Marcialonga, the seventh stage in Ski Classics and the first Grand Classics event of Season XV, takes place this Sunday, January 28, in Italy. Here are all the facts you need to know ahead of the weekend.
Ski Classics Season XV heads to Italy for another action-packed Pro Tour event with the traditional Marcialonga this Sunday.
MARCIALONGA
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the Pro Tour continues with Marcialonga. Covering a challenging 70-kilometer course, the event marks the seventh Ski Classics stage and the first Grand Classics Season XV.
In 1971, Marcialonga was conceived by a group of passionate Italians seeking to emulate the famous Vasaloppet and forge their own legendary race. Over the years, this event has garnered recognition and acclaim, having been awarded the title “Best Event of the Year” in Ski Classics on two occasions.
At the forefront of Marcialonga’s appeal lies its distinctive atmosphere and a course that winds through historical villages, leaving an unforgettable mark on its participants.
Being the first of the four Grand Classics, Marcialonga is one of the major monuments and most prestigious events to win.
The race starts in Moena, Val di Fassa, and finishes on the main street of Cavalese, Val di Fiemme, passing through 13 villages, thousands of cheering spectators, and the first Iconic Climb of Season XV, Cascata, the last hill to Cavalese.
Also Read: Cascata is the first Ski Classics Iconic Climb Season XV
MARCIALONGA – COURSE MAP AND PROFILE
Marcialonga – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 7
- Date: January 28, 2024
- Distance: 70km Classic Technique
- Place: Trentino, Italy
- Start Time: Men 8:00 CET/ Women 8:05 CET
- Number of SC Sprints: 2
- Canazei: 19km
- Predazzo: 45km
- Number of SC Climbs: 1
- Cascata: 70km (Iconic Climb)
- Website: Marcialonga
- SC Play: Marcialonga
Marcialonga program, start lists, timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be found HERE and HERE.
MARCIALONGA SEASON XIV – VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
With participants converging worldwide to enjoy the event, many skiers consider Marcialonga the most extraordinary long-distance skiing race due to its enchanting atmosphere, seamless organization, and picturesque surroundings along the course.
The event organizers have taken meticulous measures to ensure a successful race, boasting efficient snow-farming facilities that guarantee the event’s execution, even without natural snowfall.
Expect fierce competition in Italy as Pro Team athletes embark on a quest for glory in Marcialonga, the seventh Ski Classics stage and the first Grand Classics event in Season XV.
GRAND CLASSICS
The Grand Classics are the four largest and most prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier that wins all four events in the same season completes a Grand Slam.
During Season XI, the Grand Classics events and the Grand Slam were introduced in Ski Classics. The concept was an immediate success and a great motivation among the best Pro Team athletes of Ski Classics. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing, but it might happen in Season XV.
If you win all four Grand Classics, Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet, in the same season, you complete a Grand Slam.
ICONIC CLIMBS
The Iconic Climbs give some extra spark to the most challenging climbs in Ski Classics. For Season XV, there will be four Iconic Climbs. The first is Cascata, the last hill up to Cavalese in Marcialonga.
The Iconic Climb, launched during Season XIV, is a category in the Ski Classics points table. The category is used for the most iconic climbs of Ski Classics.
The idea for the Iconic Climb category is that all climbs differ; some are tougher, and some have more history behind them. Ski Classics wants to enhance the interest around the climbs and reward the strongest athletes slightly more.
The Iconic Climb points are 50% higher than a Category 1 Climb. Winners get 45 instead of 30 points in the Climb competition.
For Season XV, there will be four Iconic Climbs. First, it is up to Cascata, the last hill to Cavalese in Marcialonga. The second Iconic Climb is Raudfjellet, the first long hill in Birkebeinerrennet.
The third is the Orta climb in Reistadløpet, and last but not least is the new Iconic Climb for Season XV, the Magdaskaret climb, in Summit 2 Senja.
SKI CLASSICS FANTASY
The SC Fantasy League for Season XV is in action. Join the excitement of Ski Classics managing your own Fantasy Team. Win prizes throughout the season and chase the Fantasy champion title of Season XV.
Create or access your account now and set up your Fantasy Pro Team for Marcialonga.
How to Play
- Go to SC Fantasy via https://fantasy.skiclassics.com/
- Login with your existing Fantasy account or create a new one.
- Read through “HOW TO PLAY”
- Go to “Team Selection” and start to spend your 40.000 Fantasy dollars.
- Don’t forget to mark one of your athletes as a Team Captain!
- Optional: Create your own League and invite your friends.
- Have fun and may the best Fantasy Team Director win!
WHERE TO WATCH
Marcialonga is just around the corner. Here is an overview of where you can watch the Ski Classics Pro Tour event.
- SVT – Sweden
- NRK – Norway
- Czech TV – Czech Republic
- TVP – Poland
- Warner Bros Discovery – Finland
- SKY/RTTR – Italy
- Servus TV – Austria, Germany, Switzerland
- beIN Sports – Australia, Canada, Turkey, USA
- SC PLAY – all countries (English commentary)
The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries.
SKI CLASSICS PRO TOUR SEASON XV (2023/2024)
- Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
- Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km
- Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
- Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
- Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
- Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
- Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
- Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
- Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com
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Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus
