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They just landed in Seattle, they’ve barely had time to shake out their legs, and they’re already thinking about one thing: how a U.S. sky race will feel compared to the European skyrunning circuit. We sit down with Daniel Daniel Antonioli & Beñat Albisu for a quick, high-energy pre-race conversation as they get ready to race near Big Creek in the Olympic Mountains for the first time on American soil. 

We talk travel realities and first impressions of the Pacific Northwest, plus where they’re hoping to sneak in a little exploring with only a week in town. Then we get into racing: what it’s like to line up against a strong international field, and why an out-and-back skyrace course can create a different kind of pressure and excitement when you’re literally watching competitors coming toward you on the climb. Daniel shares why he loves the simple rhythm of one big ascent and one committed descent, and Banat reflects on what it means to race abroad as a 20-year-old following the U23 skyrunning circuit. 

We also zoom out to season planning, including how athletes choose between major mountain running events when schedules collide, and why ultra-technical courses like Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme can shape training priorities. If you’re into trail running, skyrunning, mountain racing tactics, and the culture that makes these races special from Italy to the Basque Country, you’ll leave with fresh motivation and a clearer sense of how pros think before the gun goes off. 

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