The World Snowshoeing Championships has closed with a resounding success the agenda of activities programmed in the Liébana region between 2 and 4 March. The race for the world snowshoeing title, of which the Proa Comunicación has been a partnerwas the main attraction of the organisation of an exclusive event, unique in Spain, and which has meant an important economic and social boost for the businessmen and inhabitants of the area.
The events began on Friday in Potes, where the opening ceremony was celebrated with a lively and colourful parade of countries through the old town.The participants and fans gathered at the Torre del Infantado. Afterwards, those present were able to enjoy a night-time spectacle of dancers, jugglers and fireworks which became a magnificent prelude to the sporting event.
The cold and windy Saturday morning did not prevent the more than 200 athletes registered for the world championships, accompanied by numerous enthusiasts, will use the Fuente Dé cable car to ascend to the circuit of a circuit of 8.5 kilometres with a positive difference in altitude of 400 metres through the area of the Lloroza lakes and the San Luis canal.
The winner of the senior men's race was the Frenchman Stephane Ricard, with a time of 46.24followed by the American, two minutes and one second behind. Joseph Gray and two minutes and thirty-two seconds behind Cantabrian Roberto Ruiz.
In the women's category, Michelle Hummel won with a time of 57.06, followed by Ragna Debats.just over four minutes behind, and Spain's Sandra Sevillanojust over eight minutes behind the winner. The Spanish team was also proclaimed World Team Champion in the men's category. In the women's category, they finished in second place.
In the junior men's category, the winner was the Briton William Griffiths, with a time of 38.34; and in the junior women's category, the American Soleyl Gaylord with a time of 35.40. After the official trials, there was an impressive non-competitive night racket unique and exclusive as never before the Fuente Dé cable car had opened at night to allow any sporting activity, in this experience participated more than 400 people.
The eleventh edition (first in Spain) of the World Snowshoeing Championships concluded with a dinner for all participants followed by the awards ceremony and the Picos Fest music festival, culminating a programme of activities that, according to the data of the Cantabria Regional Ministry of Tourism, has meant an economic return of 600,000 euros.. In addition, the celebration of this event has caused a significant hotel occupancy in the area, which has practically covered 100% of its offer.
According to the International Snowshoe Federation, the race organised by Picos Xtreme, with the collaboration of a multitude of companies and more than 150 volunteers, was "undoubtedly the best edition in history". A challenge to be overcome in 2019 with the confirmed date in the Dolomites (Italy), where a race will be held with more than 45 years of existence and with the presence of more than two thousand participants, including the non-competitive walk.
Óscar Sebrango, manager of the active mountain tourism company and organiser of the event, Picos Xtreme, expressed his satisfaction: "Everything went perfectly and, therefore, we are very pleased to have organised this World Championship. We hope to have achieved a great visibility of Cantabria outside Spain, which will lead to more sporting and other events being organised in the area in the future, attracted by an extraordinary landscape and culture".
The World Snowshoeing Championships have been supported by the Government of Cantabria, represented by the Department of Sports of the Government of Cantabria and the Lebaniego Jubilee Year Society.. The event is part of the programme of events for the Lebaniego Jubilee Year, an event that takes place every 4, 5 or 11 years, as is the case of the last celebration, and which coincides with the opening of the door of forgiveness in the Monastery of Santo Toribio, one of the 4 holy places of Christianity since the Middle Ages.