MARCIALONGA: A DREAM FOR CHAMPIONS AND AMATEURS

Slowly arranging the 70 km of snow from Moena to Cavalese
The beloved race by cross-country skiing champions, with excellent “returns”
29th and 30th January: there is something for everybody with Light, Story, Baby, Mini, Young and Stars
Some bibs still available, registrations closing soon

There is a permanent equation testing Marcialonga’s organising committee: low temperatures, snow production.
Truth is, the thermometer is rising above and falling below zero lately, yet it is time to dust the 26 snow-cannons out of the warehouse. The men of the epic cross-country skiing marathon, scheduled for 29th and 30th January have a precise task. Producing some snow is now an imperative, in order to start creating Marcialonga’s track, which, it is well known, does not only represent the competitive trail for this internationally beloved race taking place in Trentino (Italy). In addition, amateurs who wants to train and tourists too, particularly appreciate this track linking Val di Fiemme to Val di Fassa, all winter season long. The creation of the 70 km covered with snow is a result of a common desire and work of all the villages from both the Dolomite valleys.
Even though foreign athletes always represent a great number, some nations are pulling the break due to difficulties encountered travelling from non-Europe countries because of Covid’s restrictions. This means some bibs are still available in order to reach the maximum number of 7500 participants the organising committee established.
Since the birth of Visma Ski Classics circuit, Marcialonga is part of it as an important pillar. For this year too, the ‘challenge’ announces big names of cross-country skiing champions, even some ‘ex-champions’, coming back to Marcialonga reaching for glory. One of them is the great Marit Björgen, who won Tour de Ski, World Championships and World Cups in Val di Fiemme and would like to add to her victories this prestigious marathon, particularly worshipped in Norway. Not only, there might be (with the conditional tense underlined since the ‘eclectic’ character) the international cross-country skiing icon Petter Northug.
Among participants, two ex-athletes’ names stand out: the husband and wife Andrew Paul and Sandra Paintin-Paul will be on the starting line with the bibs 1462 and 1463. Both from Australia, they have been the first to represent their country at the Olympic Games in the discipline of biathlon. He took part in the winter Games of Sarajevo 1984 and Calgary 1988, while she, sharing her record with the compatriot Kerryn Rim, took part in the Olympic Games of Albertville 1992 and Lillehammer 1994. Indeed, Marcialonga is always magnetic for champions.
Strong nerves are necessary to ski the 70 km separating the starting line in Moena and the finish line in Cavalese, running along Fiemme and Fassa valleys with a 1000 meters difference in height. “When you start, everything fades”, said Mauro Brigadoi. The winner among women, the Swedish Lina Korsgren, agrees: “Marcialonga’s atmosphere is unique”.
Beyond the 70 km-race, a Light version is possible: up from Moena to Canazei, then down to Predazzo for 45 km. The special and wonderful sights of the valleys with the enthusiast audience cheering along the track support more than seven thousands athletes during their “long march” on the snow until the finishing line. Next to the two main competitions, there are some collateral events such as Marcialonga Baby for those making their first steps in skiing, Mini Marcialonga and Marcialonga Young for older children.
Sport is not just competition or fun. It also represents dedication and memory: on one hand, Marcialonga Stars combines sport and charity, featuring LILT (an Italian public non-profit corporation with the central aim of spreading prevention culture against cancer). On the other, Marcialonga Story brings back to mind the memories of the first champions, as Ulrico Kostner or Tonino Biondini, thanks to the athletes wearing vintage clothes and using antique equipment.
The 49th edition of Marcialonga is on 29th and 30th January 2022. Registrations online on the official website.

© Newspower