Dolomitenlauf 2009

January 29, 2009

Dolo 2009 was a good edition!

Two races on Saturday in classic style : a long one (42 km) and a short one (20 km). And two races on Sunday in free style which allowed either skate or classic skiing. Good weather and plentiful snow allowed to the organizers to use their two ski grounds : in Obertilliach (1300 m height) and in Lienz (700 m height)

Saturday : A high mountain environment in Obertilliach, powder snow and warm sun. For the marathon, a run in two environments. At first, 20 km in a magic coil on a hillside in a big snowy field and then a long walk that was more technical in the forest to climb up to the start and finish. Rather hard!
Very good tracks (no problems with waxing : blue hard wax) but not enough food stations the first 20 km.. Stanislas Rezac (1h59m) and Anna Andrieva (2h52m) won the marathon and Thomas Ebner (48m) and Germaine Di Popova (55m) the short race 20 km.

Sunday : The environment changed between Lienz and Nikolsdorf for the free style race. A more typical nordic road, more easy, more speedy. The glide was very good, even in Nikolsdorf. And good tracks for the classic style which is always appreciated. The winners in the long race where Teem Kattilakosti in 2h19m and Anna Andreiva in 2h47m; the short race were won by Isidor Scheuerl in 54m and Nicole Dom Zelleg  in 59m. Maybe because there are not a lot of Austrian skiers (only 50 locals in the classic race and no more that 200 in skating), we where less than thousand skiers each day. It makes it easier to start together in one wave… but the middle skier is quickly alone to wrestle with the difficulties… This year, skiers from Sweden, Norway and Russia were with the Italian neighbors the more numerous.

Good thing: the distances, the warm room near the start on Sunday in Lienz, the meals after the races (various and generous) and the champagne at the WL party on Saturday evening.
Big problem: the bibs delivery was dull and complicated!

Some results from the two days for the long races:

A final suggestion : On the road between Munchen and Lienz by car, you can have lunch in Aurach hotel (two km from Kitzbuhel). Very friendly and famous.

This page was last revised on March 4, 2009