December 11, 2009 (Livigno, Italy) – La Sgambeda will again mark the start of the FIS Marathon Cup season this coming Sunday, December 13. Traditionally La Sgambeda also launches the cross-country ski marathon season in Europe as the early birds test their shape on the 42km free technique course. The challenge of the high altitude (1800m over sea level) is partially made up by the spectacular surroundings around Lago di Livigno and along the so-called Small Tibet valley on the Italian side of the Swiss-Italian border.

La Sgambeda is the first of the ten ski marathons that belong to the FIS Marathon Cup series. The second race, on the second weekend of January 2010, is the 43rd Patria Direct Jizerská padesátka 50 in the Czech Republic. For more information on the FMC, please visit www.worldloppet.com

Registrations for Jizerská padesátka are available at www.jiz50.cz by 31 December 2009 and it is also possible to register on site the day of the race. Many-time Olympic and world champion Thomas Alsgaard will be one of the stars in the lineup of Patria Direct Jizerska 50: “I was impressed by the nature, the nice course and all the people. The race was well organized, and I am looking forward to returning there,” says Thomas Alsgaard. “The course was different from all the other marathon races – long hard uphills – very tough!”