VISMA SKI CLASSICS SHOW IN LIVIGNO. OPENER OF A SEASON FULL OF STARS

Everything is ready for Visma Ski Classics and "Sgambeda", the long-distance challenge can now begin. The 15 km Pro Team Prologue men in classic technique will start tomorrow, 30th November at 12 pm in the Cross Country Stadium in Livigno (Italy); the 15 km women race in classic technique is scheduled at 2 pm. Amateurs will be the protagonists on the following day, with the start of the "Sgambeda" in free technique at 11 am on a 30 km track. But that’s not all; even young cross-country skiers will have the chance to enjoy a night event in free technique organised at 5 pm at the Cross Country Stadium.

On Sunday 2nd December, there will be the second and last Visma Ski Classics race in Livigno: at 9.30 am the 30 km Individual Prologue women in classic technique and at 11 am the 30 km Individual Prologue men always in classic technique. The Visma Ski Classics season will be full of stars. Sweden’s Britta Johansson Norgren is undoubtedly the favourite considering that last year she won seven races in a row before controlling her advantage and winning the title. Her main rival will be the usual Katerina Smutna, winner of the season 2016 and second just behind Norgren in the last two seasons. In the battle for the throne, she was accompanied by Astrid Øyre Slind, who is constantly improving as well as Lina Korsgren, winner of the last Vasaloppet, the most historic and prestigious ski-marathon of the circuit. Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes is the outsider and can’t be underestimated, also thanks to an excellent summer preparation on roller skis. The 'loose cannon' of the season will be Justyna Kowalczyk who could really be the spoilsport with her rich list of trophies, if she decided to take part in all the races. The Olympic gold medal winner Anna Haag will also take part in the race.

Among the men, Andreas Nygaard in Livigno can make use of his qualities as a sprinter, especially in the last part of the race, where the fight gets tougher. Tord Asle Gjerdalen is the king of double poling and three times winner of Marcialonga; only few are able to keep up with him, but this time he will have to deal with many really frightening competitors. Morten Eide Pedersen is the veteran, and tenancy is his strength, Ilya Chernousov –Olympic bronze medallist – is definitely one of the favourites, while Petter Eliassen comes back after a year of stop and will be the real unknown of Visma Ski Classics, starting from the first stage in Livigno. In the Little Tibet, however, the first appointment is dedicated to the teams; the Team Ragde Eiendom changes its face but not its favourites, just as Lager 157 Ski Team led by Norgren. Among the other teams there are the Czech Ed System Bauer Team, which is named after the cross-country skier Lukas Bauer, trying to take a step forward getting a place on the podium, the Team Koteng, which boasts a group of good athletes, and finally the Team Trentino Robinson Trainer trained by Bruno Debertolis and led by 'captain' Mauro Brigadoi, always ready to surprise.