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Recent FIS News
Below you will find a listing of recent FIS News
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FIS Marathon Cup gets underway
The FIS Marathon Cup 2012 finally got underway last weekend in Bedrichov (CZE) with the traditional Jizerska 50. Local hero Stanislav Rezac dominated the 50 km classical technique competition in difficult snow conditions. On the ladies' side, Sara Svendsen of Norway was the fastest.
The FIS Marathon Cup launched later than planned due to a lack of snow before Christmas which forced the cancellation of the traditional marathon season opener La Sgambeda in (ITA).
A little break now after the first competition will allow the athletes to regain their strength for two full months of FIS Marathon Cup races. Next up will be the 38th edition of the Dolomitenlauf in Austria, taking place on 22nd January. It features a 60km free technique race set along a valley, starting and finishing in the wonderful town of Lienz in the heart of the Dolomites. Another highly appreciated event is the Dolomitensprint which takes place just days before the "big race". In the center of Lienz, a sprint course is set up to provide a challenging track for all those loving to ski fast, short distances and "man against man".
January will finish with the traditional Marcialonga, a 70km race in classic technique in Trentino, Italy on 29th January. In its 39th edition, parts of the track are now used for as course for the famous FIS Tour de Ski Final Climb, leading from the ski stadium at the Lago di Tesero to Alpe Cermis.
In early February, the FIS Marathon Cup stops in Germany for the 40th edition of the 50km König-Ludwig-Lauf, raced in classic technique, in Oberammergau on 5th February. Starting in Ettal, which is known for its famous monastery, the track passes, weather permitting, château Linderhof which was built by Ludwig II between 1869 and 1886 before finishing in Oberammergau, the town of the world-known "Passion Plays" which are held every ten years.
Moving from Germany to France the weekend after, it's time for the 76km free technique race of La Transjurassienne on 12th February. For the 34th time, this race will be held in the heart of the Jura Mountains and passes two different French "départements", starting in Lamoura which lies in the Jura and finishing in Mouthe, situated in the Doubs. During its 76km, it also passes Chaux-Neuve, known for its annual FIS Nordic Combined World Cup events.
No time to rest after this exhausting race, it's straight to Estonia for the 41st Tartu Maraton and its 63km race in classic technique on February 19th. The start is in the town of Otepää, the host town of the 2011 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships and annual FIS World Cup, and finishes, after a wonderful stretch through the Estonian countryside, in Elva, north of Otepää.
The FIS Marathon Cup then stays in the North of Europe with its next event being held in Finland: The 39th Finlandia Hiihto with its 50km classic technique race in Lahti, takes place on 25th February. Only one week before the whole Nordic World Cup circuit stops in Lahti, the ski stadium will be the start and finish area for the famous event and hopes to encourage over 7000 skiers to ski together. A special long distance cup was created in Finland this year, and naturally Finlandia Hiihto belongs to this eight-event cup.
Next stop for the FIS Marathon Cup: Sweden and its famous Vasaloppet, the prestigious 90km race in classic technique, on 4th March. Already in its 88th edition this year, this high profile event, which starts in Sälen and finishes in Mora, does not need further explanation. A full week of Cross-Country races precedes the main event on Sunday.
Then it's off to Central Europe again, more precisely to Switzerland, for the Engadin Ski Marathon, a 42km race in free technique on 11th March. For the 44th time, the Engadin valley hosts this fantastic cross-country ski event, which welcomes about 12 000 racers each year. Starting in Maloja, it passes Silvaplana, St.Moritz and Pontresina before it finishes in Zuoz / S-chanf.
The FIS Marathon Cup season will finish off with another highlight: The famous Birkebeinerrennet in Norway on 17th March - the 54km skied in classic technique, between Rena and Lillehammer, the latter the host town of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and annual the location for FIS Nordic World Cups. The champions of the FIS Marathon Cup season 2011/2012 will be crowned after finishing the 75th edition of Birkebeinerrennet.
Contributed by Michal Lamplot
(Photo NordicFocus)