Date: January 22, 2022
Place: Zuoz, Switzerland
Distance: 55 km Classic technique
Active years: 9
Record number of participants: 900
Highest peak and total climb: 1842 m/812 m
Number of VSC sprints/climbing points: two sprints at 16 km in Samedan and at 22 km in St. Moritz
Start times: Men 8:30 CET, women 8:35 CET
Website: https://ladiagonela.ch
Engadin La Diagonela has been a pivotal part of the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour since the event´s birth in 2014. Back then, the Engadin La Diagonela replaced a canceled Jizerska50, and the organization put together a race in a few days. It turned out to be a success, and the event has grown into the largest cross-country ski race in classic technique in Switzerland. That was the goal of the organizers as they wanted to revive the classic Nordic skiing tradition in the spectacular location of the Engadin Valley.
For Season XII, the course has been shortened from 65km to 55 km, and it partially follows the same beautiful track as the popular free technique race- Engadin Ski Marathon. It also goes by the world- famous town of St. Moritz. The start of the race is at the Pontresina Cross-Country Center, and the finish is in the historic village center of Zuoz. Engadin La Diagonela has three distinctive characteristics: stunning scenery, high altitude skiing and gripping atmosphere.
There are more than 220 km of groomed tracks in the area, which makes the valley a perfect place to spend some relaxing time before or after the event. There are also several glaciers in the valley; Morteratsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Engadin at around seven kilometers, Roseg, Tschierva, Sella and Pers, and they all offer an equally striking display of nature and some of them can be accessed by skiing.
The Engadin valley is famous for its extravagant scenery, sunny days and wonderful towns that give the area its distinct look and feel. Many international events are arranged in the area such as the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions, the annual White Turf horse race on a frozen lake near St. Moritz and the traditional winter horse-drawn sleigh ride involving the inhabitants of the valley. Engadin truly stands for exquisite experiences where the past is as alive as the present and the Swiss nature is simply spellbinding.
Season XI top three:
Men
- Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom, 2:43:49.4
- Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom, 2:47:43.6
- Petter Eliassen, Team Ragde Eiendom, 2:47:43.9
Women
- Jenny Larsson, Team Ramudden, 3:19:49.8
- Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, 3:23:21.4
- Emilie Fleten, Team Koteng, 3:23:25.7
