Stanislav Rezac from Czech Republic and Christina Paluselli from Italy won the third FIS Marathon Cup 2003/04 race, König Ludwig Lauf (50 km C) on Sunday. The Konig Ludwig Lauf has both classic and free technique divisions, but the classic race is a Worldloppet and FIS Marathon Cup points race, so all the big guns were classic skiing.
For Rezac it was the first victory in FMC series in season 2003/04, last year he finished second in Jizerska padestka, Marcialonga, König Ludwig Lauf and Tartu Maraton and third in Vasaloppet. Paluselli, who did not participate in the Cup last season, won also Jizerska padesatka before König Ludwig Lauf.
Jörgen Aukland (NOR), König Ludwig Lauf and FIS Marathon Cup winner from last year, finished 1,2 sec after Rezac second. Mattias Svahn (SWE) finished 4,8 sec later third.
Sofia Lind (SWE) finished 1,5 min after Paluselli and second among ladies. Lara Peyrot, who dominated in the FIS Marathon Cup last season by winning 5 races out of 8, including König Ludwig Lauf, lost to Lind 1,9 sec and finished third.
The highest placing Americans were Monique Merrill (12th female) and Peter Swenson (21st male) in the 50K Free Technique. Swenson is the older brother of US Ski Team star Carl Swenson.
Both Mihhail Botvinov (AUT, 11. place in König Ludwig Lauf) and Christina Paluselli continue as the leaders of the Cup.
Among men Stanislav Rezac is now second (27 points behind), Raul Olle (EST) and Silvio Fauner (ITA) share the third place, being 34 points behind. Among the ladies Peyrot is second (40 points behind) and Sofia Lind third (85 points behind).