December 13, 2009 (Livigno, Italy) – The Russian cross-country skier Sergey Shiriaev won the photo finish at the 20th La Sgambeda, beating Fabio Santus (Italy) by a hair. Third place went to World Cup athlete René Sommerfeldt (Germany). In the women’s race Valentina Shevchencko (Ukraine) won over Antonella Confortola (Italy) in the final kilometre. More than 1,700 skiers took part in Livigno in this cross-country week end.

It began on Friday with La Sgambeda in Classica (Classic Technique) and went on with the Minisgambeda. The climax today with as many as nine countries represented in the top 11 men and 12 countries in the top 20 women. All prestigious cross country ‘schools’ were in Livigno for this 20th La Sgambeda with 9 nations among the top 11 athletes.

As usual the 42-kilometre La Sgambeda (the first Fis Marathon Cup race) was decided on the last sprint. The 30 best athletes raced together for 35 kilometres, but after that Jens Svartedal and Ludvig Aasen (Norway) with Sergey Shiriaev and Egor Sorin (Russia), shifted into the higher gear.

So eleven people arrived together at the finish line – among them Fabio Santis (Italy) ready to the final rush. Bus Santis didn’t consider Sergey Shiriaev (Russia). So the latter got the upper hand and won. The distance between the two was so short (only 2 centimetres) that the photo finish was needed to decide who won. Shiriaev (26) comes from Gorki but now lives in Novgorod. In his sports career there is the best timing in January 2007 Tour de Ski last lap. “Today everything was perfect – said Shiriaev, – Good skis, perfect snow, great opponents, warm public… Well I am just happy for this victory”. Third place for René Sommerfeldt (Germany)who, after the World Cup race in Davos yesterday, came to Livigno for a great result, which proofs that he is in great shape.

Marco Cattaneo (35, Italy) was deceived for his 12th place today. The 2008 FIS Marathon Cup winner said: “When they speeded up, 5 kilometres before the finish line, I didn’t succeed in doing the same” said Italy’s national team captain. “However I’m happy, as competition has been fierce”. Two Scandinavians had an even worse result: Jerry Ahrlin, first place at La Sgambeda in 2006 and 2007, got 26th (“It has been the first race of the season, I couldn’t ask for too much.”) and Thomas Alsgaard (Norway, gold medallist in Lillehammer, Nagano and Salt Lake City) who got on the 29th place (“I suffered a lot today, it has been quite hard for me”).

Sgambeda goes east also with women. After a head-to-head race between Antonella Confortola (Italy) and Valentina Shevchenko, the latter got the upper hand on the last kilometre. Confortola had good hopes to win today, after yesterday’s good result in the 10 km race in Davos where Shevchenko (7th) was juste 15 seconds quicker than Confortola (15th). “But today it was another race altogether” said Confortola. Nevertheless she was happy for this weekend where she showed to be in good shape for the Tour de Ski, whose last race will take place in Val di Fiamme, Trentino, where she comes from.

Results (brief)

Men
1. Shiriaev Sergey RUS 1:38.08,3
2. Santus Fabio ITA 1:38.08,4
3. Sommerfeldt Rene GER 1:38.08,6
4. Fischer Remo SUI 1:38.08,9
5. Bajcicak Martin SVK 1:38.09,0
6. Ivanou Aliaksei BLR 1:38.09,7
7. Jonnier Emanuel FRA 1:38.10,0
8. Aasen Ouren Geir Ludvig NOR 1:38.10,1
9. Svartedal Jens Arna NOR 1:38.10,6
10. Sorin Egor RUS 1:38.10,7

Women

1. Shevchenko Valentina UKR 1:46.28,5
2. Confortola Antonella ITA 1:46.53,6
3. Tchekaleva Yulia RUS 1:51.45,7
4. Zernova Natalia RUS 1:51.46,5
5. Hansson Jenny SWE 1:52.34,3
6. Nystrom Susanne SWE 1:54.15,9
7. Mannimaa Tatjana EST 1:54.19,5
8. Vedeneeva Elena RUS 1:55.20,4
9. Groendahl Outi Katrina FIN 1:55.31,4
10. Hansson Sandra SWE 1:57.48,9