Reschenseerennen is a brand-new addition to the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour taking place on Saturday, January 15, and now the same course will be open to public as well since it will be used for a Challengers event on Sunday, January 16, 2022.
The race is 50 km long, and it has two 25-kilometer laps around the beautiful artificial lake, Reschensee, which is located at 1,498 meters above sea level. There is also a 25-kilometer race with one lap. The race starts and finishes in Graum in Vinschgau following partially the same course that is used for the summer running race.
The charming Vallelunga valley in South Tyrol is situated close to the borders of Switzerland and Austria. The area around Reschensee is a hidden jewel that not many Nordic skiers are aware of, but it offers breathtaking sceneries and the South Tyrolian nature at its best. The atmosphere in the area is captive, and the opportunity to experience something totally new is worth the visit. Before and after the race, a visitor can check out the surrounding small towns and do some shopping at local markets or just enjoy a warm cup of Italian coffee, hot chocolate or mullet wine.
Rechensee is famous for the steeple of a submerged 14th-century church; when the water freezes, this can be reached on foot. A legend says that during winter one can still hear church bells ring. In reality the bells were removed from the tower on July 18, 1950, a week before the demolition of the church nave and the creation of the lake.
The first edition of Reschenseerennen gives the unique opportunity to race in a magnificent scenery never seen before. Starting in Curon at the mysterious tower in the lake the course follows clockwise around the lake passing by smaller villages and providing the participants with impressive views. Thereafter, the course leads to the Austrian borders and back to the lake counting up to 25 km. If one 25 km loop seems too short there is the possibility to compete in the 50 km distance which goes over two loops.
The registrations open today at 14:30 CET. Photo copyright: Benjamin Pfitscher
