La Diagonela had a brutal entry to the race schedule: The organizers were given less than a week to establish a full-fledged professional event with international broadcasting facilities and a dozen professional marathon teams. The organizers delivered on all levels, and are awarded with official Swix Ski Classics status for the 2015 season.
La Diagonela wasn’t supposed to enter the race schedule until January 2015. But when it was clear that Jizerska Padesatka (CZE) had to cancel due to lack of snow, the Swiss race crew was able to organize a 52-kilometer replacement race at the drop of a hat, including an amateur event.
La Diagonela is a long distance event close to St Moritz, Engadin Valley in southeastern Switzerland. La Diagonela 2015 is scheduled for Saturday January the 17th and is a 65-kilometer classics race. The race is open for Pro Teams as well as amateur skiers, like all Swix Ski Classics events. La Diagonela is just one race on the Swix Ski Classics 2015 calendar. The complete Swix Ski Classics 2015 calendar will be launched on August 26.
“Swix Ski Classics present La Diagonela as a permanent member of the tour. It is important for us to strengthen our presence in central Europe, and Switzerland is one of the main cross-country nations in Europe,” says David Nilsson, CEO of Swix Ski Classics.
“The event organizers have a lot of experience from organizing cross-country skiing events at the highest level, and the area surrounding St Moritz is one of Europe’s most picturesque. I am sure La Diagonela with its beautiful course through small villages surrounded by amazing mountains will be a very popular race for amateur skiers” Nilsson says.
“The race and the valley has a lot in common with the prestigious Italian Swix Ski Classics race Marcialonga, which is held the following weekend after,” he adds.
The La Diagonela race organizers are thrilled to be a part of the prestigious long-distance series.
“We are happy and proud to be part of Swix Ski Classics. When we organized the replacement of Jizérska in January, we were able to show the cross-country community that we have the ability to put on a professional event,” says co-president of La Diagonela, Ramun Ratti, noting that January is a great time for a classic ski race in the region.
“This is a time where the Engadin St. Moritz valley shows itself from his best side with perfect snow conditions. The race track will pass the nicest places of our beautiful region,” he says.
“Crossing the lake of world-famous St. Moritz will be a highlight for all participants.”
Ratti also says that during the week of La Diagonela, there is a lot going on in the valley other than the Ski Classics race.
“There are several interesting side events in our host city, which is located in the historical village of Zuoz. We will work hard in order to make the participants feel welcome in the region Engadin St. Moritz and find ideal training conditions for the race,” he says.