French military ski-mountaineering teams have secured a historic double victory at the 2026 Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) race in the Swiss canton of Valais. The event, one of the world's most demanding team ski-mountaineering competitions, took place from April 16 to 18, 2026.
In the men's race, the French team composed of soldiers William Bon Mardion, Xavier Gachet, and Alexis Sevennec claimed first place. They completed the arduous Zermatt-Verbier course, which covers approximately 55 kilometers with over 4,000 meters of vertical ascent, in a time of 5 hours, 59 minutes, and 56 seconds.
The French women's team, featuring soldiers Célia Perillat-Pessey, Lorna Bonnel, and Emelie Forsberg, also achieved a commanding victory. Their win continues France's strong tradition in the event, which is organized by the Swiss Armed Forces and dates back to 1943.
The PDG is held biennially and challenges teams of three to traverse high-alpine terrain, combining skiing, mountaineering, and endurance. This year's edition saw participation from numerous international military and civilian teams, with France's performance standing out as the dominant result.
