Pitturina Ski Race 2015 - it's full steam ahead!

Pitturina Ski Race, getting into the swing of things. Registration closes tomorrow and the first edition of the Vertical Race takes place on Friday

Pitturina Ski Race, it's time to get into the swing of things. Tomorrow registration closes and Friday will see the first edition of the Vertical Race
.
The Pitturina Ski Race, after the postponement of the date due to a lack of snow, is preparing to experience a busy week towards the start of the seventh edition which will be held on Sunday 1 March in Sega Digon in Val Comelico.
Michele Festini and his staff have been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to organise the race, which is intended to commemorate the terrible battles fought on the Pitturina during the First World War. The route, after the snowfalls of the past weeks, is ready and in the next few days it will be definitively signposted and secured.
Returning to the competition aspects, all competitors will receive as a gadget of the event a military backpack belonging to the Czechoslovak army containing "Zero Kilometre" products.
In addition, a notepad (an evolution of last year's 'La Pitturina' diary) will be distributed. In addition to the possibility of taking notes, it will contain all the information related to the race, and there will be historical notes linking our mountains with the infamous events of the Great War.
On Sunday morning, in conjunction with the Pitturina, the 'Io c'ero a Km Zero' rally will start. A "human transhumance" to be carried out by any means, on skis, snowshoes or simply on foot, which on the day of the Pitturina Ski Race will move towards Casera Melin, at the foot of the last demanding descent that takes the athletes from the Gran Premio della Montagna of Cima Vallona towards the finish line. Here there will be the party, made up of traditions, music, folklore, ancient customs and flavours. The feast of simple, ordinary people, of the fans who will come to admire the athletes in the race and of mountain lovers, valley inhabitants and volunteers. A unique opportunity to fully experience Pitturina and its unspoilt places, to spend a few hours away from commitments, work and city stress and to be able to say: 'I was there too at KmZero'.
At Casera Melin on 01 March 2015, there will be warm drinks, the warmth of a bonfire, the scents of the winter woods, and the carefree sounds of folk music. Thanks to our partner Montura, a splendid gadget will forever remind you of the experience.
The La Pitturina weekend will begin on Friday 27 January in the evening with a demonstration Vertical Race, starting from the hamlet of San Nicolò and finishing at the new Monte Zovo refuge.
Included in the Pitturina programme are a concert by the Living Dolls, which will be the backdrop to the Vertical Race, and the Winter Comelian Music Tour, which will take place in the venues of Val Comelico on Saturday afternoon.
As far as events closely connected to the Great War are concerned, in collaboration with the 3 Cime Alpine Guides, a series of ski-mountaineering and snowshoeing outings have been included in the programme to retrace the places that were the scene of bitter battles.
After the dates of 17 January and 7 February, snowshoes will be used to ascend Collesei on 21 February. Finally, on 14 March, this interesting initiative will end with an ascent with sealskins to Vallon Popera.
Registration closes tomorrow Tuesday, 24 February. All information and how to participate can be found at www.lapitturina.it.