January 22, 2018 (Austria) – For the 44th time now hundrets of skiers enjoyed the great winterlandscape of the Dolomitenlauf, the Austrian Worldloppet race and opening stage of the FIS Worldloppet Cup 2018. Already before the race it was clear, that the Frechmen will play their role in the fight for the victory, both in the men’s and the ladie’s race. In the previous years the French skiers showed their strenght in marathon skiing at the Dolomitenlauf, so they did in 2018. 3 French men and 2 French ladies on the podium.

Mougel wins 44th Dolomitenlauf © EXPA

WINNING MEN AT THE 44TH DOLOMITENLAUF

As it is already tradition, the Frenchmen dominated the opening stage of the FIS Worldloppet Cup 2018 – the Dolomitenlauf. Again, like last year the Haute Savoie Nordic Team was able to jump on the podium. But this year not as winner, but as 2nd place. The victory goes to another French profiteam, to Jobstation Rossignol Team: Adrien Mougel (FRA) finaly managed to win his first FIS Worldloppet Cup race. Until the last kilometers the group of aproximately 10 skiers worked together, but then Mougel was able to get some meters between him and the rest on the final hill leading to the finish in the village of Obertilliach. So he entered the finish lane already with some meters advantage and brought it home safely after 1:55,05. Gerard Agnellet, also France, took the second place, and Mougel’s teammate, Benoit Chauvet fullfilled the French podium, coming to the finish 7 seconds later.

“I changed my training this year a little bit and I think it paid off now. But it was only at the final hill, when I knew, I really can win this thing. I am feeling strong and I am excited about the Worldloppet Cup winter,” quoted Mougel at the press conference.

Results of the Dolomitenlauf 2018 – men (click for full results)

1st – Adrien Mougel (FRA) – Jobstation Rossignol
2nd – Gerard Agnellet (FRA) – Haute Savoie Nordic
3rd – Benoit Chauvet (FRA) – Jobstation Rossignol
4th – Bastien Poirrier (FRA) – Jobstation Rossignol
5th – Loic Guigonnet (FRA) – Haute Savoie Nordic
6th – Petr Novak (CZE) – Vltava Fund Craft Team

FIS Worldloppet Cup overall ranking men after 1 of 7 stages (click for full standings)

1st – Adrien Mougel (FRA, Jobstation Rossignol Team) – 100 points
2nd – Gerard Agnellet (FRA, Nordic Team Haute-Savoie) – 80 points
3rd – Benoit Chauvet (FRA, Jobstation Rossignol Team) – 60 points

Women's podiium at 44th Dolomitenlauf © EXPA

WINNING LADIES AT THE 44TH DOLOMITENLAUF

Also the women’s race was an exciting one. But the end was the same like in 2016 & 2017: The French marathon skiing star Aurelie Dabudyk (Team Haute Savoie Nordic), won also 2018’s Dolomitenlauf and gets the first 100 points for the cup. The second place goes to here compatriot Roxane Lacroix, coming to the finish 1:08 later. The thrid place promises an exciting Worldloppet Cup winter again: Last year’s strongest competitor of Dabudyk, was Maria Gräfnings from Sweden, who today came to Obertilliach as 3rd. She is member of the SAS Pro Team.

“To be honest, I don’t know what makes me that strong. My preparation went very well, I am feeling strong, and I am just happy with my 3rd victory here in Austria”, says Dabudyk.

Results of the Dolomitenlauf 2018 – women (click for full results)

1st – Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA)
2nd – Roxane Lacroix (FRA)
3rd – Maria Graefnings (SWE)
4th – Rahel Imoberdorf (SUI)
5th – Klara Moravcova (CZE)
6th – Nicole Donzallaz (SUI)

FIS Worldloppet Cup overall ranking women after 1 of 7 stages (click for full standings)

1st – Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA, Nordic Team Haute-Savoie) – 100 points
2nd – Roxane Lacroix (FRA, Team nordique credit agricole – 80 points
3rd – Maria Gräfnings (SWE, SAS Pro Team) – 60 points

WORLDLOPPET TV – THE MAGAZIN SHOWING THE DOLOMITENLAUF

Highlights and beautiful pictures are part of the next worldloppetTV – the magazine episode. It will be online soon on www.worldloppet.com and on the Worldloppet Facebook channel.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, DATA & PICTURES

• Find pictures in high resolution here. Please use (c) EXPA. More pictures to find on Worldloppet-web.

Last year’s winners

• FIS Worldloppet Cup Overall 2017 Men: Candide Pralong/SUI
• FIS Worldloppet Cup Overall 2017 Women: Aurelie Dabudyk/FRA
• Dolomitenlauf 2017 men: Ivan Perrillat-Boiteux/FRA
• Dolomitenlauf 2017 women: Aurelie Dabudyk/FRA

Coming FIS Worldloppet Cup stages:

• König Ludwig Lauf – Germany, 4.2.2018
• La Transjurasienne – Frankreich, 11.2.2018
• Tartu Maraton – Estonia, 18.2.2018
• American Birkebeiner – USA, 24.2.2018
• Demino Skimarathon – Russia, 3.3.2018
• Engadin Skimarathon – Switzerland, 11.3.2018

WORLDLOPPET – THE WORLD OF MARATHON SKIING!!!
More information: www.worldloppet.com