The long distance competition series FIS Marathon Cup (FMC) concluded on 20th March with the traditional Birkebeinerrennet in Norway. After this last race, the new king and queen of long distance skiing were crowned with Jenny Hansson (SWE, 600 points) and Fabio Santus (ITA, 417 points) winning the titles.
Hansson clearly repeated her overall victory from last year, thanks to three season victories at the Dolomitenlauf, Marcialonga and finally at the Birkebeinerrennet. The runner-up is 27-year-old Susanne Nystroem (SWE) who also won three competitions, among them the famous Vasaloppet, and scored points in four other competitions to reach her 510 season points. The Swedish success was completed by Sandra Hansson who finished the marathon season with two victories (Tartumarathon, Jizerska Padesatka) and 360 points.
In the men's ranking, Fabio Santus (ITA) collected 417 points and won the season title. Swede Oskar Svaerd, the 2010 Marcialonga champion, finished in 2nd place, just 37 points behind Santus. Marco Cattaneo, last year's overall winner (317 points, ITA) concluded the 2010 FIS Marathon Cup in 3rd position The overall competition distance in all ten FMC popular races amounts to more than 590 km though participation in all races is not required or necessary to be classified in the FIS Marathon Cup standings.
FIS Marathon Cup
Standings ladies:
1 Jenny Hansson (SWE) 600pts
2 Susanne Nystroem (SWE) 510pts
3 Sandra Hansson (SWE) 360pts
Standings men:
1. Fabio Santus (ITA) 417pts
2. Oscar Svaerd (SWE) 380pts
3. Marco Cattaneo (ITA) 317pts
