Ten days of racing, 1,200 athletes, 2,000 participants from 26 nations, and 200 volunteers who worked tirelessly to stage the Masters World Cup MWC Asiago 2013 cross-country skiing event. A grand international celebration across the entire Plateau came to a close today with the final awards and the closing ceremony.
In the end, topping a hard-fought medal table were the Russians: arriving in Italy more determined than ever, they racked up 117 medals (38 golds, 45 silvers, and 34 bronzes), followed by our Italian team with 68 medals and Finland with 55 medals (25 golds, 27 silvers, and 14 bronzes).
It was an extraordinary performance by the Italian squad (adding another 3 golds, 3 silvers, and 2 bronzes today) in what can truly be called a record-breaking Masters World Cup for our national team: never before had Italy done so well, reaching 68 podium finishes including 27 golds, 26 silvers, and 15 bronzes. Hopefully, this triumph will be a good omen for the ongoing World Championships in Val di Fiemme: “Italy’s results at the Nordic Masters World Cup in Asiago,” explains Giacomo Camozzini, head coach of the Italian Masters team, “are outstanding. We had set ourselves the goal of surpassing the medal haul from the last Italian edition of the Masters in Brusson in 2006—where we won 46 medals including 19 golds—and we went well past sixty, so we are extremely satisfied: every athlete gave their all. I must highlight relay day, where out of 14 world titles up for grabs we won 8 and also took home two silver medals.”
In light of these performances, Camozzini also believes it is worth reflecting within FISI, the Italian Winter Sports Federation: “Let’s say that now, when we take stock of this event and the season within the Federation, these medals will carry weight in asking the Federation for greater recognition of this sector.”
A competitive and organizational achievement that certifies Asiago as a world capital of cross-country skiing, earning praise even from countries with deep Nordic skiing traditions such as Norway and Russia—fittingly, cross-country skiing legend Bjørn Dæhlie served as official ambassador for these championships. Is Asiago the international capital of cross-country skiing?
“We can say it and proclaim it loud and clear,” says Alessandro Rigoni, Executive President of the MWC Asiago 2013 Masters World Cup. “After all, Mother Nature has blessed the Plateau with unique qualities recognized by all the athletes and national directors of the countries that took part in the World Cup. Asiago is the ideal place for Nordic skiing.”
Hero of the day was Plateau native Marco Crestani, who took home a well-deserved bronze today in the M4 category in the 45 km long-distance race, cheered on trackside by a very special fan club of nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives. The other Italians on the podium in the classic-technique finale were: Bruno De Bertolis, gold in M1 over 45 km; Bruno Carrara, gold in M2; Giampaolo Englaro, gold, and Daniele Vuerich, silver, both in M6; strong results for Eugenia Bichugova, silver, and Mara Zamboni, bronze, both in F5; and silver for Laura Colnaghi in F6.
“A thoroughly positive balance: outstanding organization and an excellent turnout. We saw true athletes,” explains Andrea Gios, Mayor of Asiago, who presented the medals on the field today, “who filled our town from morning to night with their enthusiasm and love of sport. These are hugely important World Championships that have showcased the Plateau’s potential for Nordic skiing.
I must offer genuine, heartfelt—not merely formal—praise to the organizers and all the volunteers, who were phenomenal and proved what this region is capable of achieving. Thanks to them and to those who coordinated them: thank you to Unione Sportiva Asiago Sci and Gruppo Sportivo Alpini, two pillars of our community.”
No comments yet