The Iconic Climbs are the latest feature of Season XIV, adding a thrilling touch to the most formidable climbs in Ski Classics. This season introduces four Iconic Climbs, starting with Prato Piazza, which serves as the final ascent in the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge.
Ski Classics consistently presents exciting new developments, and this season’s highlight is the introduction of the Iconic Climbs.
The Iconic Climb represents a new segment in the Ski Classics points table, designated for the most legendary ascents.
This new category acknowledges that each climb is unique; some are more challenging, while others boast a rich history. Ski Classics aims to generate greater enthusiasm around these climbs and offer additional recognition to the top athletes.
Points awarded for Iconic Climbs are 50% more than those for a Category 1 Climb, with winners earning 45 points instead of the usual 30 in the Climb competition.
For Season XIV, the four Iconic Climbs include Prato Piazza, the final ascent of the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, as well as Cascata, the last hill leading to Cavalese during Marcialonga.
The third iconic ascent is Raudfjellet, the first major climb in Birkebeinerrennet, and finally, there’s the Orta climb featured in Reistadløpet.
CLIMB PROFILE & LENGTH
Event: Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge – Ski Classics Event 5
- Date: January 15, 2023
- Climb: Prato Piazza, ascending from 1460 to 2000m above sea level, including a continuous 6 kilometers up an old military road.
Event: Marcialonga – Ski Classics Event 7
- Date: January 29, 2023
- Climb: Cascata, climbing from 830 to 990m above sea level, spans 2 kilometers and proves particularly challenging as it begins after 68 kilometers.
Event: Birkebeinerrennet – Ski Classics Event 12
- Date: March 18, 2023
- Climb: Raudfjellet, rising from 300 to 880m above sea level, covering 19 kilometers. While not the steepest, it often sees a high pace from the outset.
Event: Reistadløpet – Ski Classics Event 13
- Date: April 1, 2023
- Climb: Orta, ascending from 136 to 575m above sea level, a 6-kilometer stretch featuring numerous steep sections and brief flats, which is why no one has ever won Reistadløpet without kick wax.
The next Ski Classics Pro Tour event is the Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, a 32km race in Italy, scheduled for tomorrow, January 15, 2023.
PRATO PIAZZA MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE – Ski Classics Pro Tour – Event 5
- Date: January 15, 2023
- Distance: 32km Classic Technique
- Location: Villabassa/Niederdorf, Italy (Start) – Prato Piazza (Finish)
- Start Time: Women 9:05 CET / Men 9:00 CET
- Number of SC Sprints: 1
- Sprint: Lago di Dobbiaco 8km
- Number of SC Climbs: 1
- Climb/Finish: Prato Piazza 32km
- Total Ascent: 1022m
COURSE MAP & PROFILE
The Season XIV of the Ski Classics Pro Tour encompasses 14 events across 10 weekends in 6 different countries.
SKI CLASSICS PRO TOUR SEASON XIV (2022/2023)
- Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
- Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
- Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km
- Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
- Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
- Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
- Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
- Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km
For more detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, visit skiclassics.com.
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