Marcialonga

All set to start a new Marcialonga! From today until Sunday, Italy’s most popular ski-marathon and one of the most famous ones in the world will get on track in Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa at the foot of stunning Dolomites in the North-Eastern part of the country. The main race over 70 km from Moena to Cavalese, the “Long March”, is taking place for the 43rd time and counts as the 3rd stage of the FIS Worldloppet Cup and its first stage in classic techinque. On Sunday, the 31st January, 8.000 skiers are going to participate, among them the best long distance skiers of the world. 

Among the number one favourites, there are several Marcialonga past winners such as Tord Asle Gjerdalen, the Aukland-brothers Joergen and Anders, Jerry Ahrlin and Oskar Svärd, but also Jizerska50-winner Petter Eliassen, and the homeboys Bruno Debertolis, Sergio Bonaldi, Loris Frasnelli and Nicola Morandini.  Also the leader of the FIS Worldloppet Cup, Bastien Poirrier and his team mates like Benoit Chauvet, Adrien Mougel and Toni Livers count as favourites and will fight for points for the official FIS cup in long distance skiing. The Worldcup-athlete, Olympic- and Worldchampion from Switzerland, Dario Cologna signed up for the Marcialonga as well, but his start is not sure yet because of his injury of the Tour de Ski early this January. On the women’s side, the Polish champion Justyna Kowalczyk would be better watch out for opponents such as Norgren, Smutna, Boner, Ishida and Shevchenko. Aurelie Dabudyk, the current leader in the FIS Worldloppet Cup will try to defend her position against her opponents. 

Find the whole elite startlist here: men and women

The very first act will see the youngest skiers (up to 6 years) enjoy themselves in Predazzo town centre during the first ever Marcialonga Baby, today afternoon from 4pm. The town of Cavalese (Verdi Square) will warmly welcome all the guests and locals from 5pm with live music, food and wine tastings and a DJ set, ahead of the official opening ceremony at 6pm in Ziano di Fiemme, a few kilometers away from Cavalese.Flipping through the 2016 Marcialonga programme, four events will take place on Saturday, the vintage Marcialonga Story event (9.30am), the Marcialonga Stars for charity (1pm), the Minimarcialonga for kids (2pm) and the Marcialonga Young for young categories (2.30pm). The latter will continue on Sunday morning as well (8.45am), while from 7.50am onwards, around 8.000 XC skiing lovers and champions from all over the world will jump on the snow for the 43rd Marcialonga along a 70k-long track (plus the 45k-long one, called ‘Light version’) perfectly set.