Lagorai Cima d’Asta, 10.3.2013
The weather, mainly fog and light rain combined with rising avalanche danger, in the days running up to the Lagorai Cima d’Asta Ski Mountaineering Race lead many to think it might be cancelled, and indeed a few of the competitors coming from Austria as part of a ‚twinning‘ with the Hohe Tauern Trophy called to cancel because of this. However, after the World Cup cancellation of 2012 due to lack of snow, the heavens decided to be kind .At the start area in Val Malene, Tesino the mist of Sunday morning evaporated to reveal stunning scenery and mountains covered with 20cm of fresh snow.
Although more than 300 athletes registered, ‘only’ 252 set off from the starting point in Malga Sorgazza 1435m, all of them followed approximately 2.5km of forest track. The 65 Junior and Cadets then followed a small rising valley up to 2117m and a descent in fresh snow. The highest point reached was 2280m with the final descent having a vertical drop of 845m. The winning cadet, Davide Magnin ( current WChamp) crossed the line just ahead of the winning Junior. The success of the Cadets was also reflected by Giulia Compagnoni, who crossed the line well ahead of the first Junior F.
The Seniors faced an even tougher challenge covering a distance of approximately 15km and 1700m of vertical rise, but due to the high avalanche danger the actual peak of Cima d’Asta was left out. The male winner Lorenzo Holznecht, described the race as being ‘beautiful and technical’. Second place was taken by the Slovenian, Nejc Kuhar. The female race was dominated by Mireia Miro from Spain who came in more than 10 minutes ahead of her closed adversary, Francesca Martinelli. Mireia also complimented the technicality of the race and the fantastic scenery. All the racers seemed very satisfied, and most appreciative of the race. Even the penultimate racer Yilmuz Unal, Senior master from Turkey in his first race abroad and coming in over 3 hours behind the winner was totally elated with his achievement.
Austrian team members :
13th BRUGGER Philipp 1:56:46 0:13:59 AUT
14th ISLITZER Martin 1:57:02 0:14:15 AUT
24th ROHRINGHER Daniel 2:01:59 0:19:12 AUT
Text: Rebecca Vernon
