2017 Südtirol Moonlight Classic goes this weekend

There are now just a few days to go to the start of the 11th edition of the Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi, which takes place on February 10th at Compaccio in Italy’s Alto Adige region. As expectations rise regarding other elite entries, all eyes are on Mauro Brigadoi in the men’s category and German Monique Siegel in the women’s. As its name suggests, the race takes place by the light of the full moon. Starting at 20:00, it will now be split into 15 and 30 km routes as originally planned. Competitors will race using the classic technique.

The night of February 10 next looks set to be bathed in the splendid light of a full moon as the 11th edition of the Moonlight Classic gets underway on Alpe di Siusi. The cross-country skiing event takes place by night against the spectacular backdrop of Europe’s largest plateau with entrants racing using the classic technique.

By the light of the silvery moon
Moonlight reflected off the gleaming white mantle of snow covering the race route makes the atmosphere in Alpe di Siusi wonderfully romantic and will certainly be appreciated by the 300 cross-country skiers expected to be lining up at the start. Thanks to recent heavy snowfalls, the Südtirol Moonlight Classic will take place over the original routes (15 km and 30 km) scheduled, starting and finishing from the cross-country skiing centre at Compatsch.
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Champions**
It will be a starry-starry night indeed, thanks to the presence at the start of some of the big names in the international cross-country skiing world. The men’s line out will include 25 year old classic technique specialist Mauro Brigadoi, who skis for Team Futura which is based in Lavis in neighbouring Trentino. Brigadoi will be chasing another prestige win to add to his already impressive tally. He will also be looking to make good after losing out to last year’s Moonlight Classic winner, Czech Stanislav Rezac, at the Pustertaler Ski Marathon a few weeks back.
The women’s classification will include the very strong 28 year old German cross-country skier Monique Siegel, who has a whole slew of plaudits to her credit, not least a bronze medal in the Junior World Championships in 2009 and five national titles between 2010 and 2014.

More than 300 entries
Over 300 athletes representing 10 different nations are expected on Alpe di Siusi next weekend, attesting to the growing international prestige of this classic night-time event as the moonlit cross-country skiing experience continues to prove hugely popular with both amateur and professional skiers alike.

Info: http://www.moonlightclassic.info