Engadin Ski Marathon - racing tips

NEW - GB results for this year's race

This year again there are lots of British skiers entered for the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland. I have the following tips -

1.  Get a really good race wax the day before the race - the local ski hire shops will do this for you, I got mine done by the Holmenkollen team at the race village area, and they did a very good job (it costs a bit, but in the scheme of things it's good value);
2.  Make sure your pole straps are not too loose - otherwise you might lose your poles, esp if someone skis over them.  Try to be a bit careful so this doesn't happen, esp at the start.  The marshalls will give you spare poles if you break one (which you have to give back at the end) but the pole replacement stations may be several KMs ahead;
3.  Keep an eye on the weather forecast, generally they're very good.  On a couple of occasions it's been very cold - if the forecast is below minus 10 beware - wrap up warm & windproof.  Anything above minus 6 is very nice, and you shouldn't need to wear more than a couple of layers (eg helly hansen top, plus lightish breathable top / race suit);
4.  You can leave your skis in the race-pen before the race, some people do this to get a position as far forward as possible.  Do this if you like, but don't forget where you put them!
5.  Generally it's a bit cold at the start, but normally you warm up quickly as soon as you start racing.  You can wear a binliner / ancient clothes and discard them just before the start - this will keep you warm;
6.  It might be worth bringing some energy gels / Harribo sweets (my favourite) in case you run low on energy.  My advice would be to grab some energy at the filling stations BEFORE YOU GET HUNGRY.  The normal Rivella drink is excellent, the Rivella Sport is best avoided.  A water bottle / belt might be a good thing to have, but I've rarely found it necessary.  I think these are better than Camelbacks though, which tend to get you sweaty and restrict movement a bit;
7.  At the start you can gain some valuable extra places by jumping into the classic tracks and double poling for all you are worth!!  Then jump back into the skating tracks and into the general throng.  Do this if you feel you're being held up and your skis are fast;
8.  Don't aim for a particular time - speeds vary massively from year to year depending on snow / weather conditions. The first 10k is a lot faster than the next 10k;
9.  If you've entered the 42k, you can bail out at 21k and they'll take your time for 21k (doesn't work the other way round);
10.  Overall it's slightly downhill, but the last 2k is a bit hilly - don't be put off by this - in the downhills, get into the classic tracks in a tuck and you'll go fast;
11.  Remember all that technique stuff...