With very good weather and snow conditions, Selina Gasparin (Pontresina) won the 15th Engadin Women's Run from Samedan to S-chanf. In the last of 17 kilometers, she overshot the winner in 2012, Antonella Confortola (Italy) and Rahel Imoberdorf (Münster/VS), who paid tribute for their leadership work. Aita Gasparin (Pontresina) was fourth, last year's winner Ursina Badilatti (Poschiavo) tenth. With 1033 finishes for the first time, the women's run set a new record.
Even after the airfield level at Samedan, it was clear that the winner would probably come from a group of 911 with all the favorites. Rahel Imoberdorf, Antonella Confortola and Selina Gasparin were at the helm. When Ursina Badilatti had to have Bever demolished in fourth place, only Aita Gasparin reacted and fought her way back up. In order to help her, her sister Selina risked joining the top herself: “When I realized that Aita was trying to run up, I let myself fall behind a bit.” The risky recipe worked for now. From then on, a group of four with the two female biathletes led the race.
However, after a further increase in pace at Zuoz, Aita Gasparin was no longer able to keep up. She finished fourth overall and won the U20 category. Her sister Selina had cleverly divided up the race and largely refrained from leadership work; after all, she is already running another biathlon World Cup in Slovenia on Thursday. Her strategy worked: “I know the hills between Zuoz and S-chanf like the back of my hand,” the winner smiled at the finish line. “I was able to attack on the last hill and started the descent with more speed.”
Rahel Imoberdorf had to admit defeat even before entering the finish area and finished third 21 seconds behind. The leader up to that point, Antonella Confortola, had nothing more to oppose the irresistible final spurt of the Pontresina biathlon silver medalist in Sochi. She lost 3.1 seconds at the end.
Over 1,000 classifieds for the first time
The winning time of 45,50.1 minutes is not a record time, but an important record was set nonetheless: For the first time, the Engadin Women's Run had over 1,000 finishes, with 1033 women reaching the finish line. “We are very proud of the success of the women's run,” says OC President Ivo Damaso, pleased with the new record. “The slightly less demanding route, the unique atmosphere and the wonderful landscape attract more female runners every year.”
With the Women's Run, the Engadin Ski Marathon Week is off to the right start: Wednesday afternoon is dedicated to youth sprinting, European marathon champion Viktor Röthlin welcomes to the sports symposium on Thursday and the traditional night sprint takes place on Friday. On Sunday, March 9, around 13,000 runners will start the 46th Engadin Ski Marathon due to lots of snow from a changed starting area in Maloja.
Results lists for the 15th women's run
gartmann.biz manages the media operations of the Engadin Ski Marathon.