Suunto Watch Ambassador Named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

Mountain athlete and Suunto ambassador Kilian Jornet has been named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

Kilian Jornet is a trail runner and ski mountaineer, and is described by Suunto as "one of the world's most remarkable and versatile mountain athletes".

He was shortlisted by National Geographic magazine for its prestigious Adventurer of the Year award among a number of other explorers, climbers and adventure athletes, including long distance swimmer Diana Nyad, explorer Sarah Marquis and climber Adam Ondra.

The award was decided by a public vote, with Jornet taking the prize in recognition of his "contribution to mountain sports, for his speed ascents of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and his humble mountain-loving philosophy". A record 75,000 people voted in total.

"The most exciting thing is that this prize comes from the people, so I want to thank everyone who has voted for me and everyone who has supported me since I started on this." Jornet said. "To feel that what I do can inspire someone, that it makes them go out in a quest for their dreams, that's what really matters. It's a great honour. I don't run or make these records for the recognition, but it is nice to receive a prize where the people have voted for me."

Jornet wears a Suunto Ambit2 and shares his training and performance statistics on the Suunto 'Movescount' network.

The Ambit2 has a robust design with glass fibre reinforced casing and a long battery life. Features include GPS, route navigation and storm alarm, and many more functions can be added to the watch from thousands of free Suunto apps.