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Samuel Rindlisbacher in<br />
good shape at the halfway<br />
mark in Pontresina:<br />
"It's going well!"<br />
A breather with Pippa Middleton<br />
We catch up with him again in Pontresina, the finish point for the half<br />
marathon: as predicted, Samuel Rindlisbacher arrives at the food and drink<br />
station after one and a half hours. Dozens of volunteers line the edges of<br />
the course, handing out drinks to the thirsty participants. Music, party tents<br />
and barbecued sausages: the atmosphere here gives the spectators some<br />
idea of what the celebrations will be like at the finish in S-chanf. Pippa<br />
Middleton has just whizzed past, the loudspeakers announce. Prince William’s<br />
sister-in-law finishes in 233 rd position (out of 494) in her category.<br />
Samuel Rindlisbacher is also doing well at the halfway mark: "I got off to a<br />
really nice start across the lake", he tells us. "But the Staz forest just outside<br />
Pontresina is always hard going <strong>–</strong> however, I’m happy with my time so far."<br />
Party mood in S-chanf<br />
By car we <strong>–</strong> naturally <strong>–</strong> reach the finishing line long before the marathon<br />
skiers. Although: the fastest participants cover the 42-km distance between<br />
Maloja and S-chanf on cross-country skis in less than ninety minutes.<br />
Our man from the RhB takes a little longer: Samuel Rindlisbacher<br />
crosses the finishing line after three hours and 33 minutes. He is very<br />
happy: "I was only one minute slower than last year! I enjoyed myself and<br />
felt really great up to the halfway mark. But the 'Golan heights' at the end<br />
were really quite tough. There are two or three brutal climbs <strong>–</strong> everyone is<br />
made to suffer so close to finishing." He has no trouble whatsoever in retrieving<br />
his stuff from army truck no. 21. Perfect organisation, like he said.<br />
And then a satisfied Samuel Rindlisbacher disappears among the crowds<br />
of skiers and spectators milling around the food and drink stands, bands<br />
playing carnival music and massage tents.<br />
48<br />
www.rhb.ch/contura