Yesterday, we reported on Benjamin Vedrines’ record-breaking ascent of Mont Blanc — less than five hours from Chamonix to the summit and back again. A week earlier, on May 16, France’s Elise Poncet set a new women’s Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the round trip on skis. She completed the 35km route, which also involved 3,840m of elevation gain, in 6 hours, 54 minutes, and 47 seconds.
Poncet started at 5 am from the church in Chamonix — the same starting point as Vedrines — and followed the Grand Mulet route. Despite challenging conditions, including winds up to 70kph and temperatures around minus 15°C at the summit, she reached the top in 5 hours and 39 minutes. Poncet then completed the descent in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Poncet was supported by a team that included her good friend Hillary Gerardi (who holds the women’s running speed record on Mont Blanc) and Austrian ski mountaineer Jakob Herrmann.
”Now, Mont Blanc is something [Gerardi and I] share -– with the foot record for her, and the ski record for me,” recalled Poncet on social media. “It’s ultimately the best thing that could have happened to us, and the best way to cement our friendship.”
Elise Poncet on Mont Blanc. Photo: Adrien Colleur
Previous record
The previous women’s FKT on skis was set by American Anna DeMonte, who completed the round trip on June 5, 2024, in 7 hours and 29 minutes. Poncet beat DeMonte by approximately 34 minutes. DeMonte achieved her success despite a 30m fall on the way up, which cost her time.
Twenty-nine-year-old Elise Poncet is known for her achievements in trail running, cross-country, and ski mountaineering. Eleven years ago, she won the French Junior Mountain Running Championship. She was a bronze medalist at the European Championships and won silver in mountain running in 2019. Poncet became the French champion in 2022. Poncet also started ski mountaineering in 2020.
Elise Poncet. Photo: Adrien Colleur
Currently, the Mont Blanc round-trip FKT records are:
- On foot, for women: Hillary Gerard, June 17, 2023, 7 hours 25 minutes 28 seconds.
- On foot, for men: Kilian Jornet, July 11, 2013, 4 hours 57 minutes 40 seconds.
Elise Poncet now holds the women’s FKT on skis: 6 hours 54min 47sec, while Benjamin Vedrines set the men’s record on May 24, with a time of 4 hours 54 minutes 41 seconds. He beat Jack Kuenzle’s June 2024 time of 4 hours and 59 minutes. Both Poncet’s and Vedrines’ climbs are listed as “supported,” according to Skimostats.
Elise Poncet, followed by Jakob Herrmann, during the ascent of Mont Blanc. Photo: Adrien Colleur
