At the 42nd Engadin Skimarathon the weather and snow conditions were perfect and the elite skiers started at 8.40 a.m. for the 42.2 kilometers from Maloja to S-chanf. Favourites were Olympic champion in Vancouver Dario Cologna (SUI), last year’s winner and leader of the FIS Marathon Cup Fabio Santus (ITA), the as well as other Italians Marco Cattaneo (ITA). Last years winner Seraina Mischol (SUI), Jenny Hansson (SWE), leader of the FIS Marathon Cup, as well as Susanne Nyström (SWE) promised an interesting women’s race. After a breathtaking finish sprint Dario Cologna (SUI) won in a time of 1:36.58 ahead of Daniel Tynell (SWE) and Christophe Perrillat (FRA). The women’s race won Susanne Nyström (SWE) in a time of 1:43.02, ahead of Seraina Mischol from Davos Dorf and the local Selina Gasparin from Samedan.

Already early in the morning the 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 Fabio Santus (ITA), last years’ winner and leader of the FIS Marathon Cup, the Olympic champion Dario Cologna (SUI) as well as Marco Cattaneo (ITA). Last year’s winner Seraina Mischol (SUI), Jenny Hansson (SWE), leader of the FIS Marathon Cup, as well as Susanne Nyström (SWE) promised an interesting women’s race.

While the leading group moved with high speed towards S-chanf, in Maloja 10’500 cross country skiing fans from about 40 different countries started to their race.

Already after a few kilometres a larger leading group made the speed. Also the first women like Susanne Nyström (SWE), Seraina Mischol (SUI) and Natascia Leonardi Cortesi (SUI) were part of this group. In
St. Moritz Dario Cologna (SUI) won the Rossignol-Sprint. The group extended more and more and in La Punt (km 32) a compact elite with about 30 athletes could take over the lead. Part of it were favourites like Fabio Santus (ITA), Daniel Tynell (SWE), second of this year’s Vasaloppet, Dario Cologna (SUI) as well as Christophe Perrillat (FRA), this years winner of the La Transjurassienne.

In a breathtaking finish Dario Cologna (SUI) won the race in a time of 1:36.58 – after his victory at the Olympic winter games he now wins the 42. Engadin Skimarathon. With a lag of two seconds Daniel Tynell (SWE) was second, followed by Christophe Perrillat (FRA). The leader of the FIS Marathon Cup Fabio Santus (ITA) reached despite of an unlucky fall shortly before the finish line the sixth place and herewith keeps the lead of the overall FIS Marathon Cup.

The leading women’s group also showed an interesting race. The young local Selina Gasparin won the Interdiscount-Sprint in La Punt. Shortly before the finish Susanne Nyström could take over the lead and passed the finish line as winner in a time of 1:43.02. She won with an advance of about 42 seconds ahead of Seraina Mischol (SUI) and Selina Gasparin (SUI).

Also the second half marathon was very successful. This race offers also to the younger athletes an interesting challenge. Hudry Clergeon Gaëlle (Jg. 1992) from Le Grand Bornand (FRA) reached the finish line as winner in a time of 57.33,8, ahead of Kohler Tonja (Jg. 1994) from Vättis and Damaso Fabia (Jg. 1994) from Pontresina. The junior’s men race won Rezzonico Matteo (Jg. 1992) from Giubiasco in a time of 1.10,7. Second was Pecher Lukas (Jg. 1992) from Fichtelberg (D) and third was Hammer Reto (Jg. 1992) from Zweisimmen.

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

Once again the organisation committee looks back on a very successful 42. Engadin Skimarathon as well as the 3. Half Marathon. Every year more than 1'600 volunteers guarantee a very successful realisation of this big event.

> Media release: Engadin Skimarathon 2010 (PDF)