19th February 2011. The 2011 edition of Pirena Advance concluded with a grand public celebration in La Molina. Hundreds of people gathered at the historic resort to experience the final stage of the route. A stage that turned into a display event and ended with symbolic podiums where the mushers and skijorers themselves chose their winners.
A recognition of the teammates who didn’t secure top positions during the race but earned the respect and affection of the other participants. Thus, yesterday’s skijoring podium featured José Manuel Varela (Ferventia), Erik Fuhrmann (Freemushing Ecoimpress), and young Víctor Carrasco (Tuga Active Wear), who was one of the most applauded. Mushers Bartek Giewont (Gaes/Golden Eagle), Manuel Pérez (Vitaldent), and the tandem formed by Cantabrian Jorge Ruiz and Madrilenian Agustín González (MRW Mascotas) also received special tribute from their peers. A unique team comprising González, a musher with a disability, and Ruiz, a highly experienced musher.
These awards were the prelude to the grand celebration for the winners of this 21st edition of Pirena. German Tom Andres (Gaes/Jsera) climbed to the top of the sled podium for the second consecutive time. A victory he particularly savoured, as his compatriot Ullrich Kuhn (Advance) made it very challenging for him. Navarrese Íker Ozcoidi completed the prestigious podium, being the top Spaniard ahead of Catalan Kiko Vallespí (Acana/Terres de l’Ebre). Also highly applauded were the top three in the Nordic dogs category. A final victory for Swiss Sibylle Marthy, ahead of Lázaro Martínez (Lazaro’s Team/Prullans.net) and Cantabrian Jesús Martínez.
An entirely female podium in the skijoring category. Radiant, Czech Jana Porubska (Gaes) received her winner’s trophy—her sling-bound arm didn’t stop her from celebrating her third Pirena victory with cava. Though with the help of Dakar winner Marc Coma, who was one of the guests at this celebration. Porubska shared the podium with Swiss Pia Rutishauser and German Karin Gruber-Pestel (Happy Dog).
The closing party of this Pirena Advance edition was massive and full of emotions. Dakar riders Marc Coma and Joan Pedrero experienced it live, as did the new Secretary General of Sports of the Generalitat, Iván Tubau. Like all attendees, they enjoyed the numerous activities organised throughout the morning, such as a batucada or an agility display that delighted everyone present.
