TORD ASLE GJERDALEN AND BRITTA NORGREN

Fascinating and unique: Marcialonga ski-marathon in Italy's Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa
Tord Asle Gjerdalen keeps behind Petter Eliassen and Stian Hoelgaard
Britta Johansson Norgren wins ahead of  Katerina Smutna and Seraina Boner
Russian Sergey Spirin and Italian Lisa Bolzan first at the Marcialonga Light


Scandinavians in gold at the 43rd Marcialonga held in Italy's Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, today. The Norwegian and last year's winner Tord Asle Gjerdalen did it again and crossed the finish line first ahead of compatriots Petter Eliassen and Stian Hoelgaard. On the women's side, Sweden's Britta Johansson Norgren eventually got rid of Katerina Smutna of Austria and Seraina Boner of Switzerland.
Almost 8.000 participants showed up in Moena this morning and roughly 20 athletes immediately pushed harder than anybody else. All the favourites remained in the leading group for over 65 kilometers and the very last uphill played once again a decisive role. Eliassen, Berdal and Gjerdalen got rid of anybody else and the latter eventually managed to climb up the track faster than the other two. He made his final move in the last 600 meters and triumphantly arrived in Cavalese all by himself. 'I was not supposed to increase the speed that early, but I took the risk and made it in the end. I want to thank all the people working for this event, the snow was incredibly good despite the fact that it was all dry around us'.
Britta Johansson Norgren seized the first Marcialonga in career. 'I'm so tired, the very last part together with Katerina Smutna was overly important. In the last few tens of meters I managed to keep her behind and win, I'm so happy I made it'.
The Light version of Marcialonga, 45 kilometers as a whole, was won by Russian Sergey Spirin and Italy's Lisa Bolzan.
According to athletes, skimen and spectators as well, the OC made some sort of a miracle today in arranging a 70k-long track only with artificial snow from Moena to Cavalese. 'As a single race, I believe Marcialonga is unique and absolutely fantastic – said Gjerdalen – the setting is simply amazing, the people along the track keep cheering you up and the last Cascata uphill is just perfect.'

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