Ski Classics, the long distance championship across Europe, consists of the 7 most prestigous long distance ski races.The seven races are: Jizerska Padesatka, Marcialonga, Konig Ludwig Lauf, Tartu, Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet, and The Ski Classics Final Norefjell. On Sunday,the 29th of January, all the best long distance cross-country skiers in the world will be ready for Marcialonga on the start line in Moena, Italy.
The race begins with 18km uphill to Canazei before in turns around and go 45km downhill to the village of Molina, there it turns once again uphill and at 3km left to the finish the skiers reach the notorious climb of Cascata. There are two Ski Classics sprints in Marcialonga, one after 18km in Canazei and the second after 55km in Lago di Tesero, located in the ski stadium of Val di Fiemme World Championships 2013.
The current leader in the Ski Classics Champion competion Stanislav Rezac, Patria Direct Team and in the women class Sara Svendsen, Team Xtra Personell will of course be in front trying to defend their yellow jerseys. However last years Marcialonga winners Jerry Ahrlin, TeamXtra Personell, and Seraina Boner, Team Exspirit, will be focused to get their hands of the yellow bibs.
Jerry Ahrlin, is also the current leader of the green Ski Classics Sprint jersey. Other favorites on Sunday are: Oskar Svärd, Team Exspirit, Jörgen Brink , Team United Bakeries, the Aukland brothers Anders and Jörgen and of course the well experienced long distance rookie Petter Northug jr from Team United Bakeries. In the women class the two Team Exspirit athletes Jenny Hansson and Susanne Nyström will try to reach Cavalese first, as well as Valentina Shevchenko, Skinfit Racing team and the current pink jersey holder Laila Kveli from Team Xtra Personell, leading the women youth competition. Team Xtra Personell also holds the men pink bib by Stian Remseth Andresen and the Ski Classics team competition where each teams two best men and single best female are counted.
Source: SkiClassics