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The 51st edition of the Lausanne meeting will take place on a brand new track. Featuring a higher quality, faster surface, it was also becoming essential from a safety perspective. Top class performances are expected on August 21.
The athletes’ spikes will soon dig into Pontaise’s new Conipur Vmax surface, one of the very best tracks available today. “It is our flagship product and one of the fastest tracks in the world,” says Oliver Vogt, Sales Manager for French speaking Switzerland at the Swiss company Conica. “The track has been designed within the specifications set by World Athletics, and several prestigious meetings have already adopted it.”
Installing the new surface became necessary this spring, as the previous track was no longer certified due to insufficient thickness. The City of Lausanne decided to carry out the work while awaiting the construction of the new Coubertin Stadium in Vidy, expected by 2030.
Work began at the end of April, but installation was slowed by challenging weather conditions, particularly low temperatures and persistent rain. The track requires temperatures of at least ten degrees Celsius to dry and harden properly. “The track has a slope of around one degree to allow water to drain away,” Oliver Vogt explains.
The new Pontaise track, which will benefit local athletes, rising talents and Athletissima’s international stars from August 21 onwards, features two layers with a combined thickness of around 14 millimetres. “The upper layer has a rigid viscoplastic surface that ensures the athlete’s energy is transferred efficiently,” explains the Conica specialist. “Beneath it is a more elastic base layer, whose role is to stabilise the force.”
This lower layer absorbs very little energy, instead returning it directly to the athlete through compression. “The result is a fast and precise forward motion, reducing energy loss at the start and throughout the sprint, ultimately helping athletes maximise their performance all the way to the finish,” adds Oliver Vogt. Based on studies carried out with the University of Cologne, Conica estimates that sprinters’ speed can be increased by up to 10% thanks to the Conipur Vmax.
Beyond its speed, the new Pontaise track also offers greater safety. According to the Swiss manufacturer, the excellent stability of the Conipur Vmax limits surface deformation, while its 38% shock absorption significantly reduces the risk of injury. The Conipur Vmax has already witnessed several world records, including Jessica Hull’s 2,000m world record of 5:19.70 in 2024 and Faith Kipyegon’s mile world record of 4:07.64 in 2023, both set in Monaco. Athletissima and its new track are now ready for new achievements.