The race that started in Pontresina and finished in Zuoz saw Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, and Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, dominating their respective races and winning Engadin La Diagonela 2024, the sixth event of Ski Classics Season XV. 

ENGADIN LA DIAGONELA – MEN’S RACE

In the men’s race, which started at 9:55 CET, the action started right from the start, and at the first Sprint checkpoint of the day in Samedan, 5.4km into the race, Amund Hoel, Team Engcon, crossed first, followed by Simen Ramstad, Team Kaffebryggeriet, and Vebjørn Moen, Team Eksjöhus.

With about 45km to go, the skiers hit the steepest climb of the day, with Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, and Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, leading the race and got a small gap, with the main field in a high pace a few seconds behind.

A few kilometers later, with 41km to go, a bigger group of about 30 skiers were in front, preparing for the second and last Sprint checkpoint, 15.4km into the race at St. Moritz.

The Sprint saw fast man Simen Ramstad, Team Kaffebryggeriet, taking the most points, followed by Amund Hoel, Team Engcon, and Henrik Haugland Syverinsen, Kaffebryggeriet. 

At the 23km mark, 14 skiers were still strong in the front, with the second group railing about 25 seconds behind. 

With about 22km to go, the leading group was on the offensive, with Johan Hoel and Runar Skaug Mathisen trying to break away. 

Seventeen skiers were still strong in the front with 18km to go, but the significant action came on the final kilometers. From there, the leading group of contenders kept together for the race.

With 8km to go, Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, was on the offensive at the front, setting the pace and trying to reduce the leader’s group, with Ødegaarden, Hoel, Riege, and Stadaas in the lead. With 6km to go, Team Ragde Charge upped the pace and got a gap with Stadaas and Hoel over Ødegaarden.

With 2km to go, Ødegaarden, Stadaas, and Hoel were still strong in the front, with Runar Skaug Mathisen trying his luck to catch the leaders.

In the end, Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, had an impressive sprint and won his fifth Ski Classics Pro Tour event, becoming a Ski Classics Legend. Stadaas was followed by Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge, 1.8 seconds back. Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, completed the podium in the third position, 2.5 seconds behind the winner.

Engadin La Diagonela – Top 3 Men 

1. Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, 2:18:57.7
2. Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge, +1.8
3. Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, +2.5

ENGADIN LA DIAGONELA – WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s race, which started 5 minutes after the men’s, at 10:00 CET, we had good action already at the Samedan 5.4km mark Sprint. Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, crossed first, followed by Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, and Silje Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie.

Right into the first climb of the race, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, upped the pace, and only Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, could follow. The chasing duo, formed by Kati Roivas and Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, tried to close the gap but was already 17 seconds back after a couple of kilometers. Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, was having some problems and was already chasing behind. 

The leading duo kept working together and, with 40km to go, increased the gap to the chasers to 1:02. Gjerde Alnæs and Roivas were fighting hard, and Øyre Slind could enter the chasing group. Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, was having some problems and was already chasing, 2:57 behind.

At St. Moritz 15.4km Sprint split, it was time for Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, to cross first, followed by Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, 0.5 seconds back, and Sofie Elebro, Team Eksjöhus, 1:13.4 behind.

From there, the front of the race was established, with the leaders increasing the gap after each split. With about 20km to go, the chasing group was still together, with the six skiers more than three minutes behind the leading duo, and the gap still growing.

With 1.5km to go, it was a fight between Smedås and Fleten for the top position and four skiers battling for the last place on the podium.

In the end, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, used all her power to win Engadin La Diagonela 2024 in a convincing performance. Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, crossed the line in second, 3.0 seconds back, and Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, managed to get the third podium place, 3:58.6 behind the winner. 

Engadin La Diagonela – Top 3 Women

1. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, 2:41:31.1
2. Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, +3.0
3. Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, +3:58.6

Complete Engadin La Diagonela results can be found HERE

SKI CLASSICS COMPETITIONS – CURRENT STANDINGS

After Engadin La Diagonela, Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, and Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, lead the Champion Bib Competition. Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, and Simen Ramstad, Team Kaffebryggeriet, are carrying the Green bib of the Sprint Competition.  

Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, and Thomas Bing, eD system Silvini Team, carry the bib for the Climb Competition. The Pink Bib for the best Youth rests on Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Axel Jutterström, Team Eksjöhus.

Team Eksjöhus is the best Pro Team after Engadin La Diagonela.

Next up is Marcialonga on Sunday, January 28. The 70-kilometer classic race marks the seventh Ski Classics stage and Season XV’s first Grand Classics event.

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

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