MARCIALONGA, COUNTDOWN FINISHED!

Today opening ceremony in Vigo di Fassa (Trentino region, Italy), tomorrow the first events
On Sunday exciting race of 57 km from Mazzin to Cavalese, with Scandinavians as the favourite for the victory
Tomorrow the charity event Marcialonga Stars with VIPS competing for LILT
Rai Sport coverage with a “marathon” from 8.00 to 10.05 a.m. and from 2.20 to 4.00 p.m.


The last three days of January are generally the coldest days of the year but this will probably go unnoticed next Sunday in the valleys of Fiemme and Fassa, because Marcialonga is certainly going to warm up the atmosphere with a whole series of events. There are just a couple of days to go to the 44th XC skiing marathon held on the snow of the Trentino region, on a beautiful track perfectly prepared thanks to low temperatures, despite the general lack of snow.
It is certainly cold; this morning in Mazzin at 8.55 a.m. (when the race will start with ladies on Sunday) there were -15.5°C. The temperature then increased and the valleys were incredibly beautiful in the sunlight. The temperature was just above 0°C at 11.00 a.m. in Cavalese, exactly the time when Marcialonga’s ambassador “Soreghina” (Camilla Canclini) will crown the winners onSunday.
The race office was crowded today with the students of the local high school who handed out the bibs, in particular to foreign competitors. It was a moment of intercultural exchange with competitors coming from 37 nations of all continents that turn Marcialonga into a truly international event. There are top skiers of Visma Ski Classics and FIS Worldloppet Cup thinking about the overall standing, but also thousands of amateur skiers that have the goal of reaching the finish line. This year, the race track has been shortened to 57 km because of the lack of snow but, unlike other events that have been cancelled, the organizing committee has been able to prepare the track at best thanks to the support of many volunteers. Low temperature will then contribute to maintain the track in perfect conditions till the end.
Yesterday in Predazzo, chairman Angelo Corradini gathered all the people in charge of the organisation, who confirmed that everything is ready for the race. About 1,200 volunteers have worked hard these days to define the last details, coordinated by general director Gloria Trettel.
Marcialonga will begin tonight with the opening ceremony in Vigo di Fassa.
Tomorrow about 250 competitors will take part in the Marcialonga Story, starting at 9.30 a.m. in Lago di Tesero: an exciting non competitive revival that cannot be missed.
Over 500 young skiers will then participate in the Minimarcialonga (entries open until tomorrow at 12.00) scheduled at 2.00 p.m. immediately after Marcialonga Stars, a fund-raising event for LILT (Italian cancer organization), chaired by Mario Cristofolini, one of the four Marcialonga’s founders that will see the participation of several famous sportsmen of the past and many other VIPs. At 2.30 p.m. it will the turn of Marcialonga Young, whereas other junior categories will compete on the following day.
On Sunday the main event with Marcialonga Skiing: elite ladies will start at 8.55 a.m. followed by men at 9.00 with number one favourite Tord Asle Gjerdalen trying to obtain his third consecutive victory. To reach his goal he will have to battle with many top skiers who formerly competed in the World Cup circuit and will need the help of his teammates. The track is actually less demanding than usual and there are only a few segments where the best skiers may make the difference, from Mazzin to Canazei. Competitors will then go down from Canazei to the last part of the race which is generally decisive for the victory, when top skiers climb the hill with no wax, counting just on their residual strength. Amateur skiers will instead need wax under the skis and the support of the cheering crowd to reach the finish line.
The race will be broadcast live by RAI Sport from 8.00 to 10.05 a.m. and from 2.20 to 4.00 p.m.
According to weather forecasts it will be sunny but cold.