Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina, the double long-distance skiing event in Italy, becomes part of the Ski Classics Challengers series with a 42km classic and a 35km skating races in the Dobbiaco/Toblach and Cortina d’Ampezzo areas.
The Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina is one of the most traditional Italian long-distance skiing events held since 1977. To celebrate its 47th edition, the event is now part of the Ski Classics Challengers series with two races: a 42km classic on February 3 and a 35km skating on February 4, 2024.
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Dobbiaco-Cortina 2023 Official Video
Historical Italian Event
The long history of the Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina began on April 3, 1977, after a heavy snowfall. The former Olympic skier Alfredo “Fredy” Dibona suggested to the current President of the Organizing Committee, Herbert Santer, to do a cross-country race, and since then, numerous groups of sportsmen and friends from Dobbiaco and Cortina are busy renewing the charm of an event that is not only about sport but also a symbol of the historical and geographical links between the two Dolomite communities of Dobbiaco/Toblach and Cortina.
From 2016 to 2021, Toblach-Cortina was one of the Ski Classics Pro Tour events. From 2024, classic and skating events are joining the Ski Classics Challengers calendar.
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Classic and Skating
The traditional course of the 42km race in classic technique runs along the old Dolomites railway, which was built during the First World War and fell into disuse in 1962. The tracks have become a place for events and sporting activities, thanks to the gentle slope and natural and architectural charm: woods, lakes, bridges, tunnels, and old stations, all surrounded by famous and fascinating Dolomite peaks.
Over the years, various technical needs and the evolution of cross-country skiing have led to the transfer of the finish line to the Cortina bus station area and the inclusion of a new race on the calendar. Since 2007, the Granfondo has offered participants a skating race, too. The two races take place on different days, allowing long-distance professional and recreational skiers to participate in both events.
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The Tracks
The 42km classic race follows the former railway, the so-called “Ferrovia delle Dolomiti.” It is unique in its style, passing through two lighted galleries in the middle of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage.
The start is at the military airport of Toblach. After a short detour towards Innichen, the track passes the cross-country ski stadium Nordic Arena of Toblach. Lago di Dobbiaco, the War cemetery, and goes directly into the Höhlensteintal/Val di Landro, near Lago di Landro, the Three Peaks viewpoint, and Carbonin.
Passo Cimabanche is the highest point of the course, with 1.529 meters of altitude, and from there, the tracks go downwards to Ospitale and finally finish at Cortina d’Ampezzo town center – Old Station Square.
Since 2020, the 35km skating race’s direction also goes from Toblach to Cortina d’Ampezzo, with a slightly different and shortened track. After the start, it goes directly to the Nordic Arena and follows the old railway line to the finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo – Old Station Square.
The Local Organizing Committee is pleased to be joining the Ski Classics Challengers circuit:
“The Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach Cortina has been taking place since 1977 and is one of the most popular ski marathons in the Alps. We are very proud to organize a high-level sporting event every year, suitable for both amateurs and top athletes. For us to wear the Ski Classics logo – synonymous with quality – is a further motivation to propose two exciting top-level races,” says Organizing Committee President Herbert Santer, and adds:
“Dobbiaco and Cortina d’Ampezzo are tourist and sports destinations; our two valleys, at the foot of the Dolomites UNESCO – heritage site, have made hospitality a trademark, and the many sporting events that take place here, carried forward with the collaboration of hundreds of volunteers, are seen as flagships by people living here.”
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More information about the event and registrations can be found HERE.
GRANFONDO DOBBIACO/TOBLACH – CORTINA
- Date: February 3 and 4, 2024
- Place: Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Country: Italy
- Race distance: 42km and 35km
- Technique: Classic and Skating
- Website: Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina
- Facebook: Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina
- Instagram: Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina
- Registration: Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina
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As the Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina events are Ski Classics Challengers events, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders.
A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2023/2024 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.
Everyone participating in Ski Classics, Pro Tour or Challengers events, professional and recreational skiers, can connect their profile to the results database of Ski Classics, called MyPages.
MyPages can be connected when subscribing to Ski Classics online community proxcskiing.com. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.
One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live updated international ranking, unique in combining women and men, professional and recreational skiers in one single list.
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Become a MEMBER HERE
As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site, including logging in to SC MyPages, where you can check your SC Ranking. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries.
When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.
Register HERE as a Member.
Top Photo: Newspower.it
