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Roman Furger snatches victory from Dario Cologna. Nadja Kälin outshines female competition.
It was Dario Cologna's last international race as a professional athlete, driving up expectations ahead of the race: not just the public and the media had banked on his victory, he, too, made it clear from the start that whoever wanted to take the win had to go past him. The realisation came early on that Roman Furger would be one of his most serious contenders. «Roman never ceases to surprise, and when I noticed how energised he was in the Stazerwald, incessantly closing the gaps, I knew I had to watch out.»
The Stazerwald turned out to be decisive for the winner-to-be Roman Furger: «On this stretch, we were able to shake off the strong sprinters, which would make life a bit easier at the finish,» he told the media. And added, «It was a beautiful, fair and peaceful race.» He hadn't taken part in a race since the Olympic Games; what's more, a cold had thwarted his preparation for the ski marathon.
Tom Mancini's third place did not come as a surprise. Many had rated the Frenchman as a medal hopeful; he took an active role during the entire race, never sparing the effort to lead and managing to stay in the group at the front until the end. However, in the final spurt, it turned out to be Roman Furger who could summon up the extra energy, crossing the finishing line ahead of Dario Cologna and Tom Mancini. The history books will not record the new record times that had been anticipated; that would have required more help from the tailwinds, which turned out lighter than predicted.
A surprised winner in the women's race and an emotional Dario Cologna
The winner in the female category expressed surprise at the finishing line: «It was my first 42-kilometre-race ever,» said Nadja Kälin. Moreover, she had come down with Covid-19 following the Olympic Games and was forced to reduce her training intensity. «It was tough going both in the Stazerwald and in Bever, but I still succeeded in holding my position in the leading group throughout.» The young local athlete took the lead in the final spurt and finished first ahead of Céline Chopard and Enora Latuillière from France.
At the awards ceremony, race director Adriano Iseppi gave Dario Cologna a heartfelt farewell, expressing thanks to the athlete from Val Müstair in the name of all Swiss cross-country skiing enthusiasts: «Words fail me to describe your contribution to the sport of cross-country skiing in Switzerland.» Dario Cologna, overcome by the warm words of praise, had tears welling up in his eyes. He would not exclude taking part again in the Engadin Skimarathon in future years, but it would be amiss to hope for a fifth victory, he concluded at the end of the small ceremony in his honour. «The finishing stretch seems to be getting longer every year,» he finished with a grin.
Ideal conditions for the 52nd Engadin Skimarathon, with the sun appearing on the dot of the elite start and tracks in perfect conditions. «I am overjoyed about the outcome of the event,» expressed Menduri Kasper, the organiser's managing director. «The new starting format in waves worked very well and, as we had hoped, managed to ease up tensions in the field. Having participants start in smaller groups sees them in direct competition within groups of comparable strength, reducing the hustle and bustle among the racers. The changes to the route between Pontresina and Samedan proved to be a good choice too.»
52nd Engadin Skimarathon: Maloja – S-chanf, 42 km
Results Women's Race, Overall
1. Kälin Nadja St. Moritz GR 1:46.31,1
2. Chopard Lallier Céline France +1,8
3. Latuillière Enora France +4,0
4. Brocard Elisa France +8,3
5. Boner Seraina Davos Platz GR +1.50,7
6. Meinen Susi Boltigen BE +2.23,3
7. Øyre Slind Silje Norge +3.33,8
8. Löschke Jessica Deutschland +3.52,0
9. Feldman Katie USA +3.52,7
10. Zampa Maria Adele Carona TI +4.33,6
Results Men's Race, Overall
1. Furger Roman Schattdorf UR 1:35.59,5
2. Cologna Dario Davos Dorf GR +1,7
3. Mancini Tom Frane +2,7
4. Baumann Jonas Davos Dorf GR +4,0
5. Gaillard Jean-Marc France +6,1
6. Agnellet Gerard France +11,6
7. Capelli Marino Davos Platz GR +18,4
8. Räz Curdin Sils/Segl Maria GR +26,9
9. Pfäffli Gian Flurin Pontresina GR +1.30,7
10. Perruche Simon France +1.31,0
13. Engadin Halbmarathon: Maloja – Pontresina, 21 km
Results Women's Race, Overall
1. Klimpel Janna Deutschland 56.54,2
2. Rüegg Celia Hinwil ZH +4.29,1
3. Rey Sophie Icogne VS +5.29,8
4. Strecker Teresa Deutschland +6.36,7
5. Arquint Tania Ardez GR +8.20,4
6. Barmettler Daniela Luzern LU +15.54,4
7. Heggli Ruth Root LU +17.02,2
8. Leonardi Nora Zürich ZH +17.56,6
9. Schellenberg Simona Pontresina GR +17.58,2
10. Zala Renata Chur GR +18.09,5
Results Men's Race, Overall
1. Laurent Bastien France 51.00,0
2. Becker Manuel Deutschland +28,3
3. Selter Benjamin Deutschland +1.21,7
4. Krüger Reto Maloja GR +2.54,9
5. Zisler Constantin Illnau ZH +6.03,4
6. Vetsch Robin Ebnat Kappel SG +8.11,8
7. Neumeier Frank Deutschland +9.50,6
8. Fröhlich Mario Chur GR +10.06,2
9. Fankhauser Nils Finsterwald LU +10.24,1
10. Maes Gabriel Vättis SG +10.24,3
The Engadin Marathon Week 2023
22nd Engadin Women's Race: Samedan – S-chanf, 17 km; Sunday, 5 March 2023
37th Youth Sprint: Samedan; Wednesday, 8 March 2023
5th Engadin Night Race: Sils – Pontresina, 17km; Thursday, 9 March 2023
1st St. Moritz Super Sprint: St. Moritz Kurpark; Friday, 10 March 2023
53rd Engadin Skimarathon: Maloja – S-chanf, 43 km; Sunday, 12 March 2023
14th Engadin Half Marathon: Maloja – Pontresina, 21 km; Sunday, 12 March 2023
For further information, contact:
Engadin Skimarathon
Menduri Kasper / Aline Hautle
+41 81 851 60 60
presse@engadin-skimarathon.ch
www.engadin-skimarathon.ch
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