STARS, MINI AND YOUNG: WHAT A SHOW!

Today at the XC skiing arena of Lago di Tesero (Italy) Marcialonga Stars, Mini and Young
Marcialonga Stars celebrates with Simoni, Fondriest, Cassani, Nones, Wyatt and Molinari
Over 500 young competitors for the Minimarcialonga; the victory of Marcialonga Young goes to Lorenzetti and Widholm
Tomorrow the 44th Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa


The young, solidarity and mutual help are the distinctive features that may turn the world into a better place for the future and for this reason Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa decided to celebrate today at the XC skiing arena of Lago di Tesero (Trentino region, Italy) these important notions with the Marcialonga Stars, Minimarcialonga and Marcialonga Young events. This spectacular day represented the best prelude to the 44th Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa, starting tomorrow at 8.55 a.m. with élite ladies form Mazzin.
The first event held today under a beautiful sun was the charity event Marcialonga Stars, which saw VIPs and common competitors participate in the race with skis, snowshoes and even with dogs with bibs. A procession of VIPs including several famous former cyclists such as Gilberto Simoni: “Marcialonga is more than just a sports event; it is a tradition for the valleys of Fiemme and Fassa with a long history and these appointments are just an example. People take part in the Marcialonga Stars in order to support LILT (the Italian association for the fight against cancer) and research in this field”.
His words are reiterated by Davide Cassani, the manager of the Italian national road cycling team: “It is an extremely important initiative, I am ready to ski under this beautiful sun: Marcialonga brings enthusiasm and involves thousands of people”.
For Maurizio Fondriest: “The goal is noble: Supporting those who try to improve the lives of people who suffer and need help”. The head of ACSI Ciclismo Emiliano Borgna added: “The first year of collaboration between ACSI and Cycling Craft was extremely successful, I love Marcialonga and I am glad to express my support by taking part in charity events like this, which are very important for our association”.
From the legends of cycling races to the local legend of cross country skiing, Franco Nones: “LILT and Stars are a perfect combination, many people want to participate and this is certainly a positive thing”.
Representatives of local authorities were also present, starting from Luca Zeni, provincial councillor responsible for health and social politics: “I took part in Marcialonga several times, but not this year as I haven’t had the opportunity to train. I am here to send a message to the young: physical activity is important”. The provincial councillor Pietro De Godenz added: “This important solidarity event perfectly matches with an exciting sports event like Marcialonga, which has all the ingredients for success: the involvement of young skiers, the revival event, the charity event, to conclude with the mythical Marcialonga”.
At the start there were also Jonathan Wyatt and Antonio Molinari, two mountain running champions and their presence certainly made LILT chairman, Mario Cristofolini, happy: “A balanced diet is of paramount importance; we need to eat healthy food and do physical activity, too many young children are overweight nowadays”.
As to the “competitive” Marcialonga Stars, the victory went to Johnny Binelli, who passed Lorenzo Delladio just before the finish line. Franco Torresani won among competitors with snowshoes, and finally able to defeat Antonio Molinari, whereas Lolina Savorana won the running contest on a 1.5 km track.
Marcialonga’s chairman Angelo Corradini then gave the start to the prestigious Minimarcialonga, held for the 32nd time, with over 500 young skiers at the start: “There will just one winner and the last classified but no final standing; if someone falls, you will have to wait for him/her; don’t act like champions and you’ll become champions”. A great day for all participants, especially for Andrea Gos and Annalisa Varesco, who won.
Marcialonga Young (“Ragazzi” category), organised in collaboration with U.S. Cornacci, saw the victories of Giovanni Lorenzetti followed by Gabriele Monteleone and Riccardo Foradori, and by Alice Widholm, followed by Alessia Togni and Valentina Merler.
Tomorrow it will be the great day, the day of the queen of international XC skiing marathons, the most beloved one.