The Gsiesertal Lauf is not only a well-known and much-loved race amongst beginners: Pros of the skiing world have always been enthusiastic participants in the event, and no fewer than 7 Olympic champions appear on the roll of honour.
Representing Italy are Silvio Fauner, Giorgio Di Centa and Christian “Zorro” Zorzi, together with Norway’s Ole Einar Björndalen and Anders Aukland, Eugeny Demetiev from Russia and, in the women’s category, Justyna Kowalczyk from Poland. “World Skier of the Century” Bjorn Daehlie from Norway and Kazakh Olympic champion have also skied the Gsiesertal Lauf, but didn’t manage to take the victory.
For the regular skiers of the world, competing in a race alongside superstars of this calibre is a special experience indeed.
A number of top athletes will also be participating in this year’s Gsiesertal Lauf. With many national teams having chosen South Tyrol as their final training lands for the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica, some of them (particularly team skiers from Norway, Germany and Italy) will race the “Gsieser” as their final training challenge.
At long last, we are also hopeful for the first-ever Italian victory in the woman 42km classic race. Ever since the classic race was first held in 2010, the winners have always been from other countries, namely GER (4 wins), (4 Siege), RUS (2), CZE (2), SWE(1), POL (1), AUT (1) and NOR (1).