Centro Sportivo Esercito athletes Michele Boscacci and Manfred Reichegger won the eighth edition of the Pitturina Ski Race, the team ski mountaineering race held on the snows of the Padola Ski Area. In the women’s race, local favorite Alba De Silvestro teamed up with Piedmont’s Katia Tomatis to claim the top step of the podium.
Yesterday afternoon’s edition in Padola was a special one: due to this winter’s capricious weather, the race had to be staged along the slopes of the Padola Ski Area. The classic race course along the border ridges of Cima Vallona and La Pitturina will return in 2017.
Getting underway just as the crimson glow of sunset began coloring Passo della Sentinella, Monte Popera, and Croda da Campo, the race immediately saw the pair of newly crowned European ski mountaineering champion Michele Boscacci and Manfred Reichegger take the lead. The course featured 2,200 meters of total elevation gain split across three 740-meter climbs, with its focal point at 2,000 meters above sea level near Rifugio Col d’la Tenda, through which the athletes passed three times.
At the first skin transition, the Centro Sportivo Esercito duo came through in the lead, pursued by Pietro Lanfranchi (Valgandino) and Tadei Pivk (US Aldo Moro), while Ivo Zulian (Bogn Da Nia) and Thomas Trettel (Cauriol) began the descent in third place.
In the women’s race, Alba De Silvestro (Dolomiti Ski Alp) and Katia Tomatis (Tre Rifugi) set the pace from start to finish, chased by Raffaella Rossi (SC Valtartano) and Laura Besseghini (SC Sondalo).
Back in the men’s race, the frontrunners had no trouble holding onto their lead over the second and third climbs, steadily extending their gap by precious seconds on each ascent.
Italian national team members Boscacci and Reichegger crossed the finish line in a time of 1:57’37’’, with Pietro Lanfranchi and Tadei Pivk securing second place behind them. Ivo Zulian and Thomas Trettel rounded out the podium in 2:07’20’’.
In the women’s race, young Alba De Silvestro delighted the home crowd by crossing the finish line victorious alongside teammate Katia Tomatis, stopping the clock at 2:28’20’’. Second place went to Raffaella Rossi and Laura Besseghini in 2:35’24’’, while Cecilia De Filippo and Martina De Silvestro (sister of the winner) completed the podium.
The awards ceremony, pasta party, and closing celebration took place at the PalaPitturina in Sega Digon, the venue that has made La Pitturina so special over the years.
Men’s Standings
1. Michele Boscacci – Manfred Reichegger, 1:57’37’’;
2. Pietro Lanfranchi – Tadei Pivk, 1:58’57’’;
3. Ivo Zulian – Thomas Trettel, 2:07’20’’.
Women’s Standings
1. Alba De Silvestro – Katia Tomatis, 2:28’20’’;
2. Raffaella Rossi – Laura Besseghini, 2:35’24’’;
3. Cecilia De Filippo – Martina De Silvestro, 2:46’44’’.
Link >> Full results – official website: www.lapitturina.it
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