January 26, 2014 (Cavalese, Italy) – In around -4 degrees and under a light snowfall, the 41^st Marcialonga started in Moena this morning. Around 8000 racers took part – from elite racers to cross country enthusiasts and passionate skiers. However, the first ones had the hardest job as light snowfall just before the race had put a cover over the tracks and made the race very slow in the first half. Normally, by the time the athletes reach the half stage mark when they return to the start in Moena, they are already spread out – but not this time.

Simen Oestensen wins the men's 70km Marcialonga © Worldloppet

Even in Lago di Tesero, not very far from the finish, over 20 athletes were still together, but already with Simen Oestensen (NOR) as the leader. This should not change until the finish. The Norwegian who had been third once in the overall Tour de Ski standing (2007) pushed hard and enlarged tha gap to his followers on “La Cascada” – the steep 3km long last uphill to the finish in Cavalese.

Men's podium (l) Dahl 2nd, Oestensen 1st, Aukland 3rd © Nordic Focus

Behind him, the battle was open for the second and third spot: Three men had gotten themselves a gap to their followers, but none would give the other a milimetre of advantage. So the fight was hard until the finish line. In the end, John Kristian Dahl (NOR) got some centimetres advantage over Joergen Aukland (NOR), the winner of the last two years. Johan Kjoelstad (NOR) had to take the wooden medal with the fourth place.

On the women’s side everybody thought it will be another victory for Seraina Boner (SUI). However, having been in bed for the last days, the Swiss gave everything she had but today, the Russian Julia Tikhonova was stronger. She got a gap right after they passed Moena on the way to Predazzo which she could increase until the end. Boner had to race a long time by herself but could asure that the second place was safe for her. The surprising third became Annika Löfström from Sweden. Spread out in the men’s field, the women had to fight their own way to the finish.

Women's podium (l) Boner 2nd, Tikhonova 1st, Löfström 3rd © Worldloppet

Novak and Roponen Still Overall Leaders
On the men’s side, there is no change in lead of the FIS Marathon Cup ranking: Petr Novak (CZE), who had not raced today, still leads with 180 points in front of Martin Koukal (CZE, 120 points), who got 32^nd today. Petter Northug (NOR) is in third place with 100 points, ex aequo with today’s winner Simen Oestensen (NOR).

On the women’s side, Riita-Liisa Roponen (FIN) also stays in the lead with 200 points, in front of Julia Tikhonova (RUS) who now has 180 points, and Seraina Boner (SUI) who is third with 160 points.

Quotes from the top three men and women

1st Simen Oestensen (NOR):
I am very happy and satisfied! I have already been close several times here, but I never made it. But today was my day, I went for it, I pushed hard and I got it. It was a very tough race, especially with the new snow in the first part of the race. We stayed a very large group until very late in the race and I always tried to be in the front group to be out of any trouble. It worked out fine and when I saw that I still had good power left and a good glide, I just went for it and pushed and pushed and the gap between me and the followers grew. But you never have to underestimate the last climb, so I pushed on – and finished first! It was really my big goal this season and I am very happy to have achieved it!

2nd John Kristian Dahl (NOR):
It’s a great feeling to be on the podium in Marcialonga. I had very good skis and I tried to race smartly. I always tried to be in the main group, close to the front. In case I would break a pole, I would still be able to catch up with the group which is essential when you do long distance racing. Racing alone is not good if you want to catch somone. I knew that the race really starts from Lago di Tesero on. I had a good position and I could keep it into the last uphill. I knew that Joergen is very strong in this uphill, so I pushed and pushed. It was so close in the end and I am relly happy that it worked out with this second place.

3rd Joergen Aukland (NOR):
I am satisfied with this third place. Sure the preparation with my shoulder injury wasn’t perfect, but luckily it didn’t disturb me at all during the race. It was a tough one with all this new snow in the track, especially after Canazei – nobody could get away so we were still a big group when we came back to Moena. Later in the race, Simen got a gap and I tried to stay with the followers. John Kristian was very strong in the uphill and I am really happy that I managed to stay with him and to put my foot over the line as third! It was very close in the end!

1st Julia Tikhonova (RUS):
I am so happy! It’s an incredible thing to win Marcialonga! I haven’t expected that! I knew that the race would be decided at the last uphill. I especially prepared for that and I am really satisfied and happy that this special preparation worked out! I hope to race many more races this winter and of course to be on the podium again!

2nd Seraina Boner (SUI):
Surely it would have been great to win again, but honestly I am really satisfied with my second place. I was in bed, dinking tea the last two days and didn’t feel very well. This morning it was better and I tought to give it a go. Julia pushed really hard and when she had a gap after about the half of the race, I couldn’t close it again. So I kept going, pushing hard nevertheless as I knew that the others were coming, too. It’s good that there are more girls now racing in the long distance competitions, but there is still place for more! I hope that others will follow even if that means that it will be harder to win. Next stop will be the Olympics for me – I am so excited that it worked out for me in the end. The Games just fit perfectly in my calendar so I do not have to change much.

3rd Annika Löfström (SWE):
That’s so amazing! I never ever imagined that I could make it to the podium today!!! I am still speachless! I had a really good race. It was slow at the start with the new snow which made it also a very tough race, especially at the start where everbody pushed really hard and then suddenly the track gets pretty narrow. However, I really enjoyed it and am more than satisfied with my third place!

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