It was a year of extremes. We were all convinced that we were returning to normal, but we found ourselves catapulted into an even more difficult condition.
Last year it seemed impossible to run, there were DPCMs and restrictions, there was fear, but once we understood the rules we were able to organise clear rules and conditions. Instead this year we rushed into the spread of the new variants after the summer normality that we were able to enjoy in the summer, also thanks to vaccines.
So we began to hope for a January of normality, but instead it was much more difficult, the regulations were changing all the time and the epidemiological situation, together with the right rules, created major defections in staff and participants. 2500 paying subscribers on the site, just over 1500 in attendance at the event. In these times, this is a formidable result, but one that must be put into perspective with respect to the performance and the emotional expectation of the people. One thousand people did not turn up because in almost all cases they contracted Covid in the few days before the race.
A few hours before the start, we decided to support them, reimbursing up to 90% of the fee in the days before and 50% up to the day before the race, even though all costs had already been incurred. It will be hard for us to cope with this effort, but the decision was only possible thanks to the volunteers, who self-taxed on costs already incurred to support it.
I have made mistakes, one in particular: I did not realise that lately people sometimes sign up without reading the rules, without respect for the staff and without the appropriate physical preparation.
So from next year there will be two organisational turning points.
The first: maximum simplification of the regulations, with the elimination of all extra options such as sending the bib home or to the shop near home. They proved to be boomerangs because many people complained about having to reserve their bib or did not go to pick it up. In the end, giving an extra service only created organisational difficulties. A single option will therefore be given, which will allow large numbers to be handled more efficiently. It must be realised that today's runner is less attentive, reads less, prepares less and criticises more.
The solution is therefore simplification and schematisation, channelling choices and zeroing in on the possibility of error.
We will also increase the effort on safety and control, which we have already done this year, as we have disqualified many competitors. Some were reimbursed before the race, some refused to listen to the briefing, others did not want to bring the obligatory material or were simply unprepared for the race, and willingly accepted the move to other distances. We need more security and information, we need to block access to the event to those who are not prepared for it, both because of a context of growing unpreparedness and superficiality, and because of the large numbers we are recording. Situations that require us to abandon amicable, home-grown management with last-minute changes, and focus on efficiency and fluidity in the management of large numbers.
The big points to work on next year are therefore three: to see if Trieste will be able to welcome us as the mayor wants, to implement an administrative simplification and a strengthening of security aspects, and the hope of being able to repeat the arrival at PortoPiccolo with a closed coastline and a non-competitive event involving many people.
Volunteers were also halved, if not reduced to a third, due to COVID.
We were forced to rotate, shift and replace with incredible speed.
The credit for this success goes mainly to Max, who adapted the management scheme at an astonishing speed. We had to start from Sella Nevea with new friends and new collaborations starting with Fabio Toscan of Promoturismo Fvgwho made themselves uniquely available to make a spectacular start possible.
Unfortunately, although we were given the opportunity to clear the slopes of avalanches, it was not possible due to the strong wind. We therefore started from Bovecwhere we received a warm and unexpected welcome, from a place new to La Corsa della Bora.
Here, Slovenian authorities and administrative officials have been exceptionally helpful and open, I am thinking of Director Manuela Božič Badalič of the Kanin Ski Consortium, Smučišče Kanin with also Milan and Marko, who opened the facilities just for us, enabling us to realise this dream. A Občina Bovec, Municipality of Bovec who welcomed us, to Aleks and Maruša of the Bovec Golf Club. To them, I would like to thank them as strongly as I thank our Italian friends with whom we worked throughout the year, even though we were unable to make the start from Sella Nevea.
From Bovec we descended towards Kobarid at - TŠD Gams Kobarid where AlbinLjubo and Branko welcomed the competitors. From Kobarid, along the snowy slopes of the Marajur, you go up to the refuge Solariwith Fabrizio and all the guys from Trieste Mountain Rescue, who worked to keep all the Julian Alps. I'm thinking of Gabriele Pellizzer, Stefano Perper, Lorenzo 'Lollo', Erik and all the guys from Trieste Alpine Rescue: Barelli Stefano, Bevilacqua Matteo, Cassio Giulio, Cecchini Anna, Clemente Andrea, Cosola Davide, Costanzo Alessandro, Il grande Giuseppe, Rizzo Cristiano, Romano Daniele, Rondi Stefano.
With them also Adriano Rinaldi always present both as Alpine Rescueor as S1 Medical Coordinator. Thank you Luca Onofrio, the head of the Alpine Rescue of Cave del Predil. Friends of the Gorsko Reševanjethe Slovenian Mountain Rescuewith Benjamin and the entire team of Ajdovscinawho have also been friends for many years with safety on the Slovenian slopes. Almost a dozen rescue operations were carried out for the competitors on the night of seven to eight January, all of whom were brought to safety within minutes and without any serious injuries. Precisely because of the skill of these guys who were based at the Casoni Solarie Refugewhere Fabrizio and the hut manager welcomed everyone until 4 a.m., when the last scheduled passage was at 1 a.m.
The athletes then arrived at the refuge Korada, Okrepčevalnica Korada with Milojko's hot soups.
The Ipertrail vehicle started from Kanal. This town of great beauty, on the river Sočawill be the starting point for the new Ultra. Thanks to TIC Kanal and Nika for giving us a new start line.
Next stage: Poi Solkan with Jana welcomed the boys.
Extremely important is the work of Renato and Klavdija, two family members and pillars of this event, general coordinators of this Slovenian branch, also coordinating transport, logistics and security. With them, we meet throughout the year to discover new routes, crossing the border several times, switching naturally from Italian to Slovenian, united by the experience of living sport, nature and friendship as a unique experience with the whole group Ekipa Počasni a Drzni with Valter, Nataša, Mateja, Peter. And the refreshments of KS Črniče (Suzana), Okrepčevalnica Črniče (Polona in Dimitrij), ŠD Debela Griža, Okrepčevalnica Volčji Grad (Damjan, Stojan), Okrepčevalnica Podgorje (Havijer in Miha), Okrepčevalnica Brgod (David, Andrej in družba), Prevozi Blaž, Jakob in Martin, Monitoring (Vlado in Brane) and photos by Gregor Bizjak.
Special thanks to Podbrdo Trail Running Festival who managed the refreshment of Castelletto: Okrepčevalnica Kastelec ekipa PTRF. Friends and collaborators for many years.
Great work was also done by the drivers on the Slovenian side, Jakob, Martin and Blaž, who worked for hours on complex, often icy roads, bringing the competitors to safety. Watching over them from the 24-hour operations room were first Vlado and then Brane, and then again Denise on Sunday: a great job.
Sunday was characterised by five races at the same time as the start of the 80 km. Throughout this entire period Matteo Incaudo did my duties on the Slovenian side, coordinating and representing the Race Direction flawlessly. And during the race Matteo was an 'Alter Ego' of mine, who carried an important part of the burden of race management on his shoulders. Before the event, with Giorgio, he organised both the plotting and the technical coordination of the course in an impeccable manner. An excellent team effort, complementing with a physical and active presence a great organisational and administrative job that I have to do during the year.
During the departures on the night of 8-9 January, Gilberto and Gibbo were present from the start with the animation, which warmed the spirits and involved everyone with contagious enthusiasm, a lot of heart and great professionalism. Special thanks to Gilberto who made the prize-giving ceremony unforgettable.
The work of all the boys in the balancing team and brooms, who first marked and then cleared the routes, and some of them also took care of the secretariat. I would like to thank Giorgio Pierobon (coordinator), Anna Wiatr (who worked on several fronts), Matteo Scarso, Adriano Amaricci, Lorenzo Pellizari, Serena Kuhar, Davide Marusic, Davide Dagri, Piertomaso Carraro, Luca Zappaterra, Maurizio Glavina, Daria Negro, Carlotta Ponzani, Nazzareno Salpikis, Laura Pieretti, Beatrice Borella, Lorenzo del Soccorso Alpino, and Roberto Vascotto for the marking. For the brooms: Roberto Rovelli, Marco Galiazzo, Valentino Spigariol, Gianluca Pagazzi, Elena Polloni, Riccardo Oddi, Andrea Ruffoni, Simonetta Oddi, Sabrina Zane, Simone Serraiotto, Primo Casagrande, Claudio Checchin, Beatrice Borella, Monica Foffano, Erica Lazzari, Davide Zanetti, Maurizio Glavina, Davide Fioraso, Lorenzo Soligo, Simone Morbiato, Lara Bailo, Gilles Pagnussat. For the secretarial work I thank Romina Crepaldi, Marco Tricarico, Alessandro Menato, Davide Zanetti, Enrico Schiocchet and Rita, Piertomaso Carraro, Laura Pieretti.
The paths were secured with the help of the Mountain Rescue with the Gorizian Green Cross, ASE Motosoccorsothe refreshments organised in collaboration with the local communities, the Premuda Shelter, the Obelisk, Contovello and the Santa Croce Community and SKD - CCS Vesnaa new entry that gave us one of the most beautiful views of the Gulf of Trieste.
For Aurisina we thank A.s.d.c.s.d. Sokol, Občinska telovadnica v Nabrežini Aurisina Municipal Gymnasium for availability. For departures, the enormous cooperation of Trieste Athletics, but above all Omar, Corrado and Sabino, family people who made the event grow together with us, followed the starts, helped with the pick-ups and spent three days without sleep, with a lot of energy and participation. It is good to see the cooperation between clubs, in the future we also want to be so present and strong in the activities of Trieste Atletica.
The Trieste Karst was a route that saw, as always, the refreshment area of FLINKO dredge, to the refreshment of Premuda David and Daniele Gombac with Carlotta and her husband Alessio with Davide and I LUPI, who did an incredible job. I would also like to thank Davide who at Campsite Obelisco with the whole family, as well as the very powerful Cinzia, who with her ristobar Obelisk welcomed us with his smile and overwhelming friendliness.
A Contour Roberto and Neva welcomed us into their home together with Paolo and Tiziana, my parents, who have been involved in this activity for many years to give support and participate. Thanks go to Andrej, Cristiano and Gianfranco with the Commune of Santa Crocegreat friends, organised and helpful, who made this food and wine refreshment experience unique. For the typical products we have to thank, in particular, Promoturismo Fvgthe Prosciutto di San Daniele Consortium and the Consortium for the Protection of Montasio Cheese, Eppinger, Alc di Bon, Pomis, Agribirrificio Villa Chazil, Birra Garlatti Costa, CocamboThanks to Nicola Relevant and Eleonora Serpelloni for coordinating and assisting the refreshment team to provide local delicacies at every stop along this long route.
In Aurisina there was then the return of the Red Tiesbecause after the absence of the Covid edition, there was full deployment in this very difficult edition. It was a pleasure to have them back with us on the front line, thanks to Pierpaolo and the whole team, we missed you last year. We don't want any more race editions without you! Alessandro Giacomelli, Aurora Giovannini, Ciro Ruggiero, Dario Lonzaric, Ennio Cotognini, Enrico Michelazzi, Livio Fogar, Mauro Pierazzi, Nadia Chebar, Pierpaolo Purelli.
Regarding the new arrival at PortoPiccolo, We hope all participants enjoyed it. It was difficult to resume relations with the facility because the vocations are apparently different, but we managed to create a relationship of cooperation and mutual respect. There are points to be improved, but there is all the will to work on them, given the spectacular nature of the place, the great potential, and the excellent working relationship created. Thanks to Luigi Candida, Elena Piazza and Roberto Piermarini for organisational support.
Also important is the help of Fvg Roads which demonstrated the elasticity and dynamism of a small company, even though it is one of the largest organisations in the region. Very quick replies, changes of programme managed instantly, maximum courtesy and collaboration at all times, both at administrative and operational level in the field Thank you FVG STRADE. We say goodbye and thank you to Giovanni Vargiu, who after so many years of support and collaboration says goodbye to us, and will once again be able to devote himself to practising sport. Thinking of the Coast, one cannot but think of the commander of the Local Police Manlio Pellizzon, for the Municipality of Duino Aurisina and their patrols who on Sunday afternoon gave support to the operators in Coastal and to Sistianato the constant presence in the area of Local Police Commander Sandor Bucavez for the Municipality of Dolina, e The Port Authority which allowed us to pass, in addition to the patrols of the Trieste Local Police and Mauro Bunz.
There were major organisational problems this year with logistics and the Trieste events office. We would like to thank Mayor Dipiazza, who was present at the awards ceremony and who personally made this event in Trieste possible. Our gratitude goes to him and he deserves the credit for having made so many tourists see the beauty of our city and made so many Triestines enjoy it in a different light. We hope that with the mayor and deputy mayor Serena Tonel, the will to do will prevail over the problems: may the will of the SE POL continue to prevail over the NON SE POL
Thanks to Matteo Fabris and all the Duino Aurisina Events Officewho stood by us and believed in us this year as every year.
For the closure of the coastal road I address a thank you to the Prefecture and institutionswho made this event possible safely and hopefully this will be a stimulus to create something even bigger and non-competitive next year, without the Covid and with the Coast closed.
A thought for my friend Giorgio Mior of theAics Fvgwith his experience and knowledge helped us a lot, Councillor Pizzimenti and Trieste Transport have helped us provide for a formidable transport reinforcement service, the Municipality of Duino Aurisina mayor Daniela Pallotta and councillor Massimo Romita made this event possible, and of course the mayor of Trieste Roberto Dipiazza. Gratitude also goes to Municipalities of San Dorligo della Valle - Dolina, Chiusaforte, Savogna, Grimacco, Drenchia, Stregna, Tarvisio and Prepotto.
Our gratitude also goes to the representatives of the institutions and associations, with whom there has always been cooperation and support, and some of whom were present at the awards ceremony: in addition to the mayors of Trieste and Duino Aurisina, we would like to thank the Regional Councillor Pierpaolo Roberti, the delegate CONI Trieste Ernesto Mari, the president of Trieste Atletica Alessio Lilli. They were unable to join us at the final ceremony but sent us messages of greeting from the regional councillors for environmental protection Fabio Scoccimarro and sport Tiziana Gibelli, the mayor of San Dorligo - Dolina Sandy Klun, the councillor for sport Antonio Ghersinich, the president of the Fidal Fvg Massimo di Giorgio and for Promoturismo Fvg the Marketing Director Bruno Bertero and Nicola Relevant. From a practical point of view, it was Promoturismo FVG and Friuli Venezia Giulia Region to give us great support. Both institutionally and in terms of advice and guidance in the organisational process, and in this sense the advice and experience of Bruno Bertero and Nicola Relevant brought irreplaceable value and help to the event. Thank you, wholeheartedly, and thank you for what you not only gave to the event, but also allowed me to learn from your experience.
Thanks also to the Civil Defencethat Francesco Fattorello, head of the Duino Aurisina municipal team who helped us coordinate and with his boys watched over the safety of the runners on the Karst ridge with Napolitano Silvia, Dapretto Corrado, Guarrino Nicola. Thanks to Radivo Christian, Doljak Denis, Milič Denis, Timeus Matija, Košuta Rok, Luxa Kristjan of the Civil Defence of Sgonico. From the Protezione Civile of Monfalcone came, Bidoli Bruna, Matteo di Riccardo, Orzan Sabrina. We had very few non-serious medical interventions, and our doctor Adriano Rinaldi put in an impeccable control. The Trieste, Muggia and Gradisca units were also present, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Susanna de Mottoni and Nicola Santini were by my side throughout the event, but also Max and Chiara, Roberto and Neva, people for whom I have not spent a specific word because they have been present all year round, supporting me in the organisation. Chiara prepared the transport logistics with incredible precision and Max coordinated the security, transport and organisational part together with me, not with the commitment of a secondary activity but with the participation of those who have a strong connection with the event.
And speaking of people always working for the race, 24 out of 24 and 365 days a year, I immediately think of Roberto and Neva. Neva with her explosive energy, Roby with his calm and perseverance. Like me, like Max and Chiara and Matteo, they play a glue and coordinating role on several fronts. It is the dinners and meetings with them, the chats on summer evenings first and autumn evenings later, that dictate the line of the event.
As always, Francesco Toneguzzo stood by us like a true friend and took care of the bib distribution, always with a smile and a lot of determination. Susanna, my sister, took care of public relations and the management of the competitors, taking on all the most difficult challenges, in fact anyone who had a problem turned to her.
Among the new entries we thank Stefano Pribetti at thepress office, Denise on monitoring, Enrico and Rita, who it is as if they had been working with us forever.
Thanks to 'Dapelo', another Matthew joins Team S1 this year. He coordinates the timekeeping and thanks to him this year, for the first time in the history of the race, the rankings were ready instantly and without errors with entirely self-managed timing.
Thanks to Claudio and Rosalba for their help in preparing the race bibs and managing the warehouse; I would also like to thank Davide for distributing the bibs, Trail of Heroes, and Alessandro, Beatrice C., Anna, Romina and Beatrice, Piertommaso and Laura, Fulvio, Yaryna, Rossella, Francesco, Marco, the ever-present Alessandro Giadrossi with his entire team from the WWF, Francesca and Aurora and the school children, coordinated by Prof. Anna. Thanks also to Enzo for the warehouse.
Present on the course were the guys from Terroir Film and Streaming Bergomas: they brought you race updates in video and photos in almost real time. Well done.
Special thanks to Matteo Indri and his maiden for the artistic photos of the competition, which have been with us for so long and hopefully will continue to be so for much longer.
Also for the refreshments we must remember the work of many people: Chiara, who noted the logistics two days in advance and organised the mobile refreshment, reducing waste and ensuring that no one lacked anything. Rita, who tirelessly provided support at the final refreshment point before and after the race, Enrico, who ensured that all the athletes at the finish line found food, enthusiasm and smiles, and Daria, who was a true parachute just when we were most tired, and who put her wonderful little girls Giorgia and Alice to work preparing sandwiches for the athletes at the finish line. Finally, Barbara Bertoia, Ruggero Isernia (who did not stop even after running the Ipertrail), Giancarlo and Sagna from Croatia.
A special thanks to Nicola, who in addition to being present as never before on the entire front of managing the refreshments, who with Chiara found a great system to reduce food waste to zero, listened to me and supported me throughout the year, particularly in times of difficulty and discouragement, his advice and words were the stimulus to keep going. But not only words of encouragement, he also helped to make the event known and appreciated by the national and international press.
Thanks again and see you in 2023: there will be surprises. More than you can imagine!
Being here is Wonderful
Tommaso de Mottoni