TRIATHLON

Tara and Cominardi: ICON Livigno Xtreme Triathlon speak italian

By ICON Livigno Xtreme Triathlon

In the morning of the ICON Livigno Xtreme 2017 race there is a light rain but overall it looks like the weather conditions will allow the development of the race according to the program.
 
There are about 100 athletes at the start. Severe weather forecasts have an impact on the participation of many athletes, originally included in the start list.

The swim course is reduced to 2600 meters because of very low water temperatures: the first athlete to arrive in T1 is a woman, the Belgian Marieke Blomme. The Swiss Steve Mazzucco is just a short distance behind her.

The bike course seems very critical right from the first kilometres. Weathers conditions that are getting worse and worse, added to the gain elevation of the course, make this race extremely challenging. The athletes, supported by their Support teams, carry on cycling with maximum care and facing a cold and heavy rain that at times becomes snow.
 
 
According to the race program, that bike course should consist of Forcola Pass (2315m),  Bernina Pass (2323), Fuorn Pass (2149m), the 48 hairpin bends of Stelvio Pass up to Foscagno Pass (2291m). Athletes should then reach Trepalle di Livigno where T2 is located.  

Once the first athletes arrive in Engandina, it is clear that the weather conditions are getting worse and that the organization has to change plans.

Once the first athletes descent the Fuorn Pass, in order to ensure their safety, the organization decides to change the cycling route by stopping athletes before the climb of Stelvio Pass.  All the athletes still in the race are directed towards Livigno, to the Gallo tunnel.

Once at the tunnel, each of them is taken by its own support car up to the end of the tunnel, with the timing stopped, and will then be allowed to reach T2 at Tre Palle, as stated in the program.

Amongst the men, Steve Macuzzo is still leading the race, followed by the Norwegian Solvold Odd Ivar just 15’ behind him. The first Italian, in third position, is Cristiano Tara, visibly tired because of the cold weather but still capable of keeping behind him the Dutch Winkelhorst and the German Schwencker.

This order remains the same up to T2. It is the running lap to give us the most exciting changes in the ranking.  Amongst the men the Italian Cristiano Tara becomes the protagonist, overtaking one by one all the athletes ahead of him in the first 10 kilometers of the running. After that his race becomes a solitary ride.

After that his race is a solitary ride towards the finish line. At the Costaccia shelter there are many spectators who show all their emotions after watching a really struggled race.
 
Amongst the women, the Austrian Rebecca Joslin shows an extraordinary character and leadership, and never gives up to the big difficulties of the day. The Belgian Marieke Blomme, while keeping an eye on the French Coralie Drouin behind her, constantly follows her.

The first Italian is Cristina Cominardi and she is fourth when she gets to T2.

The suprises are many also amongs the women. Cristina cominardi manages to come back in a  unstoppable way. She becomes the protagonist thanks to an amazing run which gives her the highest place in the podium and the 10th position in the overall ranking. The Australian Rebecca Joslin, who was the leader up to the last few kilometers from the finish line, can't keep up and finishes in second position beacuse of a heavy crisis. The belgian Marieke Blomme completes the podium.
 
This edition of ICON Livigno Triathlon Xtreme has been very difficult but once again this event has been able to make people dream. The Organization would like to thank all the volunteers who tried everything so that the severe weather conditions would not stop the realization of a dream. Thanks to Livigno who opened its arms to athletes and to the organizations. Thanks to the Costaccia Shelter, within the Mountain Park at Carosello 3000,  ho took care and fulfilled the dreams of all those great men and women who finished this challenge and touched all of us.