ChiroSport

Florence Darbellay

Our member bought her first mountain bike in 2010 when 33 years old. In the same year she took third place in the half-distance mountain bike race Grand Raid Verbier-Grimentz from Hérémence and then wins the race in the next two years.

In the following years she tackled the 125 km full distance of the Grand Raid with three consecutive podium finishes. In 2017 her efforts and perseverence were rewarded by winning the race.

The Grand Raid is the summer counterpart of the renowned Patrouille des Glaciers. One is on mountain bike the other on ski, both take 12 hours or more for the average trained athlete. But physically the Grand Raid is more demanding, it requires more leg power to tackle the 5'000 meters up-hill climbing. To finish the race is already a performance, but to win it is another thing but Florence did it.  

For her achievements the SCSC honored her with the SCSC Sports Merit Award.
The award was presented by committee member Chris Wegelin.