On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the Ski Classics Pro Tour continues with Marcialonga. Covering a challenging 70-kilometer course, the event marks the sixth Ski Classics stage and the first Grand Classics event, Season XVI.

The traditional Italian long-distance skiing race, Marcialonga, has been awarded the “Best Event of the Year” in Ski Classics three times, and the 2025 edition will mark Season XVI’s sixth event, the first Grand Classics stage, and their 52^nd edition.

At the forefront of Marcialonga’s appeal lies its distinctive atmosphere and a course that winds through historical villages, leaving an unforgettable mark on skiers. Being the first of the four Grand Classics, Marcialonga is one of the major monuments and most prestigious events to win. After this weekend, we will know who is still in the contest of fulfilling a Grand Slam.

Also Read: Grand Classics Season XVI starts this weekend with Marcialonga

Marcialonga – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 6

• Date: January 26, 2025
• Distance: 70km Classic Technique
• Location: Trentino, Italy
• Start Time: Men 8:00 CET/ Women 8:05 CET
• SC Sprints: 2
  • Canazei: 19km 
  • Predazzo: 45km
• SC Climbs: 1
  • Cascata: 70km (Iconic Climb)
• Website: Marcialonga 
• SC Play: Marcialonga 

More information about Marcialonga can be found HERE and HERE

Marcialonga – Course Map and Profile

HISTORY

Marcialonga was established in 1971 when a group of Italians decided to mirror the world-famous Vasaloppet and create their version of the legend. The event has reached its legendary status as its unique atmosphere and the course that runs through small historical villages are the event’s trademark.

Thousands of participants come from all over the world to enjoy the event. Many skiers consider Marcialonga the most extraordinary long-distance skiing race due to its magical atmosphere, well-run organization, and beautiful surroundings that the course can offer. 

Expect fierce competition in Italy as Pro Team athletes embark on a quest for glory in Marcialonga, the sixth Ski Classics stage, and the first Grand Classics event in Season XVI.

GRAND CLASSICS

The Grand Classics are the four largest and most prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier that wins all four events in the same season completes a Grand Slam. 

During Season XI, the Grand Classics events and the Grand Slam were introduced in Ski Classics. The concept was an immediate success and a great motivation among the best Pro Team athletes of Ski Classics. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing, but it might happen in Season XV.

If you win all four Grand Classics, Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet, in the same season, you complete a Grand Slam.

ICONIC CLIMBS

The Iconic Climbs give some extra spark to the most challenging climbs in Ski Classics. For Season XVI, there will be four Iconic Climbs. The first is Cascata, the last hill up to Cavalese in Marcialonga. 

The Iconic Climb, launched during Season XIV, is a category in the Ski Classics points table. The category is used for the most iconic climbs of Ski Classics. 

The idea for the Iconic Climb category is that all climbs differ; some are tougher, and some have more history behind them. Ski Classics wants to enhance the interest around the climbs and reward the strongest athletes slightly more. 

The Iconic Climb points are 50% higher than a 100% points Climb. Winners get 45 instead of 30 points in the Climb competition. 

For Season XVI, there will be four Iconic Climbs. First, it is up to Cascata, the last hill to Cavalese in Marcialonga. The second Iconic Climb is Raudfjellet, the first long hill in Birkebeinerrennet.

The third is the Orta climb in Reistadløpet, and last but not least is the Magdaskaret Iconic climb, in Summit 2 Senja. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)

Next up is Marcialonga on Sunday, January 26. The 70-kilometer classic race marks the sixth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage and Season XVI’s first Grand Classics event.

Season XVI of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events across 10 event weekends in 6 countries. It started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 13, 2024, with the Pro Team Presentation and ends in Finnsnes, Norway, with the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on March 30, 2025.

• Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
• Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
• Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 11km
• Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 43km
• Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
• Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
• Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

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

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