Mezzalama 2015, all is set of Saturday's start

The route of the XXth edition of this "glacier marathon" is now ready and the most technical sections on the Lyskamm Nose and Mount Castor have been marked and made safe thanks to more than 1200 meters of fixed ropes. As previously announced, the big news this year is that the course has been completely reversed and now starts at Gressoney La Trinité instead of Cervinia. This town will now be the finish and the switch was made to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn.

The competition begins on Saturday morning at 5:00 am, with the lifts opening at 4:00. Until 8:30 the lifts are free for all spectators. Those who cannot be in loco can follow the event live with the web streaming from 9:15 to 11:15. In the meantime, here are he latest photos taken by Marco Spataro about the race course and on the works at altitude.


ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Gressoney-La-Trinité 1,637m START lined up
Alpe Gabiet 2,342m
Orestes Hütte Hut 2,600m Optional replenishment
Mantova Hut 3,500m 1st time check and replenishment
Naso del Lyskamm 4,100m replenishment
Quintino Sella Hut on Felik 3,585m 2nd time check and replenishment
Castor 4,226m replenishment
Verra Pass 3,848m change of equipment change of equipment
Schwarz Tor 3,700mchange of equipment change of equipment
Colle del Breithorn 3,826m change of equipment change of equipment
Plateau Rosà 3,500m change of equipment change of equipment
Breuil-Cervinia 2,000m FINISH
Overall approximate distance: 45 km
Altitude differences uphill 3,430m; downhill 2,867m

GRESSONEY SAINT JEAN – Friday 1st May 2015
Sporthaus Gymnasium
10:30- 18:00 Consignment of bibs for the 20th Mezzalama Trophy and equipment check
14:00– 18:00 Accreditation of journalists and guests
14:00- 19:00 Sporthaus Gym – Postmarking service with postcards of the event
18:00 Sporthaus Gym – Official prize-giving ceremony for winners of junior competition and obligatory technical briefing for team leaders

GRESSONEY LA TRINITE'– Saturday 2nd 2015
Busca Thédy Area
4:00 Stafal-Gabiet-Salati and Indren ski-lifts open Ascent free from 4:00 to 8:30. Direct access to lifts without paying at the ticket office.
4:15-5:15 ARVA check
5:00 START of 20th edition of the Mezzalama Trophy

BREUIL CERVINIA – Saturday 2nd 2015
6:00 Opening of Breuil-Cervinia/Plateau Rosà lift system. Ascent free from 6:00 to 8:00. The public may proceed directly to the lift without paying at the ticket office. The ticket office and ski-slopes will observe normal opening hours.
9:00-17:00 Postmarking service available at the Italian Post Office gazebo at the finish-line in Cretaz.
Free post-cards of the event will be available.
9:15-11:15 Live online streaming of race
12:00 (approx.) Podium flower ceremony: winners of 20th Edition on stage and press conference
16:00 AWARD CEREMONY

Info: www.trofeomezzalama.org