February 19, 2011. With a great popular festival in La Molina The 2011 edition of Pirena Advance has closed. Hundreds of people came to the oldest station to experience the last stage of the route. A stage that ended up being an exhibition stage and which concluded with some symbolic podiums where the mushers and skijorers themselves chose their winners.
A recognition to the colleagues who have not occupied the first positions during the race but who have earned the respect and affection of the other participants. Thus, yesterday José Manuel Varela (Ferventia), Erik Fuhrmann (Freemushing Ecoimpress) and the young Víctor Carrasco (Tuga Active Wear), who was one of the most applauded, were seen on the skijoring podium. The mushers Bartek Giewont (Gaes/Golden Eagle), Manuel Pérez (Vitaldent) and the tandem formed by the Cantabrian Jorge Ruiz and the Madrid-born Agustín González (MRW Mascotas) also received a particular tribute from their companions. A special team made up of González, a disabled musher, and Ruiz, a musher with extensive experience.
These awards were the preamble to the great party 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 that he especially savored since his compatriot Ullrich Kuhn (Advance) made things very difficult for him. The great podium of honor was completed by the Navarrese Íker Ozcoidi, who was the best Spaniard ahead of the Catalan Kiko Vallespí (Acana/Terres de l'Ebre). The three first classified in the category of Nordic dogs were also highly applauded. Final victory for the Swiss Sibylle Marthy, ahead of Lázaro Martínez (Lazaro’s Team/Prullans.net) and the Cantabrian Jesús Martínez.
Final podium entirely female in the skijoring category. Radiantly receiving her winner's trophy was the Czech Jana Porubska (Gaes), whose arm in a sling did not prevent her from celebrating her third victory in the Pirena with cava. Of course, with the help of the Dakar winner, Marc Coma, who was one of the guests at this party. Porubska shared the podium with the Swiss Pia Rutishauser and the German Karin Gruber-Pestel (Happy Dog).
The closing party of this edition of Pirena Advance was massive and full of emotions. The The Dakar drivers Marc Coma and Joan Pedrero were there live, as well as the new general secretary of sport of the Generalitat, Iván Tubau. Like all attendees, they were able to enjoy the numerous activities that were organized throughout the morning, such as a batucada or an agility exhibition that delighted all attendees.
