Nestled in the small village of Molina, along the final 5 kilometers of the iconic Marcialonga racecourse, lies Hotel Ancora – a place steeped in history, tradition, and perhaps even a touch of magic.

For over two decades, this unassuming hotel has been the home base for the Aukland brothers, and now the tradition continues with Team Ragde Charge. Since their first stay in 2003, the team’s connection to the hotel has coincided with extraordinary success: 11 victories and 20 podiums in the valley of Val di Fiemme.

“There must be some magic about Hotel Ancora,” Jørgen Aukland reflects to Proxcskiing.com.

A Chance Beginning and Unbreakable Traditions

The story begins in 2003 when Jørgen first stumbled upon Hotel Ancora. As Jørgen explains, the decision to stay there was entirely serendipitous.

“We ended up there by chance, and it was like a really, really good match with Paolo, the owner. In the first 10 years, his father, who had done the Marcialonga a couple of times, was part of the tradition. Every morning, around 4:30 a.m., he’d walk through the hotel playing harmonica, knocking on doors with the Marcialonga anthem.”

The unique atmosphere created by the Hotel Ancora family made the team feel at home. That initial stay set the stage for an enduring relationship between the team and the hotel, marked by rituals that quickly became staples of their race preparation.

One such tradition started on a jog through the village. “We passed this small hairdresser two days before the race and decided to get haircuts there,” Jørgen recalls. “They didn’t speak English or German, so we just pointed at a magazine. The result was really short hair – and I won that year. Since then, it’s been part of our superstition. I’ve been going back every year.”

A Legacy of Success

The results speak for themselves. Jørgen himself claimed four Marcialona victories during their 22-year run, while his brother Anders secured two. Simon Østensen added one more, Tord Asle Gjerdalen delivered three, and most recently, Andreas Nygaard brought home the latest victory in 2025.

For Nygaard, the win was particularly sweet. It marked his first victory at the Marcialonga after ten attempts, during which he had consistently finished in the top 10 and landed on the podium twice. This eleventh attempt was something special. Andreas delivered a powerful display on the final stretch.

Nygaard’s achievements are remarkable. With 20 Ski Classics victories, including four Birkebeinerrennet wins and two Vasaloppet titles, he’s firmly cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.

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The Magic of Molina

The team’s connection to Molina extends beyond Hotel Ancora. In 2014/2015, Jørgen, Anders, and Tord Asle Gjerdalen were named honorary ambassadors of Molina by the local governor.

“It was a big, official thing,” Jørgen recalls. “We walked with lots of people to the townhouse, went on stage, and received a diploma. There were bands playing, and it was such an honor to represent the village.”

When quizzed on the future, one thing is clear: the traditions will continue. “Of course, I’ll get another haircut next year,” he laughs. It is a little bit of superstition that keeps the magic alive.

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