Ski mountaineering races to Olympic debut

Many athletes in Bormio agreed that it differs greatly from the sport's traditional epic Alpine climbing, but they feel it will serve as a good introduction to ski mountaineering.

"It's like saying the 100 meters isn't a real race. It's true that when someone goes out running, they don't only do 100 meters normally, but I think it's the most followed event in the Summer Olympics," Italy's Nicolo Ernesto Canclini said. "Then there had to be this compromise for skimo to get into the Olympics. … Hopefully in the future there will be the more classic races too."

When asked whether he prefers the sprint or the longer races, Canclini said: "My favorite is when I'm without a race number and I just go up into the mountains and stop at a rifugio (mountain lodge) for a nice beer, that's the best ski mountaineering for me."

Home hero

For Canclini, next year's Olympics will be even more special as the races will be held on home snow.

Canclini, a two-time world champion, grew up in Bormio and lives about 300 meters from the slope.

"It's a great emotion to be racing at home," he said. "As a youngster I was an Alpine skier, so having seen all the greats race here on this slope, I dreamed of also racing here. Then I changed sport, and in the end I still got to race here.

"So it's a great satisfaction and feeling."

Canclini's grandparents, parents and other family and friends were at the bottom of the slope to cheer him on over that weekend.

Unfortunately, Canclini tripped during his ascent on foot in the qualifiers, losing about three seconds at the top as his skis became trapped in the strap holding them to his back. He failed to make it to the quarterfinals by less than a second.

"Everyone said to me, 'better that it happened this year than next'," Canclini said with a laugh. "But it would have been even better if it hadn't happened at all."

Agencies via Xinhua