Monte Pana: A Course with Character

Athletes and Spectators similarly enthusiastic

FANPAGE

“I was impressed when I first tested the Monte Pana course” says 4x10km relay Turin olympic gold medalist Pietro

Piller-Cottrer. “This is where the Italian Cup was hosted in March 2011. The run is highly technical and contains

everything a dedicated racers would like to see. Furthermore, I was impressed by the beautiful scenic panorama of the

Dolomites.”

Indeed, the course at Monte Pana was built as a a high-calibre, well-thought-out and challenging cross-country run

network which perfectly lents itself to host international, domestic and regional competitions. The FIS-OPA Continental

Cup scheduled for December 2011 is the run’s current highlight.

Pietro Piller-Cottrer gets carried away when describing the run for the FIS-OPA Continental Cup: “It is winding, with

several great climbs where one can let off steam. Next you plunge yourself into the descents, to briefly catch your

breadth, before heading up the next hill. And so it goes on and on all the way to the finish area where you can prepare for

the final sprint.”

Alfred Runggaldier, FIS-OPA Continental Cup race director explains: “We have alternated climbs and descents with a few

flat sections in between.” and Romed Moroder, PE instructor and course director, adds: “This way racers can reach

higher speeds as they will be able to recover constantly which will, in turn, contribute to a more spectacular race

dynamic”. Sounds like suspense is practically built-in to the course.

It is thus no surprise that Italian national team member David Hofer completed the 15km mass start Italian Cup race on

the Monte Pana race in an unbelievable 33 minutes and 18 seconds with a average speed of 27.027 km/h.

The course is very challenging despite high speed and impressive times. It is not easily interpreted by racers. Those

starting too eagerly often get stuck early but those taking their time in the first three minutes of the race and

intelligently allocate their energy across the entire race can score a great time and also have fun at the same time.

“Athletes and spectators are similarly enthusiastic” adds Pietro Piller-Cottrer. Races can look forward to the FIS-OPA

Continental Cup on Monte Pana. And spectators will be enjoying the beauty of a true cross-country racing spectacle. Key

sections are easily reached from the start/finish area and provide perfect vantage points to enjoy the impressive

performances of the athletes.

Saslong Classic Club

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