2,000 metres, and an overall distance of 23.7 kilometres.
Info: www.atleticteam2000.it

ENROLMENT: from 1st June 2008
Preferably by e-mail through the www.trofeomezzalama.org website, or by faxing the Monterosa Tourist Information Service on +39 0125-307.078
Athletes will only be accepted with a medical certificate stating that they are fit for a competitive sport of this nature. The enrolment fee of  € 25,00 mat may be paid on collection of your number plaque on the Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning before 8.45am.
Women and non-Italian nationals are exempt from the enrolment fee.

For further information, please contact:
The Fondazione Trofeo Mezzalama (mezzalama@trofeomezzalama.org) tel. +39 348-5252973
For hotel reservations:  Consorzio Turistico Val d’Ayas Monte Rosa, Tel. +39 0125.307.392.