Even though the winter has already arrived in many areas of Europe and the FIS Cross Country World Cup has kicked off with its first two competition weekends in Gällivare (SWE) and Kuusamo (FIN), the athletes of the FIS Marathon Cup still have a few more days to prepare before their season finally gets under way with the traditional opener La Sgambeda (42km FT) in Livigno (ITA) on December 16.
While Livigno was struggling with a lack of snow last year, there is no shortage of the white gold this year. Victim of last year’s lack of snow in mid-December, it does not seem to be the problem this year. Being well covered in several layers of white, everything will be ready for the race to take place on December 16. The race course is a 21km loop that is skied twice.
Most of the best long distance skiers will be present at La Sgambeda to get back into long distance racing. Both the reigning champions of the 2012 overall FIS Marathon Cup Madshus racer Stanislav Rezac (CZE) and Stephanie Santer (ITA) are entered for the opening race. Surely both will again be THE ones to beat this season in order to win the overall FIS Marathon Cup title at the end of the winter.
The big stars of the classic technique will join the party in January when the FIS Marathon Cup continues with Jizerská Padesatka (CZE, 50km CT) on January 13. Then, Madshus racers Jerry Ahrlin (SWE), Thomas Alsgaard (NOR), Jörgen Brink (SWE) Laila Kveli (NOR) and Susanne Nyström (SWE) will get down to business and dominate the classic races.
The 2012-13 FIS Marathon Cup Calendar:
16.12.2012 FT La Sgambeda 42 km ITA
13.01.2013 CT Jizerska Padesatka 50 km CZE
20.01.2013 FT Dolomitenlauf 60 km AUT
27.01.2013 CT Marcialonga 70 km ITA
03.02.2013 FT Koenig Ludwig Lauf 50 km GER
10.02.2013 FT La Transjurassienne 54/76 km FRA
17.02.2013 CT Tartu Maraton 63 km EST
23.02.2011 FT American Birkebeiner 50 km USA
10.03.2013 FT Engadin Skimarathon 42 km SUI
Other Worldloppet races:
03.02.2013 FT Sapporo International Ski Marathon 50km JPN
17.02.2013 FT Gatineau Loppet 51km CAN
23.02.2013 CT Finlandia Hiihto 50km FIN
02.03.2013 CT Bieg Piastow 50km POL
03.03.2013 CT Vasaloppet 90km SWE
16.03.2013 CT Birkebeinerrennet 54km NOR
16.03.2013 FT Demino Ski Marathon 50km RUS