This week's Global Podium for the best sportspeople in the world features Nepalese climbers, Stéphane Peterhansel /&Edouard Boulanger, and Francesco Friedrich & Alexandre Schüller.
 Gold: Team Nimsdai, Team Mingma G, Sona Sherpa (Nepal, Mountaineering) A group of ten Nepalese conquered one of the greatest tests in nature than humankind had not conquered: the ascension of the K2 during winter. This was the only “eight thousand” that had not been fully ascended during winter. Nimsdai Purja ascended without oxygen, marking another first. List of climbers: Nimsdai Purja, Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Pem Chiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Mingma G, Dawa Tenjin Sherpa, Kilu Pemba Sherpa, Sona SherpaWatch some seconds of footage from their attempt |
 Silver: Stéphane Peterhansel / Edouard Boulanger (France, Auto Racing) “Monsieur Dakar”, Stéphane Peterhansel, won his 14th Dakar Rally -eighth in car, a record-, by far more than anyone else. He also won his 81st stage, more than anyone else across all categories and 48th in car, second of all-time. Boulanger won for the first time. It was also a great Dakar for the South Americans, with Kevin Benavides (ARG) taking motos, Francisco “Chaleco” López and Juan Pablo Latrach Vinagre (CHL) won in Lightweight vehicles, and Manuel Andújar (ARG) won in Quads. Marc Douton and Emilien Etienne (FRA) won the Dakar Classic and the Kamaz team led by Dmitry Sotnikov (RUS) won in Trucks. Watch a video with highlights of the Rally (Dakar Rally) |
 Bronze: Francesco Friedrich / Alexandre Schüller (Germany, Bobsleigh) Francesco Friedrich won the two-man Bobsled World Cup in St. Moritz with a track and start record. He did the same in the four-man competition one day later, and kept on extending his record as the winningest bobsledder of all time in World Cups. He has also won seven competitions in a row. Alexander Schüller won with him both times and now has 7 wins in the season. Watch the IBSF Highlights magazine for St. Motitz |
