Ski Classics continue with Marcialonga on Sunday, January 29, 2023. The 70-kilometer classic race marks the seventh Ski Classics stage, Season XIV’s first Grand Classics event, and its 50th edition.
The traditional Italian long-distance skiing race, Marcialonga, has twice been awarded the “Best Event of the Year” in Ski Classics. The 2023 edition will mark Season XIV’s seventh event, the first Grand Classics race, and the long-awaited 50th edition.
Marcialonga was established in 1971 when a group of Italians decided to copy the world-famous Vasaloppet and create their version of the legend. The event has reached its legendary status as its unique atmosphere and the course that runs through small historical villages are the event’s trademarks.
Thousands of participants come from all over the world to enjoy the event. Many skiers consider Marcialonga the most extraordinary long-distance skiing race due to its magical atmosphere, well-run organization, and beautiful surroundings that the course can offer.
In the pre-event interviews broadcast on SC YouTube earlier today, Davide Stoffie, CEO Marcialonga, and David Nilsson, Director of Ski Classics, are optimistic about the Pro Tour event this coming weekend.
“It’s a real special edition of Marcialonga. We have many events to celebrate this important moment, not for only Marcialonga organization, but also the area, a special day for the Valleys and Trentino,” says Stoffie during the pre-event interview and continues:
“It looks very nice, the weather forecast looks good, and we have a very positive situation about snow conditions and landscape. It snowed Monday and Tuesday, so it looks like a winter postcard.
Everything is set up and going in the right direction. The number of starters is up again, like before Covid; we have 7278 skiers registered, coming from 36 nations, so big numbers as we have in the past for Marcialonga, and this is very special for us,” says Davide Stoffie.
“We are very happy with the season’s first part and our seventh event on Sunday. We had quite a good situation with snow compared to many other destinations in the Alps and the rest of Europe, so, from a snow situation, we were able to deliver what we have planned and the same with the production so far,” says David Nilsson and continues about Marcialonga:
“Being a Grand Classics is not without reason. Marcialonga is definitely, if not the most, one of the most prestigious events in the Tour. And in addition to that, they have the 50th edition, and it’s a very beautiful place to come. We all enjoy coming to Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa, seeing these places and being there; it’s a privilege.”
Route Change and ‘Mur de la Stria’
For the 2023 edition, Marcialonga changed the route, with the finish line in Cavalese in the opposite direction, a shorter and steeper ‘Cascata,’ and the addition of the new ‘Mur de la Stria.’
To celebrate the 50th edition, Marcialonga announced a change of direction. The starting line in Moena is untouchable: the skiers head towards Canazei and, at the turning point under the stunning Dolomites, back again to Moena. Here, historically, skiers used to turn to Val di Fiemme. However, they head down to Molina, where they deal with the first new-in: an extension throughout the village, then back to Cavalese to face ‘Cascata’ ascent.
For the 2023 edition, the ascent shortens to 1.678 meters, with 148 meters of difference in height and an average slope of 8.8%. At the hairpin turn where Rio Gambis flows, skiers change direction and go straight forward to deal with the ‘Mur de la Stria’ (The Witch’s Wall), 583 meters with “just” 58 meters of height difference, with an average slope of 9.9%, reaching even 20%!
“It’s something Iconic because in the last 49 editions, every time, we had the finish line in the opposite direction. This is a milestone for us. It will be tougher for the athletes because it will be shorter, so it will be steeper, and the average gradient will be harder. We are enthusiastic about this change,” concludes David Stoffie, CEO of Marcialonga.
Watch The Full Pre-Event Interviews Here: Marcialonga Pre-Event Interviews Live On SC YouTube
Expect many battles in Italy as the Pro Tour skiers fight for glory in Marcialonga, the seventh Ski Classics stage, and the first Grand Classics event in Season XIV.
MARCIALONGA – Ski Classics Pro Tour – Event 7
- Date: January 29, 2023
- Distance: 70km Classic Technique
- Place: Trentino, Italy
- Start Time: Women 8:05 CET / Men 8:00 CET
- Number of SC Sprints: 2
- Sprint 1: Canazei
- Sprint 2: Predazzo
- Number of SC Climbs: 1
- Climb: Cavalese
Course Map & Profile
The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)
- Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
- Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
- Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km
- Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
- Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
- Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km
- Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
- Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
- Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.
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