The countdown to the Pitturina Ski Race—a round of the Italian Cup – Scarpa Trophy circuit and the opening leg, for the Senior and Master categories, of the Dolomites Cup—is being accompanied by snowfalls that have given the mountains of Comelico a fairy-tale look.
On Sunday, January 20 in Sega Digon, 400 athletes will line up at the start, the maximum cap set by the Organizing Committee coordinated by Michele Festini to guarantee all competitors high safety standards along the course and support services worthy of an Italian Championship.
«Last weekend,» said Michele Festini Purlan, «we fired up the snow cannons, and these latest snowfalls have allowed us to breathe a sigh of relief. We had already prepared the opening section of the course with 350 cubic meters of artificial snow, and we are now certain that both the start and finish will be in Sega Digon.»
«Back in November,» the Spiquy Team president continued, «when we saw the first snowfalls, we felt confident that the fifth edition of the Pitturina would be a success, especially coming off last year’s experience marked by a lack of snow. Then Christmas 2012 brought us rain, föhn winds, and warm weather. While the mild temperatures helped consolidate the snowpack at high altitude, they completely melted the snow in the valley and town. As always, the Committee did not lose heart and mobilized machinery and a massive workforce. Once temperatures dropped back below freezing, with the help of a snow cannon we covered more than three kilometers of road with snow—the stretch needed to ski all the way to the finish line in the hamlet of Sega Digon.»
A packed lineup of weekend events is planned. Things kick off on Saturday morning with the Winter Comelian Tour, featuring local folk bands traveling through the valley playing music and singing to herald the arrival of the Pitturina. In the afternoon, starting at 5:00 PM, renowned mountaineer Fausto De Stefani will present his charity project in Nepal, to which the Spiquy Team will donate part of the raffle proceeds. Next up is a panel discussion with Italian national team athlete Michele Boscacci, Oscar Angeloni, and two prominent figures of the Veneto mountains, Rufus Bristot and Roberto De Martin, past president of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). The evening will continue with the official presentation of race bibs to the top skiers, Giro d’Italia-style complete with a sign-in sheet, followed by the official course briefing for the athletes.
On Sunday, the champions take center stage, with the Senior and Master categories starting at 9:30 AM and cheered on along the course by participants in the “3rd Skialp Rally,” which this year will also be accompanied by mountain guides. Rally participants may use either touring skis or snowshoes.
Over the next few days, final touches will be put on the finish area, course markings, and slope safety where top athletes will battle for the Italian national titles.
For more information: www.lapitturina.it
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