January 18, 2015 (Obertilliach, Austria) – Once again, Obertilliach showed off as winter wonderland at the day of the FIS Marathon Cup. After new snowfall yesterday and over night, the sky cleared and the sun came out for the start of the 42km & 20km FT Dolomitenlauf. The race could take off at around -3°C with about 1,500 participants from 29 countries on the startline.

Already soon after the start a group of around ten racers with Livers in the lead took off to decide the winner of the race between themselves. However, Livers pushed on and somehow nobody could follow him so that already at the halfway stage, the Swiss was leading with about a minute! In the end, Livers could show off his strength with advancing Petr Novak (CZE), last year’s first and this year’s second and Adrien Mougel (FRA), this year’s third, by almost two minutes.

On the women’s side, the picture was similar with Holly Brooks (USA), a team member of the US Ski Team’s Olympic Squad in Sotchi last season, breaking away early in the race creating a gap to the other girls. Aurelie Dabudyk from France and Antonella Confortola (ITA) the later second and third, skied their own race most of the time, trying to catch Holly. Especially Confortola geared up in the second half of the race however when she managed to come up from around 6th / 7th spot to battle with the French over second and third. However, the American Brooks could hold on to her lead and finally finished almost 3minutes in front of Dabudyk and Confortola who had a hard fought finish sprint, won by the French settling in for second place, pushing Confortola on to third.

Novak and Brooks now leading the overall FIS Marathon Cup
After his second place today, Petr Novak (CZE) takes over the lead of the overall FIS Marathon Cup from Benoit Chauvet (FRA) who finished 5th in the 41st Dolomitenlauf. Novak now leads with 160 points in front of Toni Livers (150 points) and Benoit Chauvet (145 points).

On the women’s side, Holly Brooks could take over the leader bib from Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN) who didn’t participate in today’s Dolomitenlauf. Brooks now leads with 180 points in front of Aurelie Dabudyk (125 points) and Roponen (100 points).

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

Quotes from the top 3 men and women.

1st Toni Livers (SUI):
I wanted to be in the lead right from the start and on the first uphill I tried to push away. I did not want to leave it until the end and go for a finish sprint as I know that especially Petr Nowak is very good at that.  I was surprised that the gap grew so fast. I also had super skis today, so thanks to my wax techs. It’s my first victory in te FIS Marathon Cup so I am very happy about it. My next FIS Marathon Cup will be most probably the Engadin Skimarathon in March as I will now go back to the World Cup and prepare for the World Championships in Falun (SWE). Therefore the overall FIS Marathon Cup will be very hard to get, however I will do my best to win it.

2nd Petr Novak (CZE):
Toni definitely had the best skis today – it was such a fast race! I had no chance to catch him, especially in the downhills. I also know that he is in a very good shape this season, so I am really happy with my second place. Especially as this second place was also enough to get me the lead in the overall FIS Marathon Cup and therefore the red bib which I will now be wearing during Marcialonga next week. This is was my main goal and I would now like to keep this bib until the end of the season.

3rd Adrien Mougel (FRA):
As I am in the same team as Toni, it was not my goal to catch him. I let Florian (Kostner) and Petr (Novak) work and stayed in the group and prepared for the finish sprint. I know that I am usually good in this kind of sprint, even though I also knew that Petr is very good good at it, too. It has been hard to train this year in Europe and I am not in the best shape at the moment. So I am happy with the result of today. I am now eagerly waiting for the 70km of Marcialonga.

1st Holly Brooks (USA):
It was my first Dolomitenlauf and wow, it was such a beautiful race with a well prepared course. The conditions were just great with perfect sunshine and new snow. I am so happy to now wear the red bib, meaning that I am the leader in the overall Cup. This is so exciting! My next start will be at Marcialonga and I am really looking forward to it.

2nd Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA):
Holly was in the lead from beginning and skied very strongly. I just tried to hold on to my position until the finish which worked out even though Antonella was a strong contestant. I am very happy with the result.

3rd Antonella Confortola (ITA):
I was starting pretty slowly and after the first lap I was 6th or 7th. Then I tried to start pushing forward – first slowly but persistently, especially in the uphills. Then I stayed in the bunch to keep some energy for the finish where I pushed hard again, but in the end Aurelie was just a bit stronger. Anyway, it is a beautiful race today with perfect conditions and a beautiful scenery.

Next FIS Marathon Cup race:
January 25: Marcialonga (ITA) – 3^rd FIS Marathon Cup 2014-15 / 70km CT