A truly fairytale setting awaits participants on Sunday at Passo Mendola for the 41st Ciaspolada of Val di Non, the major event (over a 7 km course) that traditionally kicks off the new competitive snow season in Trentino over the Epiphany holiday weekend.
La Ciaspolada returns to its roots and changes its course. The 41st edition will be held on the historic 1990s route, with the start and finish located at the Golf Course at Passo della Mendola.
“Snow cover in the area is fantastic – explains president Gianni Holzknecht – and so we decided to return to tradition to thrill our competitors with a route through the local woods. A sort of return to our roots, just like in the past before the Romeno-to-Fondo course was introduced. The recent snowfalls guarantee an ideal base for our competitors – explains the president of Podistica Novella di Fondo – and from a competitive standpoint as well, the 2014 Ciaspolada will certainly deliver electrifying action. And weather conditions certainly guarantee a perfect outcome”.
The start will therefore be located near the chairlift of the ski slope at Passo Mendola. Competitors will initially tackle the ski run uphill for a few hundred meters before heading into the splendid fir woods of this natural area on the border between Val di Non – Trentino and Alto Adige—an environmental gem already known to the Habsburg Court in the mid-19th century.
All the ingredients are in place for another wonderful competition capable of showcasing the unique spirit of the Ciaspolada, confirmed by registrations, which have picked up briskly in recent weeks in line with recent years. Nations already represented include England, Canada, the USA, Germany, Austria, France, and Sweden, in addition to Italy.
Representing Italy at the starting line will be competitors from Trento and Bolzano alongside those from Padua, Bologna, Florence, Ferrara, Bergamo, Varese, Modena, Monza Brianza, Treviso, Reggio Emilia, Como, Ancona, Verona, and Ravenna, with all Italian regions represented.
The Ciaspolada never forgets its popular spirit, and for this upcoming edition it introduces two exciting highlights. Singer Alice Mondìa is the 2014 patroness with her debut single RUN, dedicated to running and featured on the EP Plaster. Proceeds will be donated to the Fondazione Don Bosco nel Mondo.
Pupils and students from the Primary and Secondary Schools of the Fondo Comprehensive Institute have also created models of I Balli Plastici (the artwork by Fortunato Depero featured on the 2014 race bib), used to decorate shop windows in the village of Fondo as well as the windows of the school. Made possible by the collaboration of the teachers—led by Prof. Leonardelli and teacher Bonini—their work can be admired by visitors in the valley over the Epiphany holiday weekend.
For more info: www.ciaspolada.it
No comments yet