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The Inline skating races at the 38th edition of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON produced two sensational results: Sabine Berg from Gera won the women’s title in a mass sprint and the Frenchman Ewen Fernandez took the men’s crown after a daring breakaway from 21 kilometres.

For the first time in 12 years a German stood on top of the podium. The 21-year-old Sabine Berg (Powerslide Matter World Team) clocked 1:14:56 to beat both the previous year’s winner Giovanna Turchiarelli (ITA/Alessi World Team, 1:14:56) as well as Tina Struever (Experts Race Team, 1:14:56) in a sprint to the line. “I was in an excellent position for the sprint, after the Brandenburg Gate I was second and had a good view of Giovanna. Berlin is the biggest skating marathon there is. It’s simply fantastic to win here,” said Sabine Berg after the race. “During the race the CadoMotus team with Jana Gegner attempted some breakaways but we always had everything under control,” was how Sabine Berg described the race tactics. The third woman across the line also came from Germany. Tina Struever from Halle benefited from what happened to Giovanna Turchiarelli. “There was a lot of pushing and shoving in the home straight. I was doing my best behind Giovanna which turned out well for me. I had a clear path behind her to go for third place,” said Tina Struever.

Men’s Race had spectacular solo effort

“Berlin is the most important marathon in the world. Everyone wants to win here, I’m so happy,” said the Frenchman Ewen Fernandez (Powerslide Europe) after his victory. The tempo was high from the start for the men and there were numerous breakaway attempts. The strong favourites Yann Guyader and Joey Mantia wanted to stake their claim but their best efforts came to nothing. It was at 21 kilometres that Ewen Fernandez from France made the decisive breakthrough. One chasing group, including Felix Rijhnen, Julien Levrard, Roger Schneider and Nicolas Iten, were able to get within 20 metres of him but no closer. “I kept looking straight ahead. My mental strength is better since I spent the winter training on ice,” was how Fernandez explained his recipe for success in skating solo from 21 kilometres – and maintaining a very high tempo as his winning time of 1:01:26 shows. The second finisher Roger Schneider (Swiss Skate Team) crossed the line more than a minute later in 1:02:38. He was able to break away 800 metres from the finish and beat his team-mate Nicolas Iten as well as Julien Levrard and Matteo Amabili.

“Hats off to the Powerslide team, they made life very difficult for us today. We were surprised that they were so strong,” said Schneider after the race. Third placer Julien Levrard clocked 1:02:43 to claim his place on the podium.

6,752 competitors took part in brilliant sunshine, providing a complete contrast to the rain-soaked experience of the 2010 marathon. The day began with the traditional SCC Skating Kids Cup for the younger generation. A record entry of 150 children ranging from 6 to 13 years showed what they could do in the season’s finale for this Mini-Series for youngsters. As with the adult skaters, the children’s race passed off accident-free.

Men’s Results:
Ewen Fernandez, FRA/Powerslide Europe – 1:01:26
Roger Schneider, CH/Swiss Skate Team – 1:02:38
Julien Levrad, FRA/Rollerblade Going Top – 1:02:43

Women’s Results:
Sabine Berg, Gera/Powerslide Matter World Team – 1:14:56
Giovanna Turchiarelli, ITA/Alessi World Team – 1:14:56
Tina Struever, Halle/Experts Race Team – 1:14:56