News

Poland’s multi-time Olympic and World Championship medallist, Justyna Kowalczyk, beat all the skiers, male or female, in the 29th edition of Argentina’s Marchablanca on Sunday August 16th, 2015. Second place overall and first place for men went to Argentina’s Carlos Lannes at 5 seconds back.

The traditional competition took place this year in classic technique and consisted of one 21km clockwise loop of the Marchablanca/Provincial Cross Country Ski course in the Valley of Tierra Mayor outside of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

Kowalczyk commented, “today it required 21km of fighting wind and rain to get to the finish of this beautiful race.” Such conditions are not unheard of in the Southern Patagonian region and they often turn ski racing into something resembling a springtime bike race in echelons and packs having to negotiate swirling winds.

Race CEO Pablo Valcheff concurred, “conditions were tough and starting 48 hours before the race we went to work in order to maintain the best course and stadium quality possible.”

Over 450 skiers from 10 countries participated in this year’s Marchablanca, which is organized by the Club Andino Ushuaia. It is also the accompanying race to Argentina’s Worldloppet member, the Ushuaia Loppet, which took place eight days earlier.

Podium 21 KM, Classic

Men

1st place Carlos Lannes 1:17.15

2nd place Martín Banchi 1:17.36

3rd place Federico Cichero 1:17.44

Women

1st place Justyna Kowalczyk 1:17.10

2nd place María Giro 1:55.36

3rd place Clarisa Panosetti 2:04.29