Road To Vanoni: 10 Days To Go
It's just 10 days to go to this year's Trofeo Vanoni and, as per tradition, a press conference was held to present the Vanoni Trophy at the Council Hall of the Municipality of Morbegno (SO), Italy.
NEWS 2020
The GS CSI Morbegno’s Chairman Giovanni Ruffoni listed this year's main innovations: "Let's start with the programme: this year there will be no runners parade and a restricted ceremony for the deposition of the Laurel Crown at the Monument of the War Fallen, followed by Mass in the Church of St. John the Baptist. On Sunday the departure of the 43rd Minivanoni is brought forward to 8.30 a.m. and that of the 37th Women's Vanoni, which this year will be a relay race because of the Italian championship, at 10.30 a.m.".
COVID
The last DPCM did not modify the Covid protocols already agreed with the Italian Athletics Federation. "With technical delegate Simone Fuso, we examined everything that needs to be done to make athletes, spectators and organisers safe," explained Vice-President Marco Leoni, "starting from the grid at a distance with a mask for the first 500 metres to be kept with the runner throughout the course and to be worn if the interpersonal distance is not guaranteed. Along the route, in the points where spectators are usually numerous, and in the start/arrival area, corridors will be created to distance the athletes from the people present on the race track and the control staff will ensure that the public wear masks. The prize-giving ceremonies will take place outdoors, in Piazza S. Antonio, first the women at 5.00 pm, then the men at 5.40 pm, with a very streamlined ceremony. Also at the Minivanoni (junior race), there will be quick awards ceremonies at the end of each race to avoid the crowds. Needless to say, the change between runners cannot be made by hand. There will then be a large area reserved for athletes adjacent to the changing area for the tick before the start and while waiting for their turn. There will be no locker rooms and final refreshments.
TOP RUNNERS
Vanoni Trophy will be both an international level race and an Italian relay mountain running championship for the absolute and master categories. On an Italian level, the women's favourites are certainly Atletica Alta Valtellina with Elisa Sortini who is spoilt for choice for her partner, La Recatello Radici Group with Alice Gaggi and Samatha Galassi, Atletica Valle Varaita of the Ghelfi sisters and Atletica Saluzzo led by Alessia Scaini. Strong outsiders are the French Jade Rodriguez (junior national team) and Elise Poncet (second at world championships 2019 and third last year at Vanoni). For the men, the challenge of last year between Atletica Valle Brembana and Atletica Valli Bergamasche from Bergamo will certainly be repeated, boasting the best Italian athletes, but with attention to France with Julien Rancon, Alexandre Fine and Sylvain Cachard, with the latter recently winning Smarna Gora and Trofeo Nasego. Already third in 2019, if they won, the transalpines would definitely take home the Trophy dedicated to Minister Ezio Vanoni. Also looking for a place near the podium will be the Atletica Valchiese with Vender, Filosi and Merli, La Recastello Radici Group of the Cassol twins, as well as the British/Irish Team composed of Zak Hanna, Andrew Douglas and Ross Gollan who already in the past have created a storm on the trail of the Trofeo Vanoni relay race. Also expected are the representatives from the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia and the Republic of San Marino.
What numbers do the organisers expect? Chairman Giovanni Ruffoni is optimistic and fearlessly aims at 150 male and 50 female relay teams.
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CreditPhoto: Davide Vaninetti/FRV