January 28, 2014 (PillerseeTal, Austria) – More than 1,500 skiers from 30 nations have gathered around the trails for the 2014 Masters Cross-country Skiing World Cup at Tyrol PillerseeTal, in the Kitzbühel Alps. The Pillerseetal in the Kitzbühel Alps is well known as cross-country skiing destination. As host of the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen, the FIS Continental Cup in St. Ulrich am Pillersee and currently host of the Masters World Cup the Tyrolean region proves its Nordic competence.

Race action... © WMP

More than 200 kilometers of cross-country skiing and winter hiking trails, offers the Pillerseetal its guests. The frequent snowfalls, which also give the region its reputation as “snow hole of the Kitzbühel Alps”, ensures optimum cross-country skiing conditions from late November until April.

“Cross-country skiing is in Pillersetal, especially in the biathlon stronghold Hochfilzen and the FIS Continental Cup towns of St. Ulrich am Pillersee and St. Jakob in Haus, a very important factor. Ensuring a large net of cross-country trails, the corresponding range of cross-country schools, shops and rental stations we offer beginners and professionals an optimal program,” confirmed Florian Phleps, the Managing Director of the Tourism Board Pillerseetal.

1,500 skiers from 30 nations... © WMP

Masters Cross-country World Cup
Since Friday of last week, the Masters cross-country World Cup takes place in the Tyrolean region. The mid-term review of the organizers in St. Ulrich am Pillersee and Hochfilzen is positive. More than 1,100 athletes from 30 nations and over 600 escorts give the region currently a very special international flair.

“From Andorra to USA we meet 30 nations on the routes around the event venues,” says the mayor of St. Ulrich am Pillersee, Brigitte Lackner. Till Friday the Masters World Cup, which is characterized despite stiff competition, especially by an almost friendly fairness, will continue. “Of course it comes to gold, silver and bronze medals and correspondingly hard is also the sporting competition. But the fair gestures on and off the track show how high the respect in between the athletes,” points out race director Wolfgang Woergoetter.

Camaraderie... © WMP

The fact that the sporting achievements are to be honored, show the results lists. In addition to the very strong Russian, Italian and Scandinavian teams, with partly more than 200 team members, the German and Austrian teams show of with strong performances. In four races currently no less than 16 athletes from seven nations may be described as double world champion.
With 4 dual gold medals Italy is leading the ranking. With Rico Hofmann, Norbert Ganner and Christian Baldauf Austria currently provides 3 double world champion. Benjamin Seifert and Ferdinand Kraller lead with 2 goldmedals among the German participants.

For the next three days of competition, the relay events and the long distance race over 45 kilometers in classic and free technique are on the program.

All results and information here.