Worldloppet – the current season is surely not an easy one, for nobody. The snow has been playing tricks on numerous races in the past weeks and the lack of snow and the heavy rains have forced different races to cancellation. This is the case of Sapporo International Ski Marathon in Japan and König Ludwig Lauf in Germany that were forced to cancel due to major force the race on the first weekend of February. The only race that could take place was the König Ludwig Lauf SuperSprint on a 100m track taking place on Friday, January 31st seeing a spectacular victory of Italian sprinter Emanuele Becchis over the men and of Coletta Rydzek in the women field.

Cancellation also for la Transjurassienne in the Jura Mountains in France, where the heavy rains and the few snow did not let any other choice. Nevertheless the side program with the Nordic International Fair was maintained, with the joy of visitors.

Similar situation also in Tartu, Estonia, where the Ski Marathon is celebrating the 60th anniversary from the first edition next weekend, 14th-16th of February 2020. The warm temperatures throughout the winter months did not make even snow production possible for the whole track and, as skiing will not be possible, the OC is planning to switch to a hike along the terrain tracks, to commemorate the history of the race.

New user-friendly features on the Worldloppet website

Mild winter has not speared also the Global Calendar races. Some of them were cancelled but some are postponed – the Calendar section on the website had been updated to be as user-friendly as possible and show immediately delays or race-cancellation (Check calendar here). Fortunately all the races in Switzerland and USA has taken place so far. On the February 1st the second standing of the season was published – there are already over 11 000 skier who had scored some points this season. Check out the last standing here https://www.worldloppet.com/global-ranking/

Vasaloppet China: good season start in Asia

Changchun (CHN) - The 18th edition of the Chinese Vasaloppet was held in fantastic winter conditions on Saturday, January 4th in Changchun. Weather was cold in the morning but during daytime the temperatures was up to 8 degrees and the sun warmed everyone up a little bit. It was a great success, with record of participants of 1500! In the men’s race we saw a sprint finish where the strongest man in the sprint was Skogsholm Vinjar followed by 2 Russians (Raul Shakirzyanov and Konstantin Glavatskikh). In the women’s race Marina Chernusova managed to have a clear victory over Polina Kalsina who came second and followed at third place by Ingeborg Dahl.

Dolomitenlauf: back to the city center of Lienz to celebrate 50 years

Lienz (AUT) - The most attended event in Austria has finally come, and the Dolomitenlauf was celebrating this year the special occasion of 50 years history, from the 1970, the year where Robert Steiner decided to start it as a “Dolomiten Vasalauf”. Around 40 the participants to the first edition, but last weekend there were more than 1500 skiers from all over the world in the East-tyroleian town, but the cosy and familiar atmosphere has been maintained from the start. Perfect weather conditions with sunshine is what awaited the participants to the 19th January competition: round 1000 athletes in a „High Speed“-Dolomitenlauf, with perfect tracks. 
Surprise victory by the Norwegian Vinjar Skogsholm, that defined it as the fastest race in its career with a speed of 26km/h, coming to victory after a bad fall of the Italian Sottozero Team members Mauro Brigadoi and Francesco Ferrari that were currently leading on 1st and 2nd place. Following on the podium the Finnish Matti Rasanen and the Czech Stanislav Rezac. On the ladies’ podium the German Melina Schöttes followed by Terhi Pollari and Hanna Nöhmeier.

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Marcialonga 2020: Italian flair never disappoints

Cavalese (ITA) - the 7500 skiers marche across the Italian villages of Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa never disappoints: good atmosphere, best cheering and great experience. Even thought the soft snow falls made the track slower, the expressions on people's faces showed enthusiasm and happiness, what can be asked for more? The weekend was as usual full of events for all-ages-skiers, from Marcialonga Baby until Minimarcialonga and Marcialonga Young, pasing by the revival Marcialonga Story and the charity race Marcialonga Stars. But the most participated event is the Sunday race, won this year by Norwegian Koteng Team Tore Bjoerseth Berdal followed by Tord Asle Gjerdalen and Petter Eliassen that won the previous edition. In te ladie's field victory for Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes, also from Norway, ahead of the other Norwegian Astrid Oeyre Slind and the Swede Lina Korsgren. But the biggest celebration at Marcialonga is always for all other participants and especially for the last one, that is celebrated like a real hero!

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The white side of the season: this weekend’s Jizerska 50 among sunny and snowy landscapes

Bedrichov (CZE) -

There was fear of cancellation or consistent modifications also for the Czech Jizerska 50 in the past weeks: few snow-falls during the current season and the fear to get the already prepared tracks destroyed by the last weeks’ rains. The Organizing Committee had already everything set for plan b – a race in circuits – but this time weather graced them and 3 days of snow, bringing around 80 cm fresh snow in the highest points, saved the situation and guaranteed for a great weekend of events.

Many big protagonists on the track during the weekend, amongst them Czech celebrities Katerina Smutna, Stanislav Rezac and Olympic champion Petter Northug also taking part to Marcialonga and this time present with his brother Even, that captured victory on the final stretch in the 4th edition of Benzina Sprint on Friday night.

Today’s Elite Visma Ski Classics race was very energic and the fight for the podium was intense until the last meter: Norwegian domain of Andreas Nygaard in front of team-mates Oskar Kardin and Petter Eliassen, all from Magnar Dalen’s Team Ragde Eiendom. In the women’s field Swedish victory for Britta Johansson Norgren, followed by Emilie Fleten at her first podium and Lina Korsgren, already 3rd classified at Marcialonga 2020.

Big satisfaction not only in the elite race but above all amongst amateurs, facing the 50km amongst the forest of the Jizera Mountains “Beautiful day, perfect weather, perfect tracks, so happy to be here and to have one more stamp” Henrik, enthusiastic passport holder coming to the race from Germany, and like him, many other show their pride with big smiles on their faces.

This is all from the 2020 Jizerska, Worldloppet gives you appointment next week for the Estonian Tartu Marathon and the Canadian Gatineau Loppet!