News

Simen Oestensen (NOR):

I am very happy and satisfied! I have already been close several times here, but I never made it. But today was my day, I went for it, I pushed hard and I got it. It was a very tough race, especially with the new snow in the first part of the race. We stayed a very large group until very late in the race and I always tried to be in the front group to be out of any trouble. It worked out fine and when I saw that I still had good power left and a good glide, I just went for it and pushed and pushed and the gap between me and the followers grew. But you never have to underestimate the last climb, so I pushed on – and finished first! It was really my big goal this season and I am very happy to have achieved it!

John Kristian Dahl (NOR):

It’s a great feeling to be on the podium in Marcialonga. I had very good skis and I tried to race smart. I always tried to be in the main group, close to the front. In case I would break a pole, I would still be able to catch up with the group which is essential. Racing alonge does not work. I knew that the race really starts from Lago di Tesero on. I had a good position and I could keep it into the last uphill. I knew that Joergen is very strong in this uphill, so I pushed and pushed. It was so close in the end and I am relly happy that it worked out with this second place.

Joergen Aukland (NOR):

I am satisfied with this third place. Sure the preparation with my shoulder injury wasn’t perfect, but luckily it didn’t disturb me at all during the race. It was a tough one with all this new snow in the track, especially after Canazei – nobody could get away so we were still abig group when we came to back to Moena. Late in the race, Simen got a gap and I tried to stay with the followers. John Kristian was very strong in the uphill and I am really happy that I managed to stay with him and to put my foot over the line as third! It was very close in the end!

Julia Tikhonova (RUS):

I am so happy! It’s an incredible thing to win Marcialonga! I haven’t expected that! I knew that the race would be decided at the last uphill. I especially prepared for that and I am really satisfied and happy that this special preparation worked out! I hope to race many more races this winter and of course to be on the podium again!

Seraina Boner (SUI):

Surely it would have been great to win again, but honestly I am really satisfied with my second place. I was in bed, dinking tea the last two days and didn’t feel very well. This morning it was better and I tought to give it a go. Julia pushed really hard and when she had a gap after about the half of the race, I couldn’t close it again. So I kept going, pushing hard nevertheless as I knew that the others were coming, too. It’s good that there are more girls now racing in the long distance competitions, but there is still place for more! I hope that others will follow even if that means that it will be harder to win. Next stop will be the Olympics for me – I am so excited that worked out for me in the end. The Games just fit perfectly in my calendar so I do not have to change much.

Annika Löfström (SWE):

That’s so amazing! I never ever imagined that I could make it to the podium today!!! I am still speachless! I had a really good race. It was slow at the start with the new snow which made it also a very tough race, especially at the start where everbody pushed really hard and then suddenly the track gets pretty narrow. However, I really enjoyed it and am more than satisfied with my third place!