January 25, 2015 (Mazzin, Italy) – A wonderful winter scenery awaited the almost 8000 racers on the start line of this year’s Marcialonga. However, Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme, the two valleys through which the prestigious race runs through, hadn’t seen much snow in the last couple of weeks.

Marcialonga start © Worldloppet

Therefore, the OC had to take the hard decision to shorten this year’s 42ndedition of Marcialonga from the normal 70km to 57km. The start was therefore not in Moena anymore, but in the village of Mazzin. As Marcialonga is known for being a steady downhill and flat classic technique race after the first 25km (besides the last 2 steep kilometres uphill to the finish in Cavalese), this year’s edition was once more an invitation to all double poling spcecialists, some of them not even using classic skis anymore as they only count on the power of their arms to push themselves forward.

Also today, the field stayed relatively close together, making it a speedy race, until Oystein Pettersen (NOR) tries to make a move in the steep climp to the finish. However, Anders Aukland (NOR) and Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) give everything and pass the Swede Jens Eriksson and the Norwegian Tore Berdal while trying to catch the forward pushing Pettersen.

Tord Asle Gjerdalen © Worldloppet

The two reach their oponent right before the top of the climb, however, it is Gjerdalen who has the most power left and pushes away from Aukland, who in the end finishes second behind Gjerdalen and in front of Oystein “Poelse” Pettersen who finishes third.

On the women’s side, the race was also quite a narrow story. The best four women are within 43s with Smutna, the Czech born Austrian who raced in the World Cup until recently, winning only 9s in front of Leila Kveli (NOR). Only a couple of seconds later, Seraina Boner (SUI) crosses the finish line, having tried everything to surpass the other two but having had to setlle for third in the end.

Katerina Smutna © Worldloppet

Petr Novak (CZE) now leads the overall FIS Marathon Cup with 200 points, Brooks (USA) continues to lead on the women’s side with now 194 points.

With his sixth place today, Petr Novak (CZE) could extend his lead in the overall FIS Marathon Cup as Toni Livers (SUI) was racing in the World Cup in Rybinsk (RUS) and his close followers Benoit Chauvet and Adrien Mougel (both FRA) only finished 60th and 78th respectively. Novak now leads with 200 points in front of Toni Livers (150 points) and Benoit Chauvet (145 points).

Holly Brooks (USA) © Nordic Focus

On the women’s side, Holly Brooks (USA) continues to lead the overall with now 194 points after her 17th place today. Behind her, Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA) is second with 154 points (after her 9th place today). The third spot is split between Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN) and Katerina Smutna (AUT) who have both raced and won once and therefore have 100 points each.

The complete result list from today’s race & the actual overall FIS Marathon Cup standings here.

Quotes from the podium

1st Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR)
It’s really cool to win here in Italy, especially as it is such a traditional and important race in the calendar. We really had incredible skis. The whole team did a great job in attacking throughout the race. I am just so happy that I had enough power left to win the finish sprint and therefore the race!

2nd Anders Aukland (NOR)
Of course I would have liked to win – it was a tough race and a hard fight the whole way through today, and in the end Tord Asle was just a bit stronger. We pushed both very hard in the last uphill after Oystein had attacked and I thought I can bring it right into the finish but once up on the finish straight, Tord Asle pushed so hard that I couldn’t match it. In any way, it was a great day for our team!

3rd Oystein Pettersein (NOR)
I tried everything and gave all I had, but in the end it wasn’t enough. So I have to be happy with my third place as Tord Asle and Anders were just really strong today.

1st Katerina Smutna (AUT)
It was a really hard race today, especially the last uphill was consuming a lot of energy. But I was strong enough today to go all the way through and win the race. I am really happy!

2nd Leila Kveli (NOR)
That was a really tough race today – I had the lactate right up to my ears, but it was great and very interesting right until the end. I am really happy with my second place.

3rd Seraina Boner (SUI)
I had a really good second half of the race when my skis went much better and faster then in the first half. However, I had to use a lot of energy to catch up with the others again, so I didn’t have enough power left for the the last metres and had to settle for third. Katerina and Leila were really strong today.

Please find pictures of the race on the Worldloppet Facebook page here.

Next FIS Marathon Cup race
February 7: La Transjurassienne, 4th FIS Marathon Cup 2014/15, 56km CT