Paris
French climbing sensation Benjamin Vedraine has set a new record for the quickest ascent and descent of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe. This achievement surpasses a record that had stood for over ten years, according to his team.
On Saturday, Vedraine reached the peak at 4,809 meters (15,777 feet) from Chamonix, returning to the resort three minutes quicker than the previous record held by Spanish ultra-runner Killian Jornet since 2013.
Setting off just before 9 a.m., the 32-year-old Vedraine is known for his quick alpine-style climbs, completing the entire round trip in 4 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds, starting from a church in Chamonix, located at 1,043 meters (3,422 feet) to the summit of Mont Blanc.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” the climber stated in a message sent to AFP. “This record fascinated me, but I really didn’t think I could achieve it. I lacked the confidence to even try.”
Jornet, who previously held the record, is also known for his speed on K2 in Pakistan and for blending trail running with skiing. He acknowledged Vedraine’s feat, exclaiming, “Bravo, what a show. Artist!” while currently preparing for a prestigious race in the U.S. West in June, as he shared on social media.
