Dolomiten Lauf

The Dolomitenlauf weekend is now over, what a great 3-days to tell: Dolomitensprint, FT race and Classical race in Lienz of big succes

The most attended event in Austria has finally come, and the Dolomitenlauf was celebrating this year the special occasion of 50 years history, from the 1970, the year where Robert Steiner decided to start it as a “Dolomiten Vasalauf”. Around 40 the participants to the first edition, but last weekend there were more than 1500 skiers from all over the world in the East-tyroleian town, but the cosy and familiar atmosphere has been maintained from the start.

The kick-off of the weekend was on the Lienz main square where, after the colorful opening ceremony with the fanfaire and the 20 flags representing the Worldloppet races, the 40th edition of the famous Dolomitensprint started, surrounded lots of spectators and a joyful atmosphere.

Many international athletes at the start, some of them with an Olympic background guaranteed a perfect start in the Dolomitenlauf weekend. In the men’s race, there was a home-victory for the actual best Austrian athlete Bernhard Tritscher, while in the ladies’ race it was the Italian Alice Canclini having her first triumph on the track.

Saturday, January 18th and the skating race in Obertilliach

A dream condition at the skating race in Obertilliach, with -5° C for the over 700 participants from 30 different Nations, with both start and finish line at the Biathlon Center.

The 42km race was dominated by the Russian athlete Raul Shakirzyanov and the Austrian Anna Seebacher in the women field. While Seebacher had a secure win, the Russian athlete had to fight to conquer the 1st place against the winner of the Supersprint Bernhard Tritscher, and Olympic athlete Eugeny Dementiev, that ended up 2nd and 3rd. On the short distance, another Austrian victory for Lisa Achleitner and in the men’s category Patrick Klettenhammer from Italy – South-Tyrol.

The high- speed classical race from Heinfels to the Lienz city center

Perfect weather conditions with sunshine is what awaited yesterday round 1000 athletes in a „High Speed“-Dolomitenlauf, with perfect tracks that have been prepared by over 400 volunteers in the days before.

Surprise victory by the Norwegian Vinjar Skogsholm, that defined it as the fastest race in its career with a speed of 26km/h, coming to victory after a bad fall of the Italian Sottozero Team members Mauro Brigadoi and Francesco Ferrari that were currently leading on 1st and 2nd place. Following on the podium the Finnish Matti Rasanen and the Czech Stanislav Rezac. On the ladies’ podium the German Melina Schöttes followed by Terhi Pollari and Hanna Nöhmeier.

All in all a woderful weekend, with satisfied and happy athletes, good weather and the best track conditions. See you all next weekend at Marcialonga!