Cogne, the World Cup returns

©Getty Images

Cogne, Nordic skiing

The Cross-Country World Cup returns to Cogne after a six-year absence and comes with a fabulous panorama: the long-awaited snow in January è fell on time. Thirty centimeters of white blanket welcomed the athletes who had already arrived from Engadine on Monday evening and were immediately on the track this morning for an outing and to try out the tracks that from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2 will host the ninth stage of the World Cup calendar.

Many of the protagonists of this first part of the season have responded to the Aosta Valley appointment. Norway, which commands the ranking by nations, confirmed the presence of Harald Oestberg Amundsen, Simen Hegstad Krueger, Even Northug, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Haavard Solaas Taugboel, Erik Valnes; in Sweden the names of Johan Haeggstroem, Calle Halfvarsson, Maja Dahlqvist and Johanna Hagstroem stand out, while Finland will take to the track with, among others, Krista Parmakoski, Kerttu and Iivo Niskanen and Joni Maki.

There will be American Jessie Diggins, there will be Swiss Valerio Grond and Nadine Faehndrich, also present will be Frenchmen Clement Parisse, Hugo Lapalus and Richard Jouve. Also at the start will be Mark Chanloung, who lives in the Gressoney Valley and will compete in the colors of Thailand.

And then the large blue team, with 24 athletes captained by Federico Pellegrino and the absolute debut in the World Cup for Stefania Corradini, Maria Eugenia Boccardi and Lucia Isonni. Also summoned are Elia Barp, Davide Graz, Simone Daprà, Paolo Ventura, Michael Hellweger, Giovanni Ticcò, Simone Mocellini, Alessandro Chiocchetti, Giacomo Gabrielli, Giandomenico Salvadori, Lorenzo Romano, Mikael Abram and Martin Coradazzi. And then again Caterina Ganz, Anna Comarella, Martina Di Centa, Francesca Franchi, Federica Cassol, Cristina Pittin and Martina Bellini, in addition to the three rookies.

Thursday is official training day for all, starting at 11 a.m. Friday opens with the team sprint, then in the afternoon the performance of violinist Andrea Casta, on the hits of today and yesterday. At 6:30 p.m. the presentation of the teams, before the big party. Saturday, Feb. 1 the sprint, Sunday 2 the individual race.

You may also like...