March 03, 2015 – The race day started with -1°C and some foggy weather, however during the race, the sun made its way through the fog and made the race a great experience for everyone.

FIS Marathon Cup leaders Mannima and Novak © FIS Marathon Cup

On the men’s side, the race developed relatively quickly and by 26km, only seven men, including the later first ones, were left together in the leading pack. When there were only 10 more kilometers to go, Stanislav Rezac and Petr Novak (both CZE) made their move and left Benoit Chauvet (FRA), the only one of the former seven racers who was still with them at that point, alone. It looked as if the finish of this year’s La Transjurassiene would be repeated, however, this time, Petr Novak took his chances at a little uphill before the finish and kept on pushing, leaving Rezac to finish second behind him. Chauvet fought on alone and was able to secure the third place. Both Czechs have won the race already several time, leaving them with a knowledge advantage about the course over their contestants.

On the women’s side, all girls skied together for around 25km. When the racer in front of her went for a drink at the feeding station in the stadium after the first lap, Holly Brooks (USA) was caught behind him and had to let the other girls go. She wasn’t able to close the gap thereafter. So it was up to Tatjana Mannima (EST), Klara Moravcova (CZE) and Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA) to battle out the podium places. The Estonian, who already won two FIS Marathon Cup races in classic technique, went on to win also the third one – however less comfortably as the other two, having had to fight the other two girls in the finish sprint. Moravcova took second place in the end and Dabudyk third.

In total over 1500 skiers took part in the 51km CT race, coming from 27 countries. Originally, the track was planned for 50km, however great snow conditions made it possible to extend the race for about one kilometre. The track consisted only of natural snow and winded its course through the Jizera forest.

Novak (CZE) continues as leader of the overall FIS Marathon Cup on the men’s side, Mannima (EST) takes over the lead again on the women’s side!

With his victory today, Petr Novak (CZE) can extend his lead in the overall FIS Marathon Cup to now 404 points. In second place lies Benoit Chauvet (FRA, 315 points) and Sergio Bonaldi (ITA, 223 points) is in third position.

On the women’s side, the fight for the overall FIS Marathon Cup victory continues: With her victory today, Tatjana Mannima from Estonia could once again take over the lead in the cup. She now leads with 427 points in front of Holly Brooks (USA, 410 points) and Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA, 354 pints). With two races left, it will be a tough fight for the overall victory until the end.

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

Quotes from the Top 3

MEN

1st Petr Novak (CZE):
After the waxing disaster in the US, I came home very disappointed and did not feel well. On the other hand it gave me some extra motivation to have a good race today. I wanted to be at the head of the race to control the situation and not to spend too much energy. I knew that with Rezac I would need to save enough energy for the finish sprint. I thought that he will start pushing hard on the last uphill and I needed to keep up with him there. 1 km before the finish there was a little bump and I took my chance and accelerated there. Luckily I was able to keep the gap until fthe inish line. I am very happy, especially after the race in the US.  My skis were gliding a little bit better in some parts of the course but generally I had similar skis as Stan.

2nd Stanislav Rezac (CZE)
Petr and me, we have both won this race already a couple of time and we know the course pretty well. Today, Petr had great skis and was just the tiny bit better which was why I had to settle for second place. However, I am satisfied with the race.

3rd Benoit Chauvet (FRA):
It was a hard race today but I had really good skis. It is hard for me when there is double poling all the way through and Petr is very strong in this. On the uphill about 10 km before the finish Rezac and Novak created a gap that I could not close anymore. I am happy however, that I could kept my 3rd place until the end. Thanks to the OC for a good race. I really want to come back here next year. Now it will be hard to beat Petr for FMC overall but I will do my best.

Ladies:

1st Tatjana Mannima (EST):
It was a hard race but I had very good skis, especially in the downhills! I had a big advantage of good glide which helped me a lot. On the uphills all of us were girls were pretty equal. I am very happy win here today and with it, to get the red bib back again – I hope I can now keep it until the end o the season!

2nd Klara Moravcova (CZE):
I am so happy with my second place today. It was a tough race and with such a high class field, so I am just so happy to end up second. Of course, it was very close in the end, but Tatjana was just a bit stronger in the end today.

3rd Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA):
I did not have the best skis and as the last part towards the finish was downhill, it was not possible for me to beat Tatjana.

Dates:

Next FIS Marathon Cup & Worldloppet races:
March 8 – Engadin Skimarathon (SUI), 42km FT 8th FIS Marathon Cup 2014/15
March 8 – Vasaloppet (SWE), 90km CT

More information: www.worldloppet.com