Episode 39 - Trofeo Kima 2024 with Jack Kuenzle and Finlay Wild

Go Mountain Goats

Trofeo Kima is a unique technical race in the beautiful Val Masino region of Italy, in the rough granite mountains not far from Lake Como.

While I don't usually devote episodes to organised races, I think Kima justifies an exception, especially this year's race - in which I had a fantastic racing experience with none other than Jack Kuenzle. Jack is now a recurring character on the podcast, having shown up in Episode 21 to beat my Tranter's Round record, and again in Episode 38 when I got it back!

Join Jack and I as we delve into a race analysis of our head to head 'duel' at the front of the race. We both managed to come in under the previous Kilian Jornet record time of 6hr9mins, with myself winning in 6hr5mins. Beating Kilian's record was a first for me, although not for Jack who has already achieved this with his Bob Graham Round record in 2022.

The race is dedicated to the memory of Pierangelo Marchetti, nickname "Kima", who was a local mountain guide who died in 1994 during a rescue mission. His sister started the race in 1995 in tribute to him.

For a visual on the terrain we are covering, see the great video by Julen Elorza featuring Hillary Gerardi (also featured in my Episode 18), La Gara: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CivvJNiHNnw

Also the 2022 race highlights where you see a bit more of me, and my first win at Kima: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyzvgiOGHJg&t=584s