In Livigno many champions and the snow ... on the way: registrations for the "Sgambeda" are already flying

Nordic Skiing: All news

Livigno: All information

From 23 October the opening to the cross-country ring thanks to the snowfarming technique. On December 4th, the 31st edition of the great classic.

Monday 4 October 2021 6 minutes reading time

Livigno is still all "green" in the mere meaning of the word. Green because the color of the woods and meadows dominates Little Tibet, "green" because there is great attention to nature and the protection of the environment. The last snowfall of the year dates back to April 19, a splash of two centimeters, but now the peaks that surround Livigno have begun to turn white, a sign that we are slowly approaching the ski season. While waiting for the abundant natural snow, in order to complete the long track that distinguishes the “Nordic” Livigno, as usual, a cross-country skiing ring will be set up shortly. In fact, in the Valtellina area, thanks to snowfarming it is possible to anticipate natural flakes with the use of about 80,000m3 of snow stowed in spring under a particular geothermal sheet, protected by sawdust insulation. It is expected that the ring will be accessible from 23 October, but Livigno is also a training ground in the pre-season for many champions and amateurs, because the preparation at high altitude considerably improves the physical state in view of the performances on narrow skis. At the end of August, for example, the Norwegian cross-country national team led by Klaebo and Johaug trained in Livigno, taking advantage of the cycle path and the paths of the “Little Tibet”. Last week the Italian women's national team also retired, under the orders of coach Renato Pasini, with intense sessions with roller skis and at the Aquagranda sports center. Returning to the events, the date to be marked on the calendar is December 4 with the first Italian cross-country skiing event, the 31st edition of the "Sgambeda", which in fact opens the fourth decade of history, years that have also allowed us to write the history of Italian cross-country skiing. Registrations for the race have just opened and adhesions have already skyrocketed to 200, especially with foreign cross-country skiers grabbing one of the 500 bibs available. For this edition, considering that the anti Covid rules for ski events are not yet very clear and definitive, the organizing committee wanted to establish the maximum limit, in fact, of 500 participants. With the Italians in the entry list, athletes from Holland, Norway, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, United States, France, Russia, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, Sweden, Austria and Belgium make a fine show of themselves. The race is scheduled for a distance of 35 km in free technique, with the traditional track that starts from the cross-country center that skirts Livigno. With the pandemic that forced many cross-country skiers to inactivity last season, the date of December 4th promises to be the first appointment of the season not to be missed. The opportunity to train well in advance, exploiting the potential of Livigno, also represents the opportunity to spend a few days relaxing in the center of Valtellina. For the Sgambeda there is no time to waste. The limit of 500 members remains mandatory and until 31 October the membership fee is set at 50 euros, while from 1 November to 1 December the fee rises to 60 euros. In case of eventual cancellation of the race, an important fact, the organizers will reimburse the entire amount paid. As if to say: "Those who have time do not wait for time".

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