TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie)

A race in open country along the ‘Grande Randonnée’ paths crossing though the Mont-Blanc, Beaufort, Tarentaise and Aosta valley countryside.
A mountainous event, including numerous sections at altitude (>2,500m), in weather conditions which can be very difficult (night, wind, cold, rain or snow), requiring a very good level of fitness, the appropriate equipment and a real capacity for personal autonomy. 

The two Savoie and the Aosta valleys are some of the provinces that once made up the Savoie State. Line up to discover these 3 regions which are united around Mont-Blanc, and borrow the paths where history and the mountains meet.

To begin with you will experience a very special atmosphere at the start of the race from the centre of Courmayeur, Thursday August 30th at 7:00am. Passing by "Maison Vieille" to col Checrouit (1st refreshment post), you will go up for awhile along the path of the UTMB® before turning off for a steep ascent which will take you to the col de la Youlaz (2661m), then the descent of the valley of Youlaz as far as  la Thuile (refreshments). A second climb of 700m will take you to the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (2188m, refreshments). You then leave the Aosta valley and start your trip in the Haute Tarentaise with a long descent along the roman road. Then taking advantage of the party being held to greet you when you go through Séez and then Bourg Saint-Maurice (refreshments), you undertake an ascent of more than 1700 m, via le Fort de la Platte and the Col de la Forclaz, up to the Passeur de Pralognan (2567m). A descent, very steep at the beginning, less severe there after, will lead you to join the volunteers of Beaufort at the Cormet de Roselend (refreshments). It will then be necessary to climb to the Col de la Sauce, taking the astonishing passage du Curé to the hamlet of la Gitte then going on up towards the Col de Gitte to the height of 2322m where you will find an extraordinary panorama of the  chains of Mont-Blanc, the Aiguilles Rouges, the Fiz and the Aravis... before crossing, by a little known path, the "Grande Pierrière" to the  Col du Joly where you can test the welcome from the Hauteluce team (refreshments). This wild walk along the most beautiful paths of the Tarentaise,  Beaufortain and Mont-Blanc country continues by going down to Les Contamines (refreshments), before once again going up to reach the  col du Tricot passing by the chalet du Truc. You cross the nose of the Bionnassay glacier by footbridge and continue to go up to Bellevue before plunging down to les Houches (refreshments). All that rests is the path to Chamonix for a triumphant and well deserved finish!

Distance : around 112km
Positive height gain : around 7,150m
Time limit : 31 hours 

Refreshments : the principal of the event is to be semi-self-sufficient. Seven posts will be supplied with drinks and/or food to be consumed in situ. 

Main difficulties : Col de la Youlaz (2,661m), Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (2,188m), Passeur de Pralognan (2,567m), Col de la Gitte (2,322m), Col du Tricot  (2,120m)

The start will take place at the centre of Courmayeur, on the Brocherel Place, Thursday 30th August 2012 at 7am.
This race will be limited to 1,400 competitors.

Registration for the TDS^TM is reserved strictly for competitors who already have experience, and can prove it. It is necessary to have acquired at least 2 points by finishing in 2010 or 2011, one or two, of the trails which figure in the list published here.