Passo San Pellegrino put on a great show today for the 40th Pizolada delle Dolomiti, the prestigious mountaineer skiing event promoted by Val di Fassa Events a.s.d., in collaboration with Cai Sat and Alpine Rescue, which brings together the best known talents in skinning for a highly technical challenge against a fairy tale background.
Almost 250 contestants including competitive professionals and amateurs lined up for the start. The race featured no less than 5 climbs and 5 descents, including the severe northern canyon of the Forcella Vallazza and the Holzer gulley. The finish line was set up as usual in the square in front of the Col Margherita cable car lift. The first ones to cross the finish line were Guido Giacomelli (Sci Club Alta Valtellina) and Margit Zulian (Bogn Da Nia).
The men’s race was compelling and combative, with Filippo Barazzuol (Team Nuovi Traguardi) firmly in the lead right up to the start of the final kilometre. However, he was slowed down by a technical problem and then nimbly passed by Guido Giacomelli and Filippo Beccari (Bela Ladinia) who vied for victory in a decisive final descent. This is Giacomelli’s second success in the Pizolada delle Dolomiti, where he had already triumphed in 2008.
In the women’s race instead, it was another story entirely, with local valley girl Margit Zulian moving immediately into the lead, managing to accrue a discreet advantage as soon as Cima Bocche, continuing her solitary break away to the finish line. She shared the podium with Elisa Vettorazzi (Sci Club Vigolo Vattaro) and Dimitra Theocharis (US Almodoro Team Crazy-Lasport).
The Mountain Grand Prix awarded a Roto Ski Alp Kit by Yes Skiwax each to Filippo Barazzuol and Margit Zulian.
Special thanks goes out from the organizers to the brilliant groups of local associations that contributed to making everything perfect: volunteers from Val di Fassa Events, the Moena State Alpine Police School, Cai Sat Moena, Fassa Alpine Rescue Centre, Moena and Val del Biois, Bela Ladinia, ANA di Moena, the Val di Fassa Red Cross, the Alpine Guides who facilitated the guided excursion and the San Pellegrino Ski Area lift facilities.
