[Performance development in the Engadin ski marathon].

All competitions of the Engadin Ski marathon were analyzed in order to pursue the development of the participants' performances over time. Of special interest was the influence of the recently introduced free skating technique on the finish times. Statistical computations are based on quantiles (x0.1, x0.25, x0.5, x0.75, x0.9). Since the first competition in 1969, there is a continuous increase of performance. The introduction of the fast freestyle-technique didn't lead to a visible improvement of the performances. Probably, other variables like growing importance of leisure-time sport-leading to greater performance capability of the participants- and considerable progress in the development of the equipment contributed to the performance progress over time.