Ski Classics Season XV heads to Switzerland for another action-packed Pro Tour event with the renowned Engadin La Diagonela this weekend.

On Saturday, January 20, the spotlight falls on Engadin La Diagonela, a demanding 55-kilometer-long race held in the breathtaking Engadin Valley, starting in Pontresina and finishing in Zuoz. Renowned as Switzerland’s premier classic technique competition, this event marks the sixth event of Season XV.

The 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon winner, Andreas Nygaard, was obviously one of the favorite skiers for the victory, as the Norwegian Pro Team athlete seems to be in great shape. Unfortunately, he had a fall while training this week. He is on the start list, but it appears he will not be able to start the race. 

Stay tuned for the men’s start; watch the live streaming with English commentary here on SC PLAY.

ENGADIN LA DIAGONELA – WATCH ON SC PLAY

The Top Contenders for the Men’s Event

Kasper Staadas

Kasper Stadaas, representing Team Ragde Charge, has demonstrated his potential to win Engadin La Diagonela based on his previous performance in the event. He has already achieved victory in Switzerland, showcasing his capability and familiarity with the race conditions and course. His ability to succeed in a high-profile race like this, combined with his overall skills and experience in long-distance skiing, positions him as a strong candidate for achieving success again in the upcoming Pro Tour event.

In the current Ski Classics season, Kasper Stadaas has been performing notably well, standing out as the current overall leader in the Champion competition. His results reflect his competitive prowess and consistency in the series, indicating that he is in good form for the upcoming races. His achievements so far this season position him as a significant contender for Engadin La Diagonela and other events in the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV.

Emil Persson 

Despite a challenging season start, Persson’s turnaround at the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon positions the Lager 157 Ski Team’s skier as a serious contender. His understanding of long-distance races, combined with a recent upswing in performance, makes him a likely candidate for a top spot at Engadin La Diagonela.

Axel Jutterström

Axel Jutterström, skiing for Team Eksjöhus, has shown commendable performances in the current Ski Classics season, enhancing his prospects for a strong showing at Engadin La Diagonela. His results include a 5th place finish in the 3 Zinnen Ski-Marathon, a 2nd place at the La Venosta ITT, and consistent top-10 finishes in other events like the Bad Gastein Criterium and La Venosta Criterium. These results indicate Jutterström’s competitiveness and potential for success in long-distance, making him a top contender for Engadin La Diagonela.

Jutterström is currently in 3rd place overall in the Champion competition, and if Nygaard doesn’t start, he can take the 2nd place this Saturday.

Amund Riege

Based on his recent performances and standings in the Ski Classics Pro Tour, Amund Riege, Team Ramudden, is a promising contender for Engadin La Diagonela. Riege is ranked 4th in the overall Yellow Champion Bib competition, following his participation in the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon. Additionally, he is holding a strong position in the Youth competition, being in second place.

Riege’s performance in the previous year’s Engadin La Diagonela was also noteworthy. In the 2023 event, he finished fifth, just a few seconds behind the winner.

The Top Contenders for the Women’s Event

Emilie Fleten

Emilie Fleten, a member of Team Ramudden, has demonstrated consistent and impressive performances in the Ski Classics Pro Tour, indicating her potential to win Engadin La Diagonela. In the previous season, Fleten finished in a strong second place, only 15.6 seconds behind the winner, Astrid Øyre Slind. This performance showcases her capability and competitiveness in this race​​.

Moreover, Fleten’s recent results in the Ski Classics series further highlight her as a strong contender. She achieved podium finishes in several races, including third place at the 3 Zinnen Ski-Marathon and victories at both the Bad Gastein Criterium and La Venosta Criterium. These results not only demonstrate her consistency but also her ability to compete at the top level in long-distance skiing events.

Ida Dahl

Ida Dahl’s recent performances indicate strong potential for her to win Engadin La Diagonela this Saturday. She demonstrated exceptional form last week, achieving a remarkable victory and outpacing her competitors by a significant margin. She also maintained a strong lead throughout, eventually securing a solo win​​.

​Moreover, Dahl’s current standing in the Ski Classics competitions further underlines her capabilities. She leads the women’s Champion competition and is also a front-runner in the Climb competition​​. Her consistent performance across these events highlights her strength and versatility as a skier, making her a top contender in the upcoming Engadin La Diagonela.

Sofie Elebro

Sofie Elebro’s recent achievements and overall progress in the Ski Classics make her a strong contender for winning Engadin La Diagonela. Elebro, who races for Team Eksjöhus, has notably improved her performance. Her career’s first Pro Tour podium finish came at La Venosta Criterium in Season XV of the Ski Classics, which marked a significant milestone for her.

Furthermore, after the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Elebro is in fourth place in the women’s overall standings. This ranking, alongside her performances in the Climb competition where she is also fourth, demonstrates her capability and competitiveness in the Ski Classics series.

Kati Roivas

Kati Roivas, representing Team Eksjöhus, has shown considerable potential and growth in her skiing career, making her a noteworthy contender for the upcoming Engadin La Diagonela race. Roivas’s background includes notable achievements in the Ski Classics Pro Tour, where she has consistently delivered strong performances.

Furthermore, her recent performance in the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon in Italy, where she secured second place, demonstrates her continued growth and competitiveness in the long-distance skiing circuit. This result was her best in a Pro Tour event, indicating that she is in excellent form leading up to Engadin La Diagonela​.

The Unpredictable Nature of Long-Distance Skiing

As always, Ski Classics Pro Tour events hold an element of unpredictability. While performances at the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon provide insights, Engadin La Diagonela could bring its own surprises. With a mix of seasoned athletes and emerging talents, it promises to be a thrilling event full of endurance, skill, and strategy. As these athletes prepare for the challenge, one thing is sure: Engadin La Diagonela 2024 will be a captivating spectacle for fans and a demanding race for the Pro Team athletes.

Read More: All You Need To Know Ahead of Engadin La Diagonela

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV

The Season XV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 15 events on 11 event weekends in 6 different countries. The season started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 9, 2023, and will end in Norway with the 100km Ski Classics Grand Finale Janteloppet on April 13, 2024.

Next up is the Engadin La Digonela in Switzerland on January 20, 2024. The event marks the sixth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage of Season XV.

Engadin La Diagonela – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 6

• Date: January 20, 2024
• Distance: 55km Classic Technique
• Place: Pontresina-Zuoz, Italy
• Start Time: Men 9:55 CET/ Women 10:00 CET
• Number of SC Sprints: 2
• Samedan: 5km 
• St. Moritz: 14km
• Website: Engadin La Diagonela 
• SC Play: Engadin La Diagonela

More information about Engadin La Diagonela can be found HERE and HERE

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 37km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 55km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com