December 12, 2014 – “Finally!” That’s what Benoit Chauvet (FRA) has certainly thought when he crossed the finish line of this year’s edition of La Sgambeda. After 42km skied in the freestyle technique, the Frenchman had taken his chance in the finish sprint – normally not his thing – and this time, he made it. The hard fought second place went, after consultation of the fotofinish, to Petr Novak (CZE). The third on the podium was another French, Robin Duvillard.

As almost every year, the race, which winds along the valley of Livigno, started under bright sunshine and temperatures of around -9°C – perfect conditions for the 25th edition of La Sgambeda. Not everywhere, people can enjoy such great skiing possibilities at the moment as in Livigno. Even though most of the snow on the track was artificial snow, a real winter feeling was guaranteed.

When the big pack took off, later winner Chauvet was only among the first 60. The favourites then quickly changed the pace and already drew away from the big group. After the first loop, a group of only eight racers were leading, in the end, four more athletes caught up with them and fought for the first places.

On the women’s side, Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN), the winner of the last two editions of La Sgambeda, showed right from the beginning, that she is there to win again. She quickly established a more then 2minute lead over the later second Holly Brooks (USA). The American, a member of the American National Team until last season and a participant of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi last year, decided to focus on long distance skiing this season and will race the whole FIS Marathon Cup. Behind her, the fight was on long time, but in the end it was Ekaterina Rudakova (BLR), who made the difference and took third place.

Almost 1000 skiers took part in today’s race which took place on the unusual day of Friday and enjoyed perfect skiing conditions.

Chauvet now leader of the overall FIS Marathon Cup – the same goes for Roponen
With their victories in today’s race, Benoit Chauvet as well as Riitta-Liisa Roponen are both leading with 100 points in the respective overall FIS Marathon Cup ranking. Petr Novak and Holly Brooks are second with 80 points and Robin Duvillard and Ekaterina Rudakova are third with 60 points.

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

Quotes from of the top 3 Men

1. Benoit Chauvet (FRA):
I am so happy! Yesterday I felt good but when I got on my skis today, I thought that this will be tough as I didn’t feel very strong and good. I stayed behind in the beginning and tried to avoid any falls. Straight from the beginnig the speed was pretty high and we quickly became a smaller group until we were only eight at the end of the first loop. Robin tried to speed up a couple of kilometres before the finish to break up the group but it didn’t really work. I knew that it will come to a finish sprint. About four km before the finish I had a fall which hurt quite a bit, but I tried not to think about it and to just go on. I positioned myself well for thi last couple of hundred metres and then just pushed as hard as I could. And finally the luck was on my side and I could finish first. It’s the perfect start into the season as my main goal is to finally win the overall this time!

2. Petr Novak (CZE):
After not having skied a lot of long distance races last year as I focused on the Olympic Games in Sochi, I am really happy to be back. I just love the atmosphere you have at these races. Today, it was a really nice race. I hoped to be in front and I am really happy with me second place today.

3. Robin Duvillard (FRA):
I haven’t raced here before but this is a really beautiful area and a really great race. I really enjoyed sking here today. Ok, it’s not the most demanding course which makes it difficult to get away from the others, but we achieved at least to break up the big group from the start right at the first uphill. It was a fast race and I hoped to be in front. It all came down to the finish sprint and there Ben was the strongest today. I am really happy to be on the podium today.

Quotes from of the top 3 Women

1. Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN):
I can’t believe it – I did the hat trick! I am really satisfied with today’s race. I really like skiing here – it’s a wonderful race. I just kept on skiing in my pace as I was in a good group with some men. I always got the information where the others were so I knew that I had to keep on pushing. Let’s see what I can do this year in the FIS Marathon Cup.

2. Holly Brooks (USA):
My first time here in Livigno, racing La Sgambeda and my very first time that I wasn’t with a team. In a way, everything was new, but it all worked out fine and I am very, very happy to have been able to start the season like this. The race went very well and it is so great to hear all the people cheering for you. Everybody is cooperating in such a long distance race, when you are in a group, you take turns for leading. But as it is pretty flat here, it’s pretty difficult to close a gap, especially when you try it alone. So I wasn’t able to get to Riitta-Liisa, but I am really happy with my second place. I am already looking very much forward to my next race.

3. Ekaterina Rudakova (BLR):
I didn’t expect anything today as I had a back injury lately. I just wanted to have a good race and get back into the feeling of skiing a race. However, when I heard in the end that I wasn’t that far off of the second place, I was a little bit disappointed nevertheless. I will surely come back here next year again, but for now, I am focusing on the preparation of the World Ski Championships in Falun (SWE).