Pustertaler Classic Ski Race
10th January, Italian Dolomites
I stand on the start line for the Pustertaler ski race. There are five minutes to go before the off. Crystal clear blue skies stretch out above. The snow bedecked rocks of the Italian Dolomites tower all around casting shadows that prevent the early morning sun from reaching us. It feels very cold and I wonder if I am wearing enough.
Immediately behind me Ros Brown-Grant waves her arms about and does her pre-race yogic stretches. If I were to try this myself it would guarantee me torn muscles and a trip to hospital. The man on the megaphone tells us that the temperature is minus 15 degrees. Thank God there isn't any wind. There is some jangly music followed by announcements in Italian and German then he counts down and set us off. What no Nessun Dorma? I double pole then double pole kick avoiding the fallen foe in front and the occasional broken ski pole stuck in the snow.
Ahead lies 28k of classic tracks they wind up and down (but mainly up) over the loipe of Dobbiaco and its environs. The start at least is almost flat. It is located on the airfield by the crossroads between the old and new parts of the town. The route zig zags over this for about 2k until it dives under the railway and heads for open country. The icy free running tracks of the airfield are unfortunately replaced at this point by fine powdery snow and the nice glide disappears.
Just before we leave the town outskirts there is a wee diversion into the ski stadium. Here they have constructed a steep hill on which the ski school practice their ascents and descents. The tone for the rest of the race is set as they take us all the way up the hill then back down again. There is a skate race the next day and I have a sinking feeling that we will see more of this hill. We do. Twice.
Finally we escape Dobbiaco and head up the old railway track route towards Cortina. I experiment and find I can overtake some of my companion skiers if I stick to double pole kick rather than diagonal stride. It's hard work, but I stick with it.
We pass Toblacher See on our right then finally loop round above the lake to ski down the other side. Some of this is steep enough to stand in the tracks and slide but large parts are so slow that I have to double pole down hills.
Just before we get back into the stadium, we turn left and ski towards Niederdorf. The normal loipe stays high on the valley side and bypasses the village. This is considered too easy for us and we head down hill to pass through the village centre. I cough out my lungs over a paper cup of some warm drink before climbing back up to our previous track.
Next we traverse left into the Altpragser valley. We had looked at this area earlier in the week and had compared the cut tracks with the conflicting maps in the race magazine and with the sheets handed out at bib collection the day before. It was all pointless effort really as since our visit they had cut yet more tracks which took us off in unexpected directions and up yet more unwelcome climbs. I check out my watch.
My plans to finish in under 2hrs are history. It was time to steady up a bit, think about the 42k skate race the next day, relax. Instead I fall in a heap. I pick myself up and make my way back onto the track as the last four skiers I have overtaken whiz past.
At last a sign says 500m to go. I put in a final burst and get over the line in a couple of minutes over 2hrs.
Ros comes in a bit later. I think its best to leave a little something to aim for in the future. Don't you?
We both did the skate race next day which was very tiring but just as enjoyable.
author: Alan Shepard
publish date: January 2009
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