December 13, 2011 – With the FIS World Cup cross country season already under way since mid-November, the FIS Marathon Cup season was slated to begin with La Sgambeda’s 42km free technique race on December 18. Well – that was the plan! Unfortunately the weather didn’t want to play along and therefore the first FIS Marathon Cup race this season had to be cancelled due to lack of snow (but some events are running see below). Provided the weather and snow conditions throughout Europe and elsewhere cooperate, however, this year’s FIS Marathon Cup and the Worldloppet series promise a full schedule of exciting races featuring many of the top stars in both marathon as well as World Cup ski racing.

The Races
Even though it has snowed in Livigno, site of the La Sgambeda, there’s not enough snow to be able to prepare the 21km course which was scheduled to be lapped two times. Wonderfully situated in the “Piccolo Tibet” valley, it would have offered a perfect setting for the first FIS Marathon Cup race this season. The children’s Minisgambeda and the Sgambeda short race are scheduled to be held on a 3km loop regardless, on the 17th and 18th of December, respectively.

The FIS Marathon Cup will hopefully start full speed after Christmas with the Jizerská Padesatka in the Czech Republic on January 8, 2012. It has already snowed up in the mountains and the organizing committee is optimistic  about getting more snow in the upcoming days and weeks. With the start and finish in Bedrichov, just outside Liberec, the host town of the 2009 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, this 50km race in classic technique will take place for the 45th time. The race is already fully booked even though its capacity was increased by 20%! “What’s important is that the Jizerská 50 is gaining international prestige, as far more participants from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia are registering” points out Marek Tesař of the agency Mather Activation, which is the marketing partner of the race.

A short break after this event will allow the athletes to gather their strength for two months full of FIS Marathon Cup races each weekend! The series starts with the 38th edition of the Dolomitenlauf in Austria, taking place on January 22. It’s 60km course, skied in free technique, is set along the valley, starting and finishing in the wonderful town of Lienz, situated in the heart of the Dolomites. Another event which is highly appreciated by athletes and spectators alike is the Dolomitensprint which takes place just before the “big race”. In the city centre of Lienz, a sprint course is set up in order to provide a challenging track to all those loving to ski fast, short distances and go “man against man”.

January then finishes with the traditional Marcialonga 70km race in classic technique in Trentino, Italy on January 29. In its 39th edition, parts of the course are used for the famous FIS Tour de Ski, leading from the ski stadium in Lago di Tesero to the final climb, the Alpe Cermis.

The weekend after, the FIS Marathon Cup makes a stop in Oberammergau, Germany for the 40th edition of the 50km Konig-Ludwig-Lauf, raced in classic technique on February 5. Starting in Ettal, known for its famous monastery, the tracks pass the Chateau Linderhof, build by Ludwig II between 1869 and 1886, permitting a fantastic view of the building, before finishing in Oberammergau, the town of the world reknowned “Passion Plays” which are held every ten years.

Moving from Germany to France the weekend after, it’s time for the 76km free technique La Transjurassienne race on February 12! For the 34th time, this race will be held in the heart of the Jura mountains and passes through two different French “départements”, having its start in Lamoura, which lies in the Jura, and finishing in Mouthe, situated in the Doubs. During its 76km, it also passes the famous site of Chaux-Neuve, known for its annual FIS Nordic Combined World Cup.

No time to rest after this exhausting race, it’s straight to Estonia for the 41st Tartu Maraton and its 63km race in classic technique on February 19. Its start is in the town of Otepaa, the host town of the 2011 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships, and finishes, after a wonderful stretch through the Estonian countryside, in Elva, north of Otepaa.

The FIS Marathon Cup then stays in the North with its next event being held in Finland: the 39th Finlandia Hiihto and its 50km classic technique race in Lahti, on February 25. Only one week before the whole Nordic World Cup circuit stops in Lahti, the ski stadium will be the start and finish area for the famous Finlandia Hiihto which hopes to encourage over 7,000 skiers to ski together. A special long distance cup was created in Finland this year, and naturally Finlandia Hiihto takes part in this eight event cup.

Next stop for the FIS Marathon Cup: Sweden and its ever famous Vasaloppet, the prestigious 90km race in classic technique, on March 4. Already in its 88th edition this year, this high profile event, which starts in Salen and finishes in Mora, does not need to be explained any further. A full week of cross country races precedes the main event on Sunday.

Then it’s off to Middle Europe again, more precisely to Switzerland, for the Engadin Skimarathon and its 42km in free technique on March 11. For the 44th time, the Engadin valley hosts this fantastic cross country ski event, which welcomes about 12.000 racers each year. Starting in Maloja, it passes well known places such as Silvaplana, St.Moritz and Pontresina before it finishes in Zuoz / S-chanf.

The FIS Marathon Cup season finishes off with another highlight: the famous Birkebeinerrennet on March 17 – a 54km race skied in classic technique, between Rena and Lillehammer, the latter the host town of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and yearly the place where Nordic World Cups are held. The champions of the FIS Marathon Cup season 2011/2012 will be crowned there after having finished the Birkebeinerrennet’s 75th edition.

Race Favourites
The big question is once again: who will be the king and the queen of marathon skiing after a season full of challenging races? Especially in a season with no  Olympic Winter Games or World Ski Championships on the calender for the World Cup skiers, it is more than likely that several prominent World Cup athletes will show up at some FIS Marathon Cup races. No less than Petter Northug Jr. has already confirmed his participation at the Konig-Ludwig-Lauf, the Marcialonga and the Vasaloppet. Dario Cologna, having already participated in the Engadin Skimarathon like his team mate Remo Fischer, as well as France’s Jean Marc Gaillard, are also thinking about getting into the world of marathon skiing this year.

Martin Koukal from the Czech Republic, representing his country in World Championships and Olympic Winter Games and a former World Champion in the 50km race (Val di Fiemme, 2003) has decided to dedicate a full season to marathon skiing and has joined the Skinfit Racing team, which is based in Ramsau, Austria.

However, for the victory in the overall FIS Marathon Cup, surely the same names as last year will be battling for the three podium places. Let’s see if there are some new faces who can challenge the winners of last year: Jerry Ahrlin (SWE, Team Xtra Personell), Fabio Santus (ITA) and Stanislav Rezac (CZE, Patria Direct Team) on the men’s side and Sandra Hansson (SWE, Team United Bakeries), Susanne Nystrom (SWE, Team Exspirit) and Seraina Boner (SUI, Team Exspirit) among the women.

Boner already took part in the Nordic Opening (World Cup) in Kuusamo at the end of November and has changed her marathon racing team. Instead of racing for the Engadin Skimarathon Team she is now starting for Team Exspirit, a Swedish team in which she is the only non-Swede.

The start lists of most of the races already show quite a few interesting names and as always, the Scandinavians are up front. It will be interesting where cross country stars like Thomas Alsgaard (NOR), Matthias Fredriksson (SWE, Team Exspirit), Oskar Svard (SWE, Team Exspirit), Jorgen Brink (SWE), Simen Oestensen (NOR, Team Xtra Personell) and the Aukland brothers (both Team Xtra Personell) will place themselves this year in the overall ranking. Not to forget the “Squadra Azzura” with Fabio Santus, Marco Cattaneo and Bruno Carrara. Thomas Freimuth (GER) and Martin Koukal (CZE), both from Team Skinfit, will try to challenge these guys, as well as Aleksei Ivanou (BLR, Skinfint Racing Team) and Benoit Chauvet (FRA). Seraina Mischol (SUI, Engadin Skimarathon Team) and Ursina Badilatti (SUI, Engadin Skimarathon Team), will both try on the women’s side to challenge their former teammate Boner, as will Jenny Hansson (SWE), who is with Team Exspirit. Sabine Valbusa and Antonella Wyatt Confortolla, both from Italy and well known cross country stars, will try to get on the podium as many times as possible, especially as Valbusa missed 3rd place overall last year only by five points!

Other Worldloppet Races
Not only are there FIS Marathon Cup races on the programme this winter but also several other Worldloppet races. There is for instance the Sapporo International Ski Marathon on February 5, which is held in the host town of the 2007 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The famous Sapporo Dome, place of several matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is home to the finish of the 50km free technique main race which gives the whole event a very special character. This year is the 32nd edition of the race. Who can claim to have skied in a marathon race which finishes under the roof of a multi-sports arena?! One can feel like the athletes in either the cross country sprints or the nordic combined sprint races in the 2007 World Championships, which all took place in the Sapporo Dome!

Two other great Worldloppet races are the the Gatineau Loppet (CAN) and the American Birkebeiner (USA). The Canadian 53km classic technique main race takes place on February 18, followed by a 53km free technique race the next day. The American version of the famous Birkebeinerrennet, a 50km free technique (main) race, is scheduled for a week later, on February 25. Both events have great character and the Gatineau Loppet is in its 34th year while the American Birkie is in its 39th edition this winter.

As a new member of the Worldloppet circuit, but with a long tradition of its own, the Bieg Piastow race in Poland awaits the racers with a 50km main race in classic technique on March 3.

All these race places as well as the ones who host a FIS Marathon Cup do not only have this ONE race on offer. There are many more race possibilities for everyone to enjoy: short races, kids races, family races, company races….and on and on!
For more information, please have a look on the Worldloppet Ski Federation web site HERE.

Facebook an Twitter

For the upcoming winter season, a new Facebook page was created. Become a friend of “Worldloppet Fismc” HERE.  Become a fan of “Worldloppet & FIS Marathon Cup” HERE and stay updated throughout the whole winter on all things FIS Marathon Cup and on the world of marathon skiing.

You can also follow Worldloppet and FIS Marathon Cup races on Twitter @WlandFISMaCup or HERE.

All information placed on the Worldloppet web page will also be announced on both features – so you won’t miss any news! In addition, more interesting information, pictures, short videos and hot news will be uploaded there during the winter, especially during race days! Please spread the word about this perfect opportunity to stay updated with the FIS Marathon Cup and the Worldloppet world of marathon skiing!

Nevertheless, a newsletter will be send out approximately one week before each race and right after the race with more detailed information on each race and with comments from the winning athletes.

Facts and Figures 2010-2011

•    This season is the 13th edition of the FIS Marathon Cup

•    157.469 persons took part in all Worldloppet races

•    59.860 persons were racing in the FIS Marathon Cup races

•    143 men scored points in the FIS Marathon Cup

•    42 women scored points

•    people from 44 nations hold Worldloppet passports

•    195 new Gold Masters were awarded

•    20 new silver Masters were awarded

•    11.886 people hold a Worldloppet passport

•    14.041 Worldloppet passports have been issued

•    From the profile, the hardest race is La Transjurassienne (76km), but the hardest to win is surely the 90km Vasaloppet

•    The prize money for the overall FIS Marathon Cup is 31.300€ (men & women, devided between the first six)

•    The minimum prize money for an individual FIS Marathon Cup race is 24.500€ (divided 50-50 between men & women and then under the first six)

•    Jerry Ahrlin had 3 wins last winter on the men’s side & Sandra Hansson could claim 4 victories on the women’s side

•    Last year’s overall winner Jerry Ahrlin already won this title in 2007, runner-up Fabio Santus won the overall FIS MC in 2010 and third placed Stanislav Rezac was already on the podium at the very first edition of the FIS Marathon Cup back in the season 1999-2000! He has been on the podium 4 times since then, but could never win the overall ranking.

•    Last year’s FIS MC queen Sandra Hansson was already on the podium in 2010 and 2009. Runner-up Susanne Nyström was second already in 2010 – for Seraina Boner it was the first overall FIS Marathon Cup podium.

FIS Marathon Cup 2011/2 Calendar

December 18, 2011 – La Sgambeda (ITA) → main race cancelled
January 8, 2012 – Jizerská Padesatka (CZE)
January 22, 2012 – Dolomitenlauf (AUT)
January 29, 2012 – Marcialonga (ITA)
February 5, 2012 – Konig-Ludwig-Lauf (GER)
February 12, 2012 – La Transjurassienne (FRA)
February 19, 2012 – Taru Maraton (EST)
February 25, 2012 – Finlandia Hiihto (FIN)
March 4, 2012 – Vasaloppet (SWE)
March 17, 2012 – Birkebeinerrennet (NOR)

Other Worldloppet races

February 5, 2012 – Sapporo International Ski Marathon (JPN)
February 18-19, 2012 – Gatineau Loppet (CAN)
February 25, 2012 – American Birkebeiner (USA)
March 3, 2012 – Bieg Piastow (POL)

For more details on all races see the WorldLoppet Ski Federation web site HERE.