Dario Cologna and Nathalie von Siebenthal are the big winners of the 51st Engadin Ski Marathon. The two Swiss drove the race from start to finish. Cologna won in the sprint and in a new record time — from Siebenthal by almost one minute. Cologna ran the last eight kilometers on a broken ski and Curdin Perl was the “gentleman of the day.”
The field of 51. Engadin Ski Marathon It was more heavily staffed than ever before, and the horrendous pace among the men separated the wheat from the chaff early on. The victim from a Swiss perspective was last year's winner Roman Furger, who was unable to keep up. Dario Cologna was also somewhat surprised by the fast pace in the first phase and fell behind. However, he fought his way back and remained very active in the lead from then on, which continued to push the pace.
The decision began in Stazerwald. In addition to Cologna, the young Davos Cédric Steiner also appeared in a top group of nine, who harmonized well and kept the pace high. Shortly before La Punt, there was a terrible moment when Dario Cologna fell. But he was able to find the connection again immediately.
Cologna wins with a broken ski
“After the fall, my ski broke and I was happy that both poles were still whole,” Cologna told the media. “But I had to give everything else too; there were some of the best skaters from the World Cup in the field.”
Cologna had words of praise for Cédric Steiner, who finished fifth: “Cédric ran a great race, he actively worked in the group.”
Norwegian Anders Glöersen had spared himself a bit. The winner from 2014 and runner-up from 2018 turned the home straight with Cologna, Jean-Marc Gaillard and Clément Parisse. Cologna spurted irresistibly and claimed his fourth victory in a new record time. Behind him, Gaillard, Glöersen, Parisse and Steiner classified themselves within just one second.
For the first time, the Engadin Ski Marathon was part of the long distance series Visma Ski Classics and was broadcasted live on television in numerous countries. Some of the top Visma athletes successfully presented themselves. The Norwegians Chris Andre Jespersen and Petter Eliassen were part of the top ninth group and finished seventh and eighth.
“A gentleman out of the blue”
The women had started five minutes ahead of the men for the first time so as not to be carried away by the men's field. The innovation proved successful, the women's race was more attractive and was easy to follow. Nathalie von Siebenthal lived up to her favorite role. She was very active right from the start and never left a doubt that she wanted to win her first Engadin right away.
When she was overtaken by the first men ahead of St. Moritz, she kept up cleverly and was able to gain an advantage of almost half a minute as far as Pontresina. She then crossed the airfield level near Samedan alone between two groups of men and lost almost the entire advantage again.
“That was the hardest phase of the race,” she said after the race. The rescue came in the person of Curdin Perl. Together with Wolfenschiesser Christian Stiebler, the Engadin ran to the finish line together with von Siebenthal. In her slipstream, the Bernese Oberlander was able to extend her lead to 59 seconds. “Curdin was like a gentleman who came out of the blue,” von Siebenthal laughed at the finish line.
Pontresina is a new center for the Engadin
With regard to the next event, the organizers were able to announce an important innovation. Die Municipality of Pontresina is increasing its commitment to the Engadin Ski Marathon and plans to improve the finish infrastructure for the half marathon and the Engadin night run.
“We are clarifying whether we could build a kind of stadium,” Mayor Martin Aebli told the media. “The municipalities have been the most important partners of the Engadin Ski Marathon for 51 years. It is wonderful that Pontresina is now getting even more involved,” said managing director Menduri Kasper.
As part of the strategic partnership, the Marathon Village will also move to Pontresina in 2020 with the issue of start numbers. “We have in mind a kind of folk festival in the center of the village,” said Mayor Aebli.
14,200 participants had started the 51st Engadin Ski Marathon. For the second time after the anniversary in 2018, the run sold out early. Registration for 2020 was already reopened on Sunday afternoon.
The Engadin Ski Marathon is the largest cross-country skiing event in Switzerland and the second largest in the world. Christian Gartmann has been media manager for the event since 2014. He also supports the organizer in communication and crisis management.