Beautiful weather and perfect slope conditions - already in the early morning hours over 11’000 participants got ready for the upcoming 41. Engadin Skimarathon. At 8.40 a.m. the elite group tackled the track of 42.2 km. Favourites were Marco Cattaneo (ITA), the leader of the FIS Marathon Cup, Curdin Perl (SUI) as well as Jerry Ahrlin (SWE). Seraina Mischol (SUI) as well as the leader of the FIS Marathon Cup Jenny Hansson (SWE) promised an interesting women’s race. After a breathtaking finish sprint Fabio Santus (ITA) won in a time of 1:38.37 ahead of Marco Cattaneo (ITA) and Curdin Perl (SUI). The women’s race won Seraina Mischol (SUI) in a time of 1:43.32 and with a clear lead of more than 3 minutes over Hilde Pedersen (NOR) and Susanne Nyström (SWE).

Already early in the morning about 11’000 participants got ready for the upcoming race. The weather was beautiful and the slopes were in perfect conditions. At 8.40 a.m. the elite group started. Favourites were the local Curdin Perl (SUI), the leader of the FIS Marathon Cup Marco Cattaneo (ITA) and Jerry Ahrlin (SWE). Seraina Mischol (SUI), the leader of the FIS Marathon Cup Jenny Hansson (SWE) and the winner of this years’ women race Natascha Leonardi Cortesi (SUI) promised an interesting race.

While the leading group moved towards S-chanf with high speed, in Maloja thousands of cross country skiing fans from more than 30 different countries started to their race.

Already after a few kilometres a leading group of about 250 athletes, headed by Sergey Shiriaev (RUS) and Marco Cattaneo (ITA) could distance themselves. Part of it also were the first women such as Hilde Pedersen (NOR) and Elodie Bourgeois (FRA). At km 17 Sergey Shiriaev attacked and could gain about 200 meters advance from his pursuers Curdin Perl (SUI), Tullio Grandelis (ITA), Jerry Ahrlin (SWE) and Christophe Perrillat (FRA). Only a few minutes after the leading men the first woman Seraina Mischol (SUI) passed Pontresina (Km 21), followed by Hilde Pedersen (NOR), Elodie Bourgeois (FRA), Natascia Leonardi Cortesi (SUI) and Ursina Badilatti (SUI). The leader Sergey Shiriaev (RUS) could maintain his position for many kilometres, but had much pressure from his pursuers such as Fabio Santus (ITA), Curdin Perl (SUI) and Marco Cattaneo (ITA). A few kilometres before the finish they attacked and Marco Cattaneo (ITA) could take over the lead, followed by Curdin Perl (SUI) and Fabio Santus (ITA). A breathtaking finish sprint followed: Fabio Santus (ITA) seemed to have the most power left and won the race in a time of 1:38.37, ahead of Marco Cattaneo (ITA) and Curdin Perl (SUI). Seraina Mischol (SUI) attacked on half way down and reached the finish line in a time of 1:43.32 with a big advance of about 3 minutes ahead of Hilde Pedersen (NOR) and Susanne Nyström (SWE).

Also the second half marathon was very successful. This race offers also to the younger athletes an interesting challenge. Janis Lindegger (Yr. 1993) from Davos Dorf reached the finish line as winner in a time of 55.24,9, ahead of Linard Kindschi (Yr. 1993) from Ftan and Clyde Engel (Yr. 1992) from St-Blaise. The juniors’ women’s race won Irene Cadurisch (Yr. 1991) from Maloja in a time of 1:00.19. Second was Gaëlle Hudry Clergeon (Yr. 1992) from Le Grand Bornand and third was Sara Stoffels (Yr. 1992) from Appenzell.

Until 4 p.m thousands crossed the finish line in S-chanf.

Engadin Skimarathon
08.03.2009
www.worldloppet.com

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