76km in skating technique – that's the distance the male athletes have to ski for the FIS Marathon Cup. For the women however, the distance is a bit shorter: They've done their job already after 54km!
It's the 34th edition of this traditional race through this wonderful region of the Jura mountains. The 76km race starts in Lamoura, which served as an arrival of the first mountain stage of the Tour de France in 2010. The track follows the valley, passes Prémanon and the National Nordic Ski Centre of France to come to Les Rousses and the famous “Montée de l'opticien” which is situated right in the heart of the village.
The track continues to Bois d'Amont, the home village of the Olympic and World Champion in Nordic Combined, Jason Lamy Chappuis, before it climbs into the Risoux forest up to the highest point of the course (1237m). If this point is passed, it's time for some a long downhill down to Bellefontaine, from where the track continues into the direction of Pré Poncet, passing the little village of Chapelle des Bois. After the climb to Pré Poncet, the track descends to Chaux-Neuve and the well known ski jumping stadium, which is annually used for the Nordic Combined World Cup. From here, Mouthe is not far any more and the track levels in until it arrives in Mouthe, the home town of Fabrice Guy, Olympic Champion in Nordic Combined of the Albertville Games of 1992.
The 54km for the women start in Les Rousses, at the high school and then follows the same track to Mouthe as the 76km course. Snow fall and cold temperatures have made it possible to hold the race this year on the original track – which is known as to be the most beautiful. There have been discussions and problems during the last weeks concerning a special type of cock which can be found in the Risoux forest and which might have been affected by the race – however, these problems could be solved and the race will take place as planned!
In total, 3750 participants have already registered, all ready to compete on the beautiful snowy tracks of the Jura Mountains! The multiple Olympic Medallist in downhill skiing in Albertville and Calgary, Franck Piccard, will be the guest of honour of La Transjurassienne 2012 and will also race the 76km.
The racers – who is on the start list?!
Most of the Norwegian and Swedish skiers will take a rest this weekend and won't ski La Transjurassienne. A perfect opportunity for especially the Italian team to get back on top of the podium. Especially Fabio Santus will try to win the prestigious skating race. Benoît Chauvet, the winner of last year's edition, will try hard to keep Santus away from the top spot of the podium. However, the French, who just turned 31, was sick the last week and is therefore not in top shape.
Aliaksei Ivanou (BLR), who got second by only a margin in the Dolomitenlauf, which was also skied in skating technique, will fight alongside his team mates Thomas Freimuth (GER, back from sickness) and Martin Koukal (CZE) for a podium place. Emmanuel Jonnier (Frau), who stopped his career as a World Cup skier after last season, will equally start as will Toni Livers (SUI) and the French hope Mathias Wibault.
On the women's side, it's surely Emilie Vina (FRA) who tries to step on top of the podium, but last year's winner Natascia Leonardi Cortesi (SUI) will do everything to stop her from doing so. Vina will also be challenged by her ex-national team mate Elodie Bourgeois Pin as well as by the Italians Stephanie Santer, currently third in the overall FIS Marathon Cup, Sabina Valbusa and Antonella Confortola. Finally back will also be Seraina Mischol from the Engadin Skimarathon Team. Not to forget as well is Valentina Shevshenko (UKR), the winner of the Dolomitenlauf, who will also participate in La Transjurassienne. Karine Laurent Philippot (FRA), the winner from 2009, is back from her maternity leave. Ursina Badilatti (SUI) and Tatjana Manimaa (EST) complete the participants on the women's side.
Important dates & practical informationFebruary 12, 2012
La Transjurassienne (FRA) - 5th FIS Marathon Cup 2011-12 / 76km skating
8.30am: start of the 76km La Transjurassienne in Lamoura (Combe du Lac)
9.15am: start of the 54km La Transjurassienne in Les Rousses (collège → high school)
Last year's winners:
Men: 1st Benoît Chauvet, 2nd Fabio Santus, 3rd Christophe Perillat
Women: 1st Natascia Leonardi Cortesi, 2nd Célia Bourgeois, 3rd Sabina Valbusa
More information on the race: www.transjurassienne.com
Contributed by Christina Fritz, www.worldloppet.com
