13 March 2003 - 21:33 Anual Ski Maraton Vasaloppet Women Ski Marathon in Samedan

An overall view of the start of the 79th annual long distance cross country race Vasaloppet in Saelen, Sweden, Sunday, March 2, 2003. More than 15,000 competitors were registered to ski the 90 kms from Saelen to the finish in Mora. The race was won by Swedish Oskar Svaerd and Joergen Aukland of Norway came in second. (AP Photo/Pressens Bild, Nisse Schmidt)

Some 904 cross country skiers make their way on the slopes near Samedan during the fourth women only Ski Marathon from Samedan to Schanf March 2, 2003. The women only marathon spans over 17 km in the Engadin Valley and will be followed next weekend by the 42 km Ski Marathon from Maloya to St. Moritz and Zuoz. REUTERS/Andy Metter