Italian Roberto de Zolt, the winner of this season’s first long distance FIS Marathon Cup and World loppet Race, The Sgambeda, placed 3rd in the 2004 Birkie. He was less than 1 second from winning one of the closest races in the history of the race.
 so we’ll have to work on that for next year.</p>
<p>I did, however, have a chance to ask Roberto a few questions about his “Birkie experienceâ€:</p>
<p><B>Roberto, how did you experience the race? Â </B></p>
<p>“I had been sick lately with the flue and didn’t feel my strongest, but I was feeling well enough to race. I felt pretty good during the race, but it became a (very) hard race with all the new snow.   </p>
<p>“I was in the lead group for the entire race. After a few kilometers there were only 4 Italians, Rezac and a Canadian athlete. Then Justin Wadsworth joined us and at “half race†some other athletes were back in our group as well. At the 38th kilometer we Italians were skiing faster again, but not fast enough to drop the (two or three) “strangers” behind.</p>
<p>“At the end of the race 6 people were “sprinting” and I was able to finish 3rd. It was very excitingâ€.</p>
<p><B>You arrived from Europe only two days before the race. Did Jet lag affect your performance?</B></p>
<p>“No, I don’t think it was a factor but it would be interesting to travel over a week ahead and see if I could feel even betterâ€.</p>
<p><B>How was the grooming and your skis?</B></p>
<p>“The track was well prepared; we Italians had very goods skis prepared with SOLDA F31 Violet and HP05â€.</p>
<p><B>Where are you racing next?</B></p>
<p>“My next races are: Marcia Bianca (long distance race) and the week later another long distance race The Val Ridanna and later a FIS Marathon Cup race The Engadin inSwitzerlandâ€.</p>
<p><B>Good Luck!</B></p>
<p>“Thanks and thanks to the organizers of the Birkie for putting on such a good eventâ€</p>
<p>Â </p>
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FasterSkierFebruary 26, 2004Italian Roberto de Zolt, the winner of this season’s first long distance FIS Marathon Cup and World loppet Race, The Sgambeda, placed 3rd in the 2004 Birkie. He was less than 1 second from winning one of the closest races in the history of the race.
