Vesterheim and De Martin Topranin win 12th Moonlight Classic

Offiicial event Press Release:

VESTERHEIM AND DEMARTIN DOMINATE 2018 MOONLIGHT CLASSIC ALPE DI SIUSI

The Norwegian Magnus Vesterheim is the winner of 30 kilometres route of the 12th Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi; on the podium Stanislav Rezac/CZE and Petter Soleng Skinstad/NOR. In the female race, success of Virginia Demartin/ITA on Lucia Scardoni/ITA and Monique Siegel/GER.
The winners of the 15 kilometres are Giulia Stuerz / ITA and Julian Brunner / ITA.
More than 400 cross-country skiers from 15 nations entered.

Two routes, one 15 and the other 30 kilometres long, were lent a romantic glow by the full moon riding high in the sky and a thousand or so torches marking out the way for the 400-plus cross-country skiers competing in the 12th Südtirol Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi, a fantastic and truly unique night-time race that unfolds against the spectacular backdrop of the Alpe di Siusi and Europe’s largest plateau.

The longer route - 30 kilometres with a 550-metre elevation change – was won, however, by the Norwegian Magnus Vesterheim, followed over the line by the Czech Stanislav Rezac and the other Norwegian Petter Soleng Skinstad. In the women’s grouping, the Italian Virginia De Martin Topranin took the top honours with the teammate Lucia Scardoni taking second place and the German Monique Siegel third position.

The winner on the 15-kilometre route, which involves a 220-metre elevation change, was the Italian Julian Brunner who crossed the line five seconds ahead of the Czech Svarc Martin. The third step on the podium, on the other hand, went to the Italian Christian Niederkofler. The first of the women to finish the Italian Giulia Stuerz who crossed ahead of the Italian Antonella Confortola with the Czech Tereza Hujerov in third.

Another successful outing for the Moonlight Classic that once again confirmed its prestige in the xc ski marathon. Thanks to reach snowfalls and the perfect condition of the routes, entries topped the 400 mark with 15 nations represented, attesting to the international draw of the Alpe di Siusi which continues to attract cross-country ski enthusiasts from abroad.

The Moonlight Classic also kept its promises in terms of its emotional impact, proving a unique and unforgettable experience both for the athletes competing and all those who turned out to watch.

**RESULTS

Men’s Classification (30-kilometre route)**
1. Magnus Vesterheim (NOR) - 1:21.55,2
2. Stanislav Rezac (CZE) - 1:21.57,7
3. Petter Soleng Skinstad (NOR) - 1:21.58,2
**
Women’s Classification (30-kilometre route)**
1. Virginia De Martin Topranin (ITA) - 1:34.18,8
2. Lucia Scardoni (ITA) - 1:36.08,8
3. Monique Siegel (GER) - 1:38.25,0
**
Men’s Classification (15-kilometre route)**
1. Julian Brunner (ITA) - 40.51,0
2. Svarc Martin (CZE) - 40.56,7
3. Christian Niederkofler (ITA) - 41.00,0

Women’s Classification (15-kilometre route)
1. Giulia Stuerz (ITA) - 47.58,1
2. Antonella Confortola (ITA) - 48.01,3
3. Tereza Hujerov (CZE) - 48.23,3

*For further information: www.moonlightclassic.info