Michele Boscacci (Pol. Albosaggia) wins the fourth Trofeo Internazionale dell’Etna. Roberta Pedranzini crosses the finish line together with her long-time teammate Francesca Martinelli.
The third stage of the Italian Cup, held this morning on the volcanic snow of Etna, saw the participation of around seventy athletes, but what surprised the organisers most was that over two hundred companions came to Nicolosi to climb up to the craters of Etna.
The start was postponed by thirty minutes to let the snow soften. The course to be tackled had a vertical gain of about 1,400 metres spread over three climbs, with very technical but not dangerous descents.
A few seconds after ten, Michele Boscacci immediately went to the front to lead the group, with Lorenzo Holzknecht behind him, and Daniele Pedrini, both from the Alta Valtellina ski club; just behind the leading group was an old acquaintance of the Sicilian volcano’s snow, Graziano Boscacci, winner of the first edition. In the women’s race the two athletes from Bormio led the race as if it were a dress rehearsal for the Sellaronda, one behind the other at the same relentless pace. Annemarie Gross and Claudia Comello are already a few minutes behind.
On the first descent Boscacci junior emerges, chased by Holzknecht; at the ski/crampon transition Boscacci sets off with a lead of about twenty seconds. Daniele Pedrini has some trouble with a crampon that comes loose, but within a few moments everything is sorted. Boscacci Senior goes through with Thomas Trettel. Davide Pierantoni is sixth.
The two Bormio athletes reach the skin change together and in perfect sync set off again with crampons on. The descent towards the piano dei Pompieri is very fast; the athletes fly over the spring snow without any difficulty.
The last climb towards the Silvestri crater brings no changes in the standings: Michele Boscacci repeats his father’s victory with 1.08.58, Holzknecht is second about a minute and a half behind. Daniele Pedrini completes the podium.
In the women’s race too, nothing changes: Martinelli and Pedranzini keep climbing at a good pace right up to the last transition. The short final descent is a sprint and the two Azzurre cross the finish line with a time of 1.28.53. The Bogn da nia athlete Annemarie Gross is second with 1.42.47. Claudia Comello of the ski club Mont Nery takes the third step of the podium.
The fourth spectacular edition of the Trofeo Internazionale dell’Etna is also now in the books; for next year the Organising Committee has put forward its bid to host a World Cup stage again. Last week the Fisi Ski Mountaineering Commission gave its approval to take the bid to the Ismf. So will it be World Cup?
Men’s ranking
1. Michele Boscacci, Pol. Albosaggia, 1.08.58; 2. Lorenzo Holzknecht, sc Alta Valtellina, 1.10.22; 3. Daniele Pedrini, sc Alta Valtellina, 1.11.11; 4. Graziano Boscacci, Pol. Albosaggia, 1.11.47; 5. Thomas Trettel, Bogn da nia, 1.13.02; 6. Davide Pierantoni, sci Cai Schio, 1.13.40;
Women’s ranking
1. Roberta Pedranzini, sc Alta Valtellina, 1.28.53; 1. Francesca Martinelli, sc Alta Valtellina, 1.28.53 3. Annemarie Gross, Bogn da nia, 1.42.47; 4. Claudia Comello, sc Mont Nery, 1.51.16; 5. Monica Sartogo, US Aldo Moro Paluzza, 1.59.29; 6. Tamara Lunger, ski Team Fassa, 2.03.19; 7. Loretta Derù, sc Cima Dodici, 2.08.08.
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