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Riita-Lisa Roponen, nouvelle membre du Team Skinfit Racing, effectuait ses débuts en longue distance aujourd'hui à Livigno. Un début courronné de succès puisque la Finlandaise remporte cette classique comptant pour la FIS Marathon Cup, 42km en style libre, avec un temps de 1'45"22.
La Biélorusse Ekaterina Rudakova prend la deuxième place à 2min40 et la Suissesse Seraina Boner, du Team Coop, complète le podium à 4min31.
Ensuite, et c'est une superbe satisfaction, on trouve la Française Célia Bourgeois au 4e rang à 6min03. La fondeuse du Team Grenoble effectuait sa rentrée après une année off due à la naissance de sa fille. Ce résultat lui ouvre de belles perspectives pour la suite.
L'Estonienne Mannima termine 5e suivie par la Suissesse Badilatti et la Suédoise Jenny Hansson. A noter encore la 15e place de la Jurassienne Gaetane Perret.
Les réactions : source FIS
Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN): "That was my first FIS Marathon Cup race and that I could already win that one makes me very happy. At first, I tried to follow the others to see how everything goes and works, but from around the 11th km I started to ski my own race in my own pace and the gap to the other girls was growing steadily. I also got some help from some men with whom I raced which was good. I really enjoyed this race and I am looking forward to the next one! I will do the Tour de Ski over New Year and the König-Ludwig-Lauf will be my next long distance race."
Ekaterina Rudakova (BLR): "I am very happy with my competition. It was really great to race with such good racers as Riitta-Liisa or Petter Northug in the same race. To be on the podium is even better! I didn't expect it, especially that this race takes place in high altitude. But maybe I got acclimatised well, as I am here for already a week. In any way, I am really happy and satisfied!"
Seraina Boner (SUI): "Since I was sick a week ago, I wasn't sure what to expect from this race. It was hard I have to say, especially that I had to race completely alone for almost 3/4th of the race. Therefore I am very satisfied and happy with the third place. Now I have some time until the next race to build up my shape again. The course looks easy at first sight, but there are no real areas where you can rest – you have to work the whole time. Therefore the race is maybe harder then one thinks. I really liked the new little loop close to the start and finish area – it brings some difference to the normal race track."
Le classement complet ICI
Photo : Nordic Focus
