On Sunday 15 August, the Valley of Tierra Mayor will host 24th edition of Marchablanca, the most popular Cross-Country skiing competition in Argentina and unique event in South America. The race takes place in in the Valley of Tierra Mayor outside of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
To find location of the event click HERE.
One of the reasons this colorful journey and competition success because it brings together experienced and amateur cross-country skiers. Marchablanca 2010 starts and ends in winter resort located northwest of the city. The competition course is 21 km long. Organizers prepared also shorter family competition of 7.5 km and 2.5 km race for athletes with Down syndrome.
Organizers hope to welcome some 700 participants. Brazilian and Argentinian winter Olympians are expected to take part as well. Start of Mrachablanca has its tradition and procedure. The starting ceremony is repeated every year, the third Sunday in August. Hundreds of skiers stand behind the starting line, raise their poles and start the countdown until the start order, which is traditionally given with a bell.
History of Marchablanca goes back to early 80's when a group of mountaineers crossed from the lodge Petrel, Hidden Lake to the Valley of Tierra Mayor. The test was conducted on August 17 in honor of the heroic deeds carried out by the liberator San Martin more than a century and a half before. The nearly sixty participants from this event are now considered the pioneers of this event.
In 1986, the Club Andino Ushuaia decided to organize a similar march from Rancho Hambre to Las Cotorras. They decided not to cross of the Cordillera moutains because, although it was an interesting idea for others, the journey was difficult. This choice was well received: the second edition of the event had 205 participants.
Since then the race is called Marchablanca and takes place the nearest Sunday to August 17. Since then, Marchablanca has been held annually except for 1989 and 2004 when it was cancelled due to lack of snow. The record attendance was achieved in the 2000 edition with 900 skiers.
To register and find more information please go to www.marchablanca.com
Contributed by marchablanca.com
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