Winter was back during the 44th edition of the Engadin Skimarathon! After the warm temperatures last week, and even +7 degrees in Oslo (NOR) during the 50km classic race this weekend on the famous Holmenkollen, the -6°C at the start on the lake in Maloja (1820m) felt pretty chilly. After cold nights and some fresh snow on Monday, the conditions for this 44th edition of the Engadin Skimarathon were perfect. The lakes had at least 40cm of ice on which a wide track was perfectly groomed for the more than 10.000 starters. Having passed the first sprint in St.Moritz, the field settled in and soon a group of 30 to 50 racers became the leading pack. At La Punt, it was the French Louis Deschamps who tried to break away but was caught only some kilometres away from the finish. He had to pay for his attack and finished 33rd in the end.

Even though the record time of 1h24min was not reached, this year's race was pretty fast. After 1h31min21sec, the winner was crowned! However, it was a close match between Roman Furger (SUI), who finally had some centimetres advantage, and his colleague and local hero Curdin Perl (SUI). Third became Cristian Zorzi from Italy, who could climb on the podium for the first time this season.

Not long after the men did the first women come into the finish. Leading already several times during the race but having been interrupted by a broken pole, Anouk Faivre-Picon (FRA) could finally make her move and finish first in front of the two Swiss girls Seraina Boner from Davos and Natascia Leonardi Cortesi.

Perfect sunshine followed the racers the 42km from Maloja to S-chanf. Only after the first were in the finish, the clouds came in, however leaving always some wholes for the sun to shine on the racers who were still on the track

> Press realase "44th Engadin Skimarathon 2012 (pdf)