Looking forward to the Gsieser Tal Run (from left): Dominik Oberstaller (Mayor of Welsberg-Taisten), Walter Felderer (President of the Organizing Committee), Provincial Councilor Peter Brunner, Paul Schwingshackl (Mayor of Gsies) and Joachim Reinalter (Chairman of Bergmilch Südtirol-Mila). ). © Newspower.it

Anniversary run with a winter sports superstar

The Casies Valley has seen many cross-country skiing legends. Bjørn Dæhlie and Ole Einar Bjørndalen have already taken part in the Gsieser Tal Run. A very special guest is coming to the 40th edition of the cross-country skiing event on Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th.

07. February 2024

“Dario Cologna will be there on both race days,” announced OC boss Walter Felderer this Tuesday morning during the press conference at the Mila headquarters in Bolzano. The four-time Swiss Olympic champion, who will end his career in 2022, confirmed his participation a few months ago. At the age of 37, he wants to prove his skills again in South Tyrol's largest cross-country skiing event.

When presenting the anniversary edition, Felderer looked back on the great history of the “Gsieser”. Ole Einar Bjørndalen has already won the race, Norway's eight-time Olympic champion Bjørn Dæhlie and the Kazakh Olympic champion Vladimir Smirnov were also at the start in the Gsieser Valley. Not forgetting the Azzurri Roberto De Zolt and Silvio Fauner, who were victorious in the 1990s. “We always have top-class guests,” emphasized Felderer. He himself has been the OC president since the first edition in 1984.

Dario Cologna does the honors in Gsies. © APA/afp / BERIT ROALD

The race has been canceled for now. “2021 due to the coronavirus crisis,” Felderer reminded. Lack of snow has never been an issue. “The Gsieser Valley stands for guaranteed snow. Even if we had the luck of the brave one or two times,” admitted the OC boss. Everything is already well prepared for this year's 40th edition. The trails have been available to use since December. “The fact that the cross-country trails can be used all winter long is what sets us apart,” said Felderer, who emphasized the good cooperation with the tourism association.

A big number

The importance of the run was also underlined at the press conference by Sports Regional Councilor Peter Brunner and the two mayors of the affected communities: Paul Schwingshackl from the community of Gsies and Dominik Oberstaller from the community of Welsberg-Taisten. Schwingshackl himself has taken part in 36 editions so far. He will also be there next week, then together with Oberstaller, who is celebrating his “Gsieser debut”.

Numerous visitors came to the press conference. © Newspower.it

On Saturday, February 17th, the classic technique races are on the program, and on Sunday the cross-country skiers will compete in free style. You can choose between distances of 30 and 42 kilometers. All races are part of the international Euroloppet series, and those in free style are also part of the “Coppa Italia”. The 30th edition of the “Mini Gsiesers” (freestyle) for young athletes will also take place on Saturday. Around 450 volunteers are on duty at the weekend. OC boss Felderer knows: “Without the many volunteers and sponsors none of this would be possible anyway, they deserve a thank you.”

SportNews spoke to OC boss Walter Felderer about the Gsieser Tal Lauf.