An Italian town has been included for the second time in the history of the Telemark World Cup racing calendar: La Thuile.

The races will be contested over the same run which hosted three women’s World Cup races in February 2016 and two Telemark world cup races in January 2017. Piste number 3 in the ski area, named after Franco Berthod, an athlete who helped forge the history of Alpine skiing in La Thuile, is one of the most technically interesting: it’s a black run which descends from Les Suches plateau through the forests above La Thuile, reaching the town after almost three kilometres of challenging walls and sweeping corners.

This year, among men, Nicolas Michel (SUI) will defend his title, while among women, Amelie Reymond (SUI),returning from maternity, will contend the first positions with the German champion Johanna Holtzman. The athletes will compete on January 20 in the Sprint discipline (Men and Ladies) and on January 21 in the Classic discipline (Men and Ladies).

The races will be broadcasted in live.

The spectators present in the parterre, easily reachable on foot from the village, will be able to live the emotions of the direct on the big screen placed in front of the stands.

Telemarking is a very ancient way of enjoying snow. The name comes from Norway and is down to the skill of a carpenter known as the father of telemarking, Sondre Norheim. He loved skiing so built himself some basic equipment and won a ski jumping competition, landing with the characteristic bent knees of this discipline.
This technique, which is characterised by its unmistakable bend, witnessed other moments of glory and, in all respects, was the forerunner of skiing. Since 2006, this unmistakable, elegant skiing maneuvre has been combined successfully with off-piste skiing and, thanks to developments with the equipment, has also begun to be used in Freeride and Freestyle skiing.