Gold medalist Margot Ravinel (C) of France, silver medalist Maria Ordonez Cobacho (L) of Spain and bronze medalist Ares Torra of Spain celebrate during the mascot ceremony for the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
TURIN, Italy, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- France's Margot Ravinel won the first-ever ski mountaineering gold in the FISU Games history on Thursday, as the sport made its debut at the Turin 2025 World University Winter Games.
In 2023, ski mountaineering was officially recognized as a sport by FISU.
Margot Ravinel secured victory in the women's sprint with a time of four minutes and 45.80 seconds, while Spain celebrated a double podium finish with Maria Ordonez Cobacho earning silver and Ares Torra claiming bronze.
"For my school, this competition is very important because it promotes university sport very much and it is also very strong," said Ravinel, excited and satisfied with her performance. "I am really happy to be able to bring home this result, which is so important for them, and share it with the other French athletes."
"It's the first time for ski mountaineering at the FISU Games and it's great to be here. I would like our sport to be more and more known and practised so that I can also compare myself with other athletes and grow," added the 22-year-old Frenchwoman.
In the men's ski mountaineering sprint, Germany's Finn Elias Hosch clinched the gold medal with a commanding performance of three minutes and 59.90 seconds. France's Pablo Giner secured the silver medal, while Germany's Felix Tobias Gramelsberger completed the podium with a bronze.
China's Yuzhenlamu advanced into the women's final and finished sixth, while her teammate Zhang Chenhao fell short of making it to the men's sprint final. ■
Margot Ravinel of France competes during the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Gold medalist Margot Ravinel (R) of France poses for photos with her compatriot athletes Louna Dupont (C) and Loanne Roussillon after the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Maria Ordonez Cobacho of Spain competes during the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Athelets compete during the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Margot Ravinel of France celebrates after the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Maria Ordonez Cobacho (L) of Spain and her compatriot Ares Torra celebrate after the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
Margot Ravinel of France competes during the Women's Sprint Final of Ski Mountaineering at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Sestriere, Italy, Jan. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
