On Wednesday the 19th of January, I watched with hundreds of others as XC skiers from over 11 countries competed in the annual ski marathon, the Moonlight Classic.  The race is held in the evening of the full moon of January each year.  The event begins at 8:00pm along a course of either 36 or 20 kms.  Held high on the Alpe Di Siusi, in the heart of the Italian Alps, the event draws skiers and spectators from all over.  People are attracted not only for the race, but for the alphorns, moonlit scenery, and of course the food, beer and hot mulled wine found in the beerhall set up for the event.  Even the gondola from the village of Siusi far below stays open until the early morning hours so that everyone can enjoy!