Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, won last year’s edition of the Marcialonga. This Sunday, another edition is taking place, but the Pro Team athlete is uncertain about his form after last weekend’s race.

Emil Persson thought his form was improving after a podium finish at the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon. Instead, Engadin La Diagonela was a tough race where he was not on the top of the results list. After the race, he felt tired.

“I’ve had some bad days after La Diagonela. After 3 Zinnen, I thought my form would get better, but it didn’t. I don’t have high hopes for Marcialonga, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll have a good day and that the team is strong,” says Emil Persson to Langd.se.

How have the days after Engadin La Diagonela been?

“I’ve managed some training sessions. I did a fairly long session yesterday (Tuesday) and then had a rest day today (Wednesday), which I’m hoping will give me a boost. We’ll see in the next few days where I stand before Marcialonga.”

What kind of race do you think it will be?

“I think it will be high paced from the start. They showed last week that if you set a high pace from the start, you can get a good result from it and finish on the podium. It’s going to be an offensive race, simply put,” he says.

Before last year’s edition of Marcialonga, the race directors changed the course of the final uphill section ‘Cascata.’ It was shorter but with a steeper average gradient. Emil thinks the change was successful.

“It was a fair final kilometer last year. We have watched videos from last year, so we are prepared,” he concludes.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com