The 30th «Sellaronda» is won by
Oberbacher-Drion and De Silvestro-Murada
The 30th «Sellaronda Skimarathon» edition celebrated Alex Oberbacher, (South Tyrol) and Maximilien Drion (Belgium), who wrote their names in the hall of fame of the well known ski-mountaineering marathon known for its night time action in couples. The two managed to keep behind them Davide Magnini and Michele Boscacci the two athletes who represent the ‘Centro Sportivo Esercito’ (army) who on the eve of the race were considered the favourites. To then complete the podium was the Austrian duo: Jakob Hermann and the rising star Paul Verbnjak.
The race, which saw 568 couples step on the starting line (1136 athletes in total), started off at 6 pm in Canazei, location even of the finish line after 42 kilometres and 2.700 metres of vertical height gain. The ski-mountaineers tackled the ascents towards Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo and Passo Pordoi in sequence, passing through the villages of Selva Gardena, Corvara and Arabba.
Davide Magnini who established himself last year together with Matteo Eydallin, raced in this occasion with another team mate, and member of the Italian national team: Michele Boscacci, who stepped on the starting line in physical conditions which were far from perfect, just back from the flu. The athlete from Vermiglio in Trentino and the much decorated champion from Albosaggia set off with their foot pressing hard on the accelerator, passing by Passo Sella ahead of the pack, twenty metres apart one from the other. Right behind them the young Austrian Verbnjak tried to keep up with the two Italians, but his sparring partner Jakob Hermann – at his career’s last race – was forced to let go of the intensity leaving space for the lively Alex Oberbacher and Maximilien Drion.
The athlete from South Tyrol, second in the last two editions (in 2023 together with William Boffelli and in 2022 together with Davide Magnini) has proved to have a great condition, excellently supported by the Belgian athlete Drion. The two raced in progression, and taking advantage of the cramps which forced Boscacci to slow down, they managed to catch the two Esercito athletes at Passo Campolongo, therefore overtaking them near the transition area at Arabba, consequently grasping a prestigious victory, winning with a time of 3h04’03”. The defending champion Magnini and Boscacci nonetheless gained an honourable second place coming in with 1 minute 41 seconds behind the winners, while the Austrians Verbnjak and Hermann came third at 5’24”.
In the female race the scene was dominated by the two Italian girls Alba De Silvestro and Giulia Murada. The athlete from Veneto who last year had won together with Elena Nicolini from Trentino, allowed herself to repeat the victory, while for Murada this was the first time on the «Sellaronda Skimarathon’s» highest step of the podium, participating for her first time. The ladies from Belluno and Valtellina, fresh from their fine second place at the Pierra Menta, were the leading characters of a long triumphant race, which ended with a time of 3h39’45”. Second place for the Austrian athletes who leading up to the event were considered favourites, Sarah Dreier and Johanna Hiemer, who repeated their result from 12 months ago. A new silver medal for them lagging 3’23” behind the winners.
Finally in the mixed team category, it was victory for husband and wife Martin Anthamatten and Viktoria Kreuzer, who clocked the 20th fastest time overall (3h38’32”).
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