On Sunday, January 29, it’s time for the seventh event of Ski Classics Season XIV, the first Grand Classics and second Iconic Climb of the season. Marcialonga is celebrating its 50th edition in 2023. 

Marcialonga, the 70-kilometer Ski Classics Pro Tour race, is the seventh event of Season XIV and 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 50th edition of the traditional Italian long-distance skiing race.

Marcialonga was established in 1971 when a group of Italians decided to replicate 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. 

Read More: 50th Edition Celebration For Marcialonga This Weekend.

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. 

Additionally, the event organizers have adequate snow-farming facilities, ensuring that the race can be held even if there is no natural snow on the ground. 

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 got higher and 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. 

And Here Is What’s New

‘Cascata’ represents both love and hate: 2.260 meters long, 146 meters of height difference, and an average slope of 6.5%. 

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%!

Then, skiers get to Viale Mendini, where once was the finish line. Here, 140 meters to go, once descending and letting the muscles rest, and now, going straight to finish the fascinating and mythical 70km. 

Ski Classics Iconic Climbs

The new addition to Season XIV is the Ski Classics Iconic Climbs, a new category in the Ski Classics points table used for the most iconic climbs of Ski Classics. 

For Season XIV, there will be four Iconic Climbs. Second is Cascata, the finishing hill of Marcialonga. 

Cascata Iconic Climb

• Event: Marcialonga – Ski Classics Event 7
• Date: January 29, 2023 
• Climb: The famous and notorious Cascata is now “only” 1.678 meters long, but the fact that skiers have already done 68km before the climb to Cavalese starts makes it one of the most challenging and hence Iconic!  

Read More About the Iconic Climbs: Ski Classics Launch Iconic Climbs!

MARCIALONGA – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 7

• Date: January 29, 2023
• Location: Trentino, Italy
• Distance: 70km Classic technique
• Start Time: Women 8:05 CET/Men 8:00 CET 
• Number of SC Sprints: 2
• Sprint 1: Canazei 19km
• Sprint 2: Predazzo 45km
• Number of SC Climbs: 1
• Climb: Cascata 70km
• Total Ascent: 1311m

Marcialonga – Course Map & Profile

Marcialonga program, start lists, and live streaming on SC Play can be found HERE.

Ski Classics Fantasy

The free-of-charge Fantasy League for Season XIV is in progress. Create or access your account now and start to set up your Fantasy Pro Team ahead of Marcialonga and score the most points during the Ski Classics Season XIV. 

How to Play

1. Go to SC Fantasy via https://fantasy.skiclassics.com/
2. Login with your existing Fantasy account or create a new one.
3. Read through “HOW TO PLAY” to ensure you understand all the rules and new features.
4. Go to “Team Selection” and choose/buy up to 10 athletes using your starting balance of 40.000 Fantasy dollars. Check out the start lists before each event to ensure that your athletes are on the start line. 
5. Remember to mark one of your athletes as a Team Captain!
6. Go to “Leagues” and join an existing league or create your own to compete with your friends.
7. Invite your friends and family to join you for free in an exciting battle for the win!
8. Have fun, and may the best ski coach win!!

All TV Channels Season XIV

Marcialonga is only one day away, starting on Sunday, January 29. Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics this season:

• SVT – Sweden 
• NRK – Norway 
• Czech TV – Czech Republic 
• TVP – Poland
• WB Discovery – Finland 
• Nent Group – Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, UK 
• beIN Sports – Canada, Turkey, and USA 
• Eurovision (EBU) – News rights
• SC PLAY – all countries (English commentary)

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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