Second day at the Nordic Arena with a 26 km skating race:
Compagnoni bides his time, attacks, and claims victory; Amhof 3rd and first in the combined event. Oona Kettunen dominates solo, winning the race and the combined ranking.
Ice-cold eyes and muscles of steel. Finland’s Oona Kettunen (Team Futura) is the winner of the Granfondo Toblach-Cortina in freestyle technique, and by adding yesterday’s second place in the classic race, she also secured first place in the combined ranking. On the men’s side, Luca Compagnoni (Team Internorm) took the win in a race decided midway through the second lap.
A grey, almost threatening sky framed the Nordic Arena of Toblach, where over 500 athletes tackled the 26 km course, partially inside the Nordic Arena cross-country stadium and extending through Val Fonda up to the War Cemetery.
In the men’s race, Compagnoni made his move in the final stages, shaking off his rivals, extending his lead with the support of teammate Davide Battagini, and taking the victory, marking his second podium in a week, after finishing second last Sunday at the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon. He reached the final straight all alone, celebrating with the crown around his neck and finishing 12 seconds ahead of the young Battagini (born 2005), who is just starting his ski marathons career. Third place went to South Tyrolean Manuel Amhof (14 seconds back), who focused more on the combined ranking and ultimately secured that victory with a comfortable margin over Ivo Nökler. Behind the podium trio, a tight battle unfolded for the “wooden medal,” won by Julian Brunner over Felix Pider, German Daniel Debertin, and Spanish Betriu.
In the women’s race, Oona Kettunen made her intentions clear from the start. By the end of the first lap, she already held a lead of about a minute, which she further extended despite the slightly slow snow due to high humidity. Julia Kuen, returning overnight from the Dolomitenlauf (which she won), tried to close the gap, but her skis did not perform optimally, and she focused on maintaining a position never threatened by France’s Oceane Bepoix (third). The three crossed the finish line with significant gaps, with Kettunen reaffirming her superiority after yesterday’s effort in a truly remarkable performance, finishing just five minutes behind the first male finisher.
Herbert Santer, President of the Organising Committee, expressed satisfaction at the end of the two-day event, praising both the high participation numbers and the successful compromise on the course layout, as well as the strong international presence on the podiums on both days.
With the 2026 edition concluded, thoughts already turn to the next year and the 50th edition, with the firm intentions to bring the Granfondo finish line back under the Cortina bell tower, according to the President, with Vice President Igor Gǒmbac giving a knowing nod.