More and more people are signing up for the first cross-country skiing competition of the yearLivigno’s organizer set a limit of 500 people. From Saturday 23, participants can train on the snow farming ring.
The superstar Klaebo is back in Livigno to prepare his Olympic season on high ground.

From Pauli Siitonen – the Finnish with the intuition – to Bill Kock – the American who developed the new technique in the 1970s. Skating is a very loved, bubbly and explosive discipline.The Sgambeda is the first chance of the season to put on your narrow skis and race against the clock with a free technique; it will raise the curtain on its 31st edition on December 4. This year, the organizers of the Livigno competition set some boundaries, because the pandemic – although currently contained – is still to be feared. Therefore, they set a limit of 500 participants, and, as always, the imperative is crossing the finish line. Many international athletes have already booked a race-bib: five hundred, cinq cents, fünfhundert, with a maximum of 500 participants.

Although there is still time before December 4, you should start polishing your skis, because from Saturday (23 October) onward, you can start training on the first ring section obtained in Livigno with the snow farming technique. Amateurs who want to challenge their passion on narrow skis will have the ring at their disposal between noon and 6:30 pm, after getting a ticket at the cross-country ski centre.

Livigno’s “plateau” is favourite place for altitude training for many athletes, and for cross-country national teams in particular, at this time of the year; with the opening of the training track, the members of the Finnish national team – guided by superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo – and of the German biathlon team – familiar faces in Little Tibet – have already been announced.

Training and spending a few nice days in Livigno is an enticing idea, without though losing sight of the Sgambeda’s 500 participant limit, which is quickly reaching its target.

Until 31 October, the participation fee will be €50,00 and on December 1 it will increase to €60,00.

Although it is true that the tendency is to wait the last second to enter a competition, the saying “There is no time like the present” rings very true in Livigno; so, in order not to be out of the group of 500 lucky skating participants, you better hurry.

The race track is the traditional 35 km one, with start and arrival at Livigno’s cross-country ski centre, the climb toward the Forcola pass in the shadow of the Vago Alps, and then downhill toward Livigno’s centre. As always, the Sgambeda starter package will be top quality, and it will be revealed soon; the true “prize” is the chance to ski at the beginning of December in a place where usually snow holds sway, and where elsewhere it is very hard to find any centres open.

In Livigno, altitude skiing is a pleasure and a qualifying way to open the cross-country ski race season, which will continue in January in Italy. At the beginning of December, Livigno sparkles with lights and colours, the Christmas atmosphere is everywhere and the time of giving is anticipated – like the skiing season.

Info: www.lasgambeda.it

• By info.sgambeda
• In Newsletter, Press

The training of top athletes and amateur in the mountains is keep going.
On October 23rd will be ready the first cross-country ring thanks to snowfarming.
On December 4th the appointment is with the Sgambeda, 35 km in skating.
17 nations are already represented, with a maximum of 500 subscribed.

Livigno is still all “green” in the mere meaning of the word. Green because the colour of woods and meadows reigns over the Piccolo Tibet, “green” because there is a great attention to nature and environmental protection. 

The last snowfall of the year was on 19 April, a sprinkling of two centimetres, but now the peaks around Livigno have started to turn white, a sign that we are slowly approaching the ski season. Waiting for the abundant natural snow, in order to complete the long track that distinguishes the “Nordic” Livigno, as usual a ring for cross-country skiing will be set up soon. In fact, in Livigno, thanks to snowfarming, it is possible to anticipate the natural flakes with the use of about 80,000 cubic metres of snow stored in spring under a special geothermal sheet, protected by sawdust insulation. The ring will be accessible on October 23rd.

Livigno is also a training ground in the pre season for many champions and amateurs, because the preparation in high altitude improves the physical condition in view of the performances on the narrow skis. At the end of August, for example, the Norwegian national cross-country team led by Klaebo and Johaug trained in Livigno, using the cycle path and the trails of the resort. Last week also the women’s national team went on a training camp under the “orders” of coach Renato Pasini, with intense sessions with rollerskis and at the Aquagranda sports centre.

Talking about events, the date to mark in the calendar is December 4th with the first Italian cross-country skiing event, the 31st edition of the Sgambeda, which in fact opens the fourth decade of its history, years that have also written the history of Italian cross-country skiing.

Registrations for the race have just opened and already reached 200 subscriptions, with foreign cross-country skiers in particular eager to grab one of the 500 race-bibs available. For this edition, considering that the anti-Covid rules for ski events are not yet clear and definitive, the organising committee wanted to set a ceiling of 500 participants. Along with the Italians on the entry list are athletes from Holland, Norway, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, the United States, France, Russia, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, Sweden, Austria and Belgium.
The race is scheduled over the distance of 35 km in free technique, with the traditional track starting from the cross-country centre that runs past Livigno.

With the pandemic that forced many cross-country skiers to inactivity last season, the date of 4 December promises to be the first event of the season not to be missed. The opportunity to train well in advance, taking advantage of Livigno’s potential, is also an opportunity to spend a few relaxing days in the centre of Valtellina.

For the Sgambeda there is no time to waste. The ceiling of the 500 subscribers remains binding and until 31 October the adhesion fee is fixed at 50 euro, while from the first of November to the first of December the fee rises to 60 euro. If the race is cancelled, which is important, the organisers will refund the entire amount paid. As if to say: “Those who have time don’t wait for time!”

Info: www.lasgambeda.it

• By info.sgambeda
• In Newsletter, Press

The date of the 31st Sgambeda, the first granfondo of the European season, has been decided, with its 35km of free technique.
At the end of October the snow-farming slope will open.
A success story for the race of Livigno, the first to dominate it De Zolt and Dal Sasso.
Registration open from September 1st, but only for the first 500 fastest to register

The overture is an orchestral piece that artists usually perform with the curtain closed before the beginning of an opera, almost always introducing a great musical composition. Saturday December 4th, Livigno proposes the classical overture on the snow, but this time the “curtain” will be open, vast, fascinating: the Piccolo Tibet, that at the beginning of December is usually already well covered with snow, will stage the 31st edition of the Sgambeda.

It will be… an Italian symphony, it will represent as always the opening of the season for the long distance cross-country skiing and in fact the organisers put on the track the event one month after the opening of the cross-country ring, realised as it has been doing for years thanks to the snow-farming. A track that many top athletes, Italians and especially foreigners, have booked for the last training sessions at high altitude before the start of the World Cup.

The Sgambeda returns to the tradition, first weekend of December, 35 km free technique with start and arrival near the centre of Livigno, using all the facilities of the Cross country Center. This edition, after the stop imposed by the Covid last season, is very awaited by the fans, who usually take off their skis from the attic for a first weekend that tastes like a return to the slope with a “walk” on the snow in the middle of the nature.

Waiting to understand if there will be restrictions or not, the organisers announce a limited number edition, 500 admitted starting from the 1st September, when the cross-country skiers have well in mind what will be the future commitments of the season. The Sgambeda is dedicated above all to the amateurs, lovers of the free technique or skating, but the competition has often exalted the deeds of great champions who over the years have chosen Livigno to prepare the most important enterprises.
In 1990 the first to write his name in the gold book was the “Grillo” Maurilio De Zolt, imitated by another great athlete, Guidina Dal Sasso. Since then the Sgambeda and Livigno tell of extraordinary enterprises also with Gaudenzio Godioz, Silvano Barco, Michael Botvinov, and then in the years Gianantonio Zanetel, Marco Cattaneo and in the most recent times the Norwegian ace Petter Northug, just to name a few.

The entry fee until October 31st is 50 euros, then until December 1st it will rise to 60 euros. There will be five categories according to age: 18/30, 31/40, 41/50, 51/60 and finally over 60, with a very attractive prize fund for the first five men and women.

Remember that at 500 entries will be frozen: better hurry, it could get.. cold very quickly!

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press

It is said that Livigno advances the seasons, but the abundant snowfall of recent days has literally made the “Piccolo Tibet” a whitewashed paradise, the ideal to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “la Sgambeda” on 30th November and the Minisgambeda dedicated to the apprentices of narrow skis, events available to all cross-country skiers – old and young – accompanied by the prestigious contest visma Ski classics on Friday 29th November and Sunday 1st December, aimed to officially open the long-distance season.

After the abundant fall of snowflakes, the organizing committee of Livigno was able to widen the cross-country ring, which in these days will be further extended in view of the end-of-month competitions.

The conditions are now optimal for amateurs to enjoy a fantastic cross-country race, with the registration wide open – to the price of 60 euro – providing competitors with a beautiful sweatshirt and products of historical partners, without forgetting the medal carved by local artisans.

The sport menu of “La Sgambeda” offers 30 km in free technique not too difficult and suitable for all tastes, you just need to know how to juggle with skis and be in good physical condition, an effort rewarded by moments of relaxation that only Livigno can offer.

As for the times and schedule of “La Sgambeda”, Thursday, 28th November (14–19) the distribution of race bibs will be held in Plaza Placheda, as well as Friday (9 – 12.30 and 14 – 19) and Saturday (7.30 – 9) before the official departure of the 30th edition (11 a.m.), followed by pasta party (12.30 – 16.00) and awards ceremony (15.00). In the evening the attention goes to the little ones with “La Minisgambeda” (17.00).

Livigno is worth a long visit, and using the holiday packages you can enjoy a stay in the hotel for a minimum of one night (apartments minimum 7 nights), an inscription to “La Sgambeda” of Saturday, 30th November and a free entry into the Wellness&Relax of Aquagranda Active You, another paradise, but for swimmers. Having fun taking the whole family to breathe pure air, this is the diktat of the events of Livigno. More Information about accommodation: https://www.livigno.eu/en/holiday-offers/sgambeda

All information to register, rules and program on the site: www.lasgambeda.it

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press

“La Sgambeda” on Saturday 30 November in Livigno celebrates the 30th anniversary and it does it with a prestigious race pack, particularly precious and rich in products to celebrate with all the cross-country skiers the important event. 

A beautiful sweatshirt will be given to all the amateurs, but it will not be the only precious gift because the race pack will be enriched by products supplied by historical partners of“La Sgambeda” such as Molino Tudori, with a box of Pizzocheri, goods of Latteria di Livigno,  body care products by Bormoline and a gadget by Creval. 

And that’s not all, because the finishers will also take home a wooden carved medal made for the event by local artisans, to be stored on the wall of sporting memories.

Livigno also wanted to think about the organization of the trip with the creation of an ad hoc stay package, valid in the period from November 23rd to December 1st 2019, which includes:

• hotel / apartment accommodation
• registration for the race on Saturday 30 November 2019
• an entrance to the “Wellness & Relax” area of Aquagranda

All information to register, rules and program on the site www.lasgambeda.it

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press

The winter season is getting closer, in a few days, Livigno is going to open the ring for cross-country skiing, allowing fans and athletes to put their skis on from the 19th of October 2019.

This is an extra opportunity to register for “La Sgambeda”, in free technique, on Saturday 30 November at the reduced rate of € 50, which will be valid until the 13th of October.

As last year, for the protection of all participants, the Organizing Committee has introduced the guarantee of total refund of the fee in case of cancellation of the race due to lack of snow.

To celebrate the 30th edition the participants will receive, within their registration, a race package with the special sweatshirt and the exclusive finisher medal.

Livigno also wanted to help you with the organization of the trip. For this reason, there will be some “ad hoc” packages for the period from the 23rd of November to  1st of December 2019, which includes:

• accommodation in hotel/apartment
• registration for the race on Saturday 30th of November 2019
• an entrance to the area “Wellness&Relax” in Aquagranda

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press

Arrangements to better celebrate the anniversary of “La Sgambeda” has begun. On the occasion of the thirty-year event, to be held on November 30 in Livigno, all participants will receive a wooden medal carved by local artisans. On the medal stands the inscription “30 years anniversary”, the image of a cross-country skier with the wonderful mountains of “Little Tibet” as background and a tricolour ribbon to give the right patriotical touch to an historical ski contest.

The works on the cross-country track in Livigno has already started with the positioning of snow lances for the making of artificial snow, which will commence as soon as temperatures allow it. The opening of the first ring is even expected for October 19, thanks to snow farming, the technique of which Livigno is master. The Italian National cross-country ski team will be present right away to get down to the altitude training for the winter season to come.

A month later we will concentrate on the 30 kilometres free technique of the mythical “Sgambeda”.  Inscriptions will be opened for 50 euros by October 13.

And that’s not all, because on November 29th and December 1st Livigno will lead to compete also the best long-distance cross-country skiers of the planet.  On Friday with the first competition of the season of Visma Ski Classics, the Pro Team Tempo, and on Sunday with a spectacular Mass Start of 35 km.

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press

Enrolment for Livigno’s cross-country skiing event is now open. The free technique race on Saturday 30th November will be identical to that of last year.

Livigno will open the Visma Ski Classics season on 29th November and 1st December.

The participation fee for the Sgambeda free technique skiing race on Saturday 30th November is 50 euros to be paid by 13th October. Said fee includes a range of services, including an expo area, ski tests, technical assistance, medical assistance, professional timekeeping, bag storage, refreshments along the route and at the finish line, changing rooms, shuttle buses, showers, pasta parties and awards ceremonies. Moreover, the race packages handed out to the first 1000 to sign up will also include gadgets.

Every participant will choose a starting group according to their physical condition at the time of enrolment. The first group will be for top level athletes, the second for those with a good level of athletic preparation and the third for amateurs. Sgambeda number 30, which will take place over a distance of 30 km, intersperses the Visma Ski Classics races and Pro Team Tempo which covers a 15km route on Friday 29th November. The event will close with a 35km Mass Start on Sunday 1st December.

Thanks to the snowfarming technique, and despite the Visma Ski Classics appointments being practically the first of the season, there will be cross-country skiing in Livigno once again this summer with the Palio delle Contrade on 23rd August. Livigno’s “godmothers” Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi will also be taking part in it, and the official opening of the first training ring has been scheduled for 19th October.

• By fabiana.salvadori
• In Newsletter, Press