With the celebration of the ISF  Skyrunning World Championship 2026, in La Gomera as part of the XV Gomera Paradise, we officially begin the countdown to the SkyMasters.

Yes, one of many world championships in mountain running. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the current landscape. While we all understand that we are talking about the same sport, the truth is that different disciplines and all the federations continue to divide athletes among federations and circuits.

What we do know for certain is that Dements is pure skyrunning. We are mountain people and, therefore, our place is alongside FEDME, FEMECV and the ISF. This is the clear and firm choice made by the Club de Muntanya Dements.

We are talking about the Skyrunning World Championship 2026 because many of the skyrunners who competed in the previous two SkyMasters, or who will compete on November 7 at the Marató dels Dements, are or have been members of their respective national teams at these championships.

In addition, through agreements between the ISF and the MSWS, both the world champions and the continental champions in the Sky discipline earn qualification for the SkyMasters. Top 3 of the Sky and Sky Ultra races qualify for the SkyMasters, gaining access to the prize money of the final, although not to the circuit prize purse unless they are also competing in the series itself, which is usually the case.

The Skyrunning World Championships are held every two years, alternating with the continental championships.

There are three disciplines:

• Vertical
• Sky Ultra
• Sky

Vertical

In the unique and magical setting of La Gomera, the Vertical race took place on Friday, September 18, covering 4.95 km with 952 m of positive elevation gain. It came as no surprise that a 21-year-old athlete with an extraordinary record in vertical racing, including world titles in every youth category, claimed the overall victory.

Catalan runner Lluís Puigvert left no room for his rivals, winning ahead of José Antonio Bellido (ESP) and Luca del Pero (ITA). Marcos Villamuera (ESP) finished fourth, highlighting the Spanish team’s dominance in this discipline.

@skyrunningfederation

@skyrunningfederation

In the women’s race, Switzerland’s Paola Stampanoni claimed victory, followed by Everarda Van Dongen (NED) and Benedetta Broggi (ITA). Naira Irigoyen (ESP), the reigning world champion from the 2024 World Championships at Desafío Unión, finished fourth. Notably, Paola was runner-up and Benedetta third in 2024, meaning the podium was almost identical two years later.

Ultra Sky

Saturday featured the Sky Ultra race, covering 62.3 km with 3,775 m of ascent and descent, where the pre-race favourites lived up to expectations.

Italy’s Cristian Minoggio, recent winner of the CCC and world champion in both 2022 and 2024, ran conservatively until roughly halfway through the race before taking control. He finished seven minutes ahead of Spain’s Julen Calvó, while Andorra’s Samuel Ponce completed the podium.

@skyrunningfederation

Norway’s Shangave Balendran, the reigning European champion, delivered a flawless race from start to finish. Her 30-minute winning margin over Spain’s Mireia Pons speaks for itself. Careth Arnold (USA) secured third place.

@skyrunnigfederation

@skyrunning federation

Sky

The championships concluded on Sunday with the Sky race, featuring 30 km and +2,600 m. It was undoubtedly the most competitive and open race, with an exceptionally strong field in both men’s and women’s categories.

The men’s race had two distinct phases. Until kilometre 20, a leading group featuring Fabián Venero (ESP), Luca del Pero (ITA), Dominik Tabor (POL), Gianluca Ghiano (ITA), Jorge Luis Castro Huaman (PER), Jaime Romo (ESP) and Dimas Pereira (ESP) continually exchanged positions. After the kilometre-22 checkpoint, Luca del Pero showed why he is the reigning MSWS champion, moving into the lead and opening a small gap over the rest of the contenders.

At the finish, Del Pero claimed the world title, while Dimas Pereira secured a hard-fought silver medal. Behind them, Fabián Venero and Dominik Tabor delivered one of the defining moments of the championships, sprinting through the streets of San Sebastián de La Gomera, with the Polish runner prevailing to take the bronze medal.

Athletes who may qualify for the SkyMasters and who also competed in La Gomera include Jaime Romo (ESP), P7; Lucas Mouret (FRA), P9; Morgan Elliott (USA), P12; and Louis Dumas (FRA), P18. All are likely to secure qualification during the remaining three MSWS races.

@skyrunningfederation

The women’s Sky race had a clear protagonist: Poland’s Patrycja Stanek. She led almost from start to finish to claim the world title. Norway’s Eva Simonsen, who took silver, was able to stay relatively close during the opening 5 km but remained about two minutes back. Behind them, positions changed several times between Carys May Hughes (GBR) and Cecilia Basso (ITA), with the Italian athlete ultimately securing the bronze medal.

Athletes currently competing in the 2026 MSWS, such as Claudia Corral (ESP), P7; current series leader Amanda Nilsson (SWE), P10; Roberta Jacquin (ITA), P11; Svetlana Nurmukhametova, P12; and Karina Andersen (USA), P15, may also line up in Eslida and Aín on November 7.

As this was a World Championship event, a national team ranking was also contested. Spain claimed the gold medal with 918 points, Italy took silver with 896 points, and Japan secured bronze with 594 points.

@skyrunningfederation

@skyrunningfederation