WorloppetMagazine 2013

WORLDLOPPET
WORLDLOPPET
WORLDLOPPET
What is it ?
All information about the
organisation
THE WORLD OF MARATHON SKIING 2 0 1 6
THE NEW RACES
The reviews after the
first season
Tatjana MANNIMA
Peter NOVAK
Winner of the overall
FIS MC 2014/2015
From the Indian heat to the
Ski Tracks of the World
WORLDLOPPET RACE CALENDAR 2016
Foto: Magnus Östh
ADVENTURE
FOREWORD
Dear Worldloppet Friends,
Winter is now again “on our front door”. With the first races in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand already on the way, we are now waiting for the winter in the “northern part” of the world.
Worldloppet is going to be more and more “the voice of marathon skiing”, not only speaking for the 20
races associated to Worldloppet but also for many other races and Worldloppet friends.
The new FIS Worldloppet Cup already includes two races which are not part of the family, La Foulee
Blanche and the Ugra Ski Marathon. The door is still open for other interested races to join the cup.
For the cup, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU / Eurovision) will offer once again to more than 250associated TV stations a professionally produced 26 minutes highlight programme of the respective FIS
Worldloppet Cup race on race day evening.
Last winter, ALL RACES have been carried out successfully, even if many organizers could only save the
race by facing enormous costs. Not to forget here is the fantastic work of thousands and thousands of
volunteers without whom this challenge would not have been handable.
New in the Worldloppet Family is, that from now on, all MAIN RACES are able to assign FIS POINTS to
the top athletes. This is a huge step forward and a clear sign of a good and sincere cooperation between the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Worldloppet Federation.
Worldloppet will commence, using the “Summer Races” as a kick-off, with a new offering to cross country ski fans all around the globe, broadcasting a 26min highlight programme on www.worldloppet.com at
20h00 CET on race day. This shall give all skiers the possibility to see the best images of the race already on the same day. The film will thereafter be available for download on www.worldloppet.com.
More information on this new offering can be found on the Worldloppet web page in due time.
Best regards and greetings to you all. See you on the tracks !!!
Angelo Corradini
Worldloppet Secretary General
WORLDLOPPET
3
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TABLE OF CONTENT
46
ADVENTURE
23
FIS MARATHON CUP 2014/2015
FROM THE INDIAN HEART TO THE SKI TRACKS
SEASON REVIEW
WORLDLOPPET MAGAZINE
General informations
Foreword by Angelo Corradini..................................03
What is Worldloppet..................................................08
The Worldoppet passport.........................................18
FIS Marathon Cup 2014/2015................................23
Interview with Tatjana Mannima................................32
Which Race to go? The season overview...............37
Interview with Petr Novak..........................................50
Dates, numbers and winners
Worldloppet Calendar................................................10
Sold Passports..........................................................19
Worldloppet Masters 2015.......................................20
12
A FAMILY AFFAIR
A JAPANESE FAMILY ON TRACKS
Magazin
A family affair.............................................................12
USA global Skier........................................................26
From the indian heart to the ski tracks......................46
The 4 new Races - Seasonreview
Merino Muster............................................................16
Fossavatn...................................................................29
Vasaloppet China......................................................34
Ushuaia Loppet......................................................53
r
WORLDLOPPET
5
MOMENTS
WHAT IS WORLDLOPPET
WHAT IS
WORLD
8
WORLDLOPPET
LOPPET?
W
Wordloppet's strategy:
☞
☞
orldloppet The World of Marathon Skiing
Worldloppet is an international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons.
The federation was founded in 1978 in Uppsala, Sweden. The aim of Worldloppet is to promote the sport of
cross-country skiing through the various ski races
around the world.
Worldloppet members:
Only one, meaning normally the best race, from a country can be a member of Worldloppet. The youngest
member is the Demino Ski Marathon which takes place
Rybinsk, Russia, which was admitted to Worldloppet
during the Annual General Meeting in Tartu (EST) in
June 2012. Worldloppet currently unites 16 races from
Europe, America, Asia and Australia.
Europe:
Jizerská padesátka (CZE), Dolomitenlauf (AUT), Marcialonga (ITA), König Ludwig Lauf (GER), Tartu Maraton (EST), La Transjurassienne (FRA), Finlandia-hiihto
(FIN), Vasaloppet (SWE), Engadin Skimarathon (SUI),
Birkebeinerrennet (NOR), Bieg Piastow (POL),
Demino Ski Marathon (RUS), Fossavatn Ski
Marathon (ISL)
America:
American Birkebeiner (USA), Gatineau Loppet (CAN)
Marchablanca / Ushuaialoppet (ARG)
Asia:
Sapporo International Ski Marathon (JPN), Vasaloppet China (CHN)
Australia:
Kangaroo Hoppet (AUS), Merino Muster (NZL)
☞
☞
High quality ski races around the World. Only one,
meaning normally the best race from a country
can be a member of Worldloppet.
Regularity and continuity. Each race, having its
own history, traditions and programme, is held
usually at the same time every year.
After completing 10 different Worldloppet races,
at least one of them overseas, a skier can apply
for the Worldloppet Master title.
Races for everybody. Races different by length,
technique, landscape and target group attract
over 100.000 participants every year.
Participation of elite skiers. The FIS Marathon
Cup, consisting of around 10 Worldloppet races,
is a Worldloppet series for top skiers.
Worldloppet authority:
The highest authority of the Worldloppet Ski Federation
is the Annual General Meeting.
The management of the organization is delegated to
the Worldloppet Secretary General, who is elected for
the term of four years.
The Worldloppet Executive Committee, consisting of
one representative of Scandinavia, Central Europe,
Eastern Europe and Overseas (Asia, North America and
Australia), is established as support for the Worldloppet
Secretary General.
Worldloppet Executive Committee:
Juha Viljamaa – Finlandia Hiihto
Annette Lamy-Chappuis – La Transjurassienne
Dennis Kruse – American Birkebeiner
Kinga Jaworek - Bieg Piastow
Angelo Corradini was elected Worldloppet Secretary
General in 2008. He was reelected in 2012. Since
2008, the race of Marcialonga is responsible for the
Worldloppet administration.
WORLDLOPPET
9
WORLDLOPPET RACES 2015/2016
22/08/15
04/01/16
10/01/16
17/01/16
23/01/16
24/01/16
31/01/16
06/02/16
07/02/16
07/02/16
13/02/16
14/02/16
14/02/16
14/02/16
20/02/16
20/02/16
21/02/16
27/02/16
27/02/16
28/02/16
28/02/16
28/02/16
29/02/16
05/03/16
06/03/16
12/03/16
13/03/16
18/03/16
19/03/16
30/04/16
13/08/16
27/08/16
03/09/16
10
WORLDLOPPET
RACES
R AC
2015/1
E
6 (Valid for
recog
nition
as
KANGAROO HOPPET: Main
VASALOPPET CHINA: Main
JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA: Main
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Open Track
DOLOMITENLAUF: CL
DOLOMITENLAUF: Main
MARCIALONGA: Main
KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: FT
KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: Main
SAPPORO INT. SKI MARATHON: Main
LA TRANSJURASSIENNE : La Tranju’Classic
LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: La Tranju’Marathon
LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: Main
TARTU MARATON: Open Track
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Classic
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Main
TARTU MARATON: Main
FINLANDIA-HIIHTO: Main
GATINEAU LOPPET: CT
FINLANDIA- HIIHTO_ FT
GATINEAU LOPPET: Main
VASALOPPET: Oppet Spar sun
VASALOPPET: Oppet Spar mon
BIEG PIASTOW: Main
VASALOPPET: Main
DEMINO SKI MARATHON: Main
ENGADIN SKIMARATHON: Main
BIRKEBEINERRENNET: Fredags Birken
BIRKEBEINERRENNET: Main
FOSSAVATNSGANGAN: Main
USHUAIALOPPET: Main
KANGAROO HOPPET: Main
MERINO MUSTER: Main
YELLOW
*
-
a Wo
rldlop
pet G
old
50 KM
50 KM
50 KM
50 KM
42 KM
60 KM
70 KM
50 KM
50 KM
50 KM
56 KM
48 KM
68 KM
63 KM
54 KM
50 KM
63 KM
50 KM
51 KM
50 KM
51 KM
90 KM
90 KM
54 KM
90 KM
50 KM
42 KM
54 KM
54 KM
50 KM
50 KM
42 KM
42 KM
H
T MAIN
TEC
LOPPE
KM
D AT
E
WORLD
FT
CT
CT
CT
CT
FT
CT
FT
CT
FT
CT
FT
FT
CT
CT
FT
CT
CT
CT
FT
FT
CT
CT
CT
CT
FT
FT
CT
CT
CT
FT
FT
FT
FIS Marathon Cup 2014/2015 race
For women only
Mast
er)
COU
NTRY
AUS
CHN
CZE
USA
AUT
AUT
ITA
GER
GER
JPN
FRA
FRA
FRA
EST
USA
USA
EST
FIN
CAN
FIN
CAN
SWE
SWE
POL
SWE
RUS
SUI
NOR
NOR
ISL
ARG
AUS
NZL
21 KM
25 KM
30 KM
25 KM
20 KM
25 KM
22 KM
45 KM
25 KM
25 KM
25 KM
25 KM
25 KM
31 KM
23 KM
23 KM
31 KM
30 KM
32 KM
27 KM
30 KM
20 KM
27 KM
45 KM
25 KM
28 KM
17 KM
30 KM
28 KM
25 KM
21 KM
25 KM
25 KM
21 KM
21 KM
21 KM
FT
CT
FT
CT
CT
FT
CT
CT
FT
CT
FT
CT
FT
FT
FT
CT
CT
CT
CT
CT
CT
FT
FT
CT
CT
FT
FT
CT
CT
CT
FT
FT
CT
FT
FT
FT
Y
NTR
KANGAROO HOPPET: Australian Birkebeiner
VASALOPPET CHINA: Short
JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA: Bedrichskova
JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA: Jizerska 25
DOLOMITENLAUF: Classic Race
DOLOMITENLAUF: Lienz Lauf
MARCIALONGA: Lavazèloppet
MARCIALONGA: Light
KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: Short FT
KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: Short CT
SAPPORO INT. SKI MARATHON: Short FT
LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: La Trans 25CT
LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: La Trans 25FT
TARTU MARATON: Open Track
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Korteloppet
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Korteloppet CT
TARTU MARATON: Short
VASALOPPET: Kortvasan
FINLANDIA- HIIHTO: Short
GATINEAU LOPPET: Short CT
VASALOPPET: TjejVasan *
FINLANDIA- HIIHTO: Short
GATINEAU LOPPET: Short FT
VASALOPPET: HalvVasan
BIEG PIASTOW: Short CT
BIEG PIASTOW: Short FT
ENGADIN SKIMARATHON: Frauenlauf*
BIRKEBEINERRENNET: Inga Laami *
BIRKEBEINERRENNET: HalvBirken
DEMINO SKI MARATHON: Short
ENGADIN SKIMARATHON: Halbmarathon
FOSSAVATN SKIMARATHON: Short FT
FOSSAVATN SKIMARATHON: Short CT
USHUAIALOPPET: Marchablanca
KANGAROO HOPPET: Australian Birkebeiner
MERINO MUSTER: Snow Rake
CO U
E
C
A
R
H
TEC
DATE
22/08/15
04/01/16
08/01/16
09/01/16
23/01/16
24/01/16
28/01/16
31/01/16
06/02/16
07/02/16
07/02/16
13/02/16
14/02/16
14/02/16
20/02/16
20/02/16
21/02/16
26/02/16
27/02/16
27/02/16
27/02/16
28/02/16
27/02/16
01/03/16
04/03/16
06/03/16
06/03/16
12/03/16
13/03/16
13/03/16
13/03/16
28/04/16
30/04/16
28/08/16
27/08/16
03/09/16
ET
S
KM
OPP
L
D
L
R
WO
ACE
R
T
R
O
SH
lid
(Va
6
1
/
5
201
ter)
r Mas
e
v
il
S
pet
rldlop
o
W
as a
nition
g
o
c
for re
AUS
CHN
CZE
CZE
AUT
AUT
ITA
ITA
GER
GER
JPN
FRA
FRA
EST
USA
USA
EST
SWE
FIN
CAN
SWE
FIN
CAN
SWE
POL
POL
SUI
NOR
NOR
RUS
SUI
ISL
ISL
ARG
AUS
NZL
WORLDLOPPET >> IA FAMILY AFFAIR
A FAMILY AFFAIR
2014
It's almost three o'clock, the Worldloppet Master
reception at the Engadin Skimarathon is in full
swing. One moment I am talking to an American,
the next to an Italian and then suddenly I am facing a Japanese family – father, mother and son.
Don't think that only daddy is putting on his skis
while mum and son are cheering him on on the
famous uphill at St.Moritz! Oh no...this is a family
affair!!! ...and a good example of how Worldloppet and long distance skiing can be enjoyed by
the whole family!
„I was born in Tokyo in 1958. It's a big city and
12
WORLDLOPPET
you cannot find any snow there during the winter.
However, I started skiing in 1985 when I was 26
years old and was enjoying local, Japanese ski
races at that time. It wasn't until 1994 that I went
overseas to participate in one of theWorldloppet
races.“ tells Minoru, the father. „It was my university teacher, Prof. Imamura, who got me introduced to Worldloppet and its races. He loved
Finland, but my first race was then the KönigLudwig-Lauf in Germany.“
So much so good – sounds pretty much like
many Worldloppet stories so far doesn't it?
Don't worry, it gets better! „After my race, I went
Two years later, their son was born. His name:
into the office of the König-Ludwig-Lauf and got
Suomi, after his father's love for Finland! Surely
my first passport. If I didn't already had the
this „happening“ also played a vital part in the
„Worldloppet bug“ before – it was there at the
non participation of Tomoko in any races for
latest I caught it!“ admits the owner of now 12
some time. But Minoru continued to ski – pass-
Worldloppet passports.
port after passport got filled. However, since
„My wife is a good alpine skier, however, she
2001, the little family mostly travelled together to
only started cross country skiing one month be-
the races – Suomi first on the arm of his mother,
fore our marriage wich
was in 1997. For our
honeymoon we decided to go to Switzerland and the Engadin
Skimarathon should be
our honeymoon race.“
continues Minoru the
family story.
„We skied the whole
Engadin Ski Marathon
together, but at that
time it was only her 3rd
time on cross country
skis for her! I was very
happy to share this
wonderful experience
of long distance skiing with her, but she was very
later with skis on his feet and next to the race
tired and pretty exhausted after the race. Many
track cheered for his father. He got his first skis
times she wanted to give up as the way was so
when he was two – no surprise surely. During
long (yes, 42km can get veeeeery long!) but I en-
winter times, when the whole family went to
couraged her to keep going and cheered her up.
Sapporo many times, he got onto his skis with
In the end, after we slowly skied our way to S-
them and enjoyed this way of moving around.
Chanf, we finished together in 4h49min59s. Of
Travelling to many Worldloppet races and seeing
course I wanted to get her a Worldloppet pass-
his father competing got Suomi interested in
port, but she didn't want to hear any of this. I
long distance skiing as well – he wanted to fol-
guess after such an exhausting first experience,
low his father in his footsteps!
it was too early to get her interested in yet anot-
„ I checked every Worldloppet ski race regulation
her such race....she didn't enter any long dis-
for an age limit to enter the short (silver) race. We
tance race for a long time thereafter!“
decided that Suomi's first race should be Ji-
remembers the multiple Worldloppet Master.
zerska Padesatka. This was in 2009 when he
WORLDLOPPET
13
was 9 years old!“ tells a proud Minoru.
„He finished the 25km short race together with
his mother. After the race, he bought his first
Worldloppet passport and got his first Worldlop-
2015
One year later, it is clear: They made it! With the
Merino Muster having become an WL Associate
Race, the way was cleaned of all obstacles.
Suomi is now the youngest Worldloppet Silver
Master and the whole family are now preparing
the next challenge – becomming a Gold Master!
With Suomi and his mother having bought a
Worldloppet passport in 2009, a new ski team
was created which is comprised of the three
members of the Matsuyama famliy as well as no
other than Hannes Larsson, the incarnation of
Mister Worldloppet Master! What two distingtive
examples of Worldloppet skiing can be found in
this little team and what great example this
whole team shows to others who are not yet
sure how to bring together their passion for long
distance skiing and the rest of the family!
pet stamp!! He also finished the short races of
Finlandia Hiihto and Bieg Piastow in 2010, Kort
Vasan and Tartu Marston in 2011, Dolomitenlauf
in 2012, Kangaroo Hoppet in 2013 and the
American Birkebeiner Open as well as the Engadin Skimarathon in 2014. He now has 9
stamps in his passport missing only one for a silver master. The same goes for Tomoko as she
bought her passport at the same time as him,
encouraged by the example of Suomi.“ explains
Minoru further.
One stamp to go! But where to go for this one
stamp? „We have plans to go to New Zealand
and the Merino Muster if the race will be inlcuded to Worldloppet as an Associate Member by
the Annual General Meeting in June!“
14
WORLDLOPPET
Cross country skiing, long distance racing and
travelling the world, meeting new people and
learning about new cultures – the Worldloppet
experince is something for the whole family!
MERINO MUSTER
MERINO MUSTER
ONE YEAR WITH WORLDLOPPET
F
ollowing the elation at our election to as-
teers for the support roles so vital to our
sociate membership of the Worldloppet
success.
Ski Federation In Riva del Garda we retur-
The response from our community took us by
ned home to New Zealand to start the work of
surprise.
establishing our new status as associate members.
Our local authority (QLDC) funded a package of
Our first job was to apply for funds to address
race presence items that included signage and
our need to improve our race presence.
a finish tower. Our local tourist authority led dis-
Second priority was to establish much stronger
cussions with the community that host the Kan-
links to our local community as our race location
garoo Hoppet in Australia to develop joint
is up in the hills well above the population base
approaches and improve cooperation for inco-
we need to provide local ski racers and volun-
ming Worldloppet skiers.
16
WORLDLOPPET
The governing body for X-Country skiing in New
series. More foreign skiers completed the Me-
Zealand (Snowsports NZ) funded a study into
rino Muster than locals for the first time. We
the viability of the race and whether it could run
have also finally built a relationship with our local
and fund an FIS Marathon Cup in conjunction
community beyond X-Country skiing.
with a race in Australia. They have guided new
market segmentation that we are developing.
Local businesses are now offering support and
Encouraging the large New Zealand multi-sport
in this our second Worldloppet year International
community to add a long distance ski race to
entries are double last year and at this early
their bucket list has been one of those
stage conditions are looking very promising for
segments.
the Merino Muster on 15th August. This year we
The 2014 Merino Muster (our first as an asso-
will have flags flying at the road entrance from
ciate Worldloppet Ski Federation member) was
the Cardrona village as well as a full set of flags
held at the Snow Farm in brilliant sunshine and
at the Merino Muster stadium again with help
superb snow conditions. The race presence
from QLDC. It is the 21st birthday of the race.
was stupendous and the local community totally
Thank you Worldloppet for all the encourage-
abuzz at the success and the excitement of
ment and helpful guidance.
being part of such a prestigious international
WORLDLOPPET
17
THE WORLDLOPPET PASSPORT
C
ompleting of a Worldloppet (WL) race is
a remarkable achievement and worth of
recording! Worldloppet Passport (WL
Passport) is a personal document, in which
every completed WL race should be registered.
The official WL Passport contains a special page
for each event in the Worldloppet series. After
completing of a WL race, the skier should ask
for the official stamp of this event at the race office. A stamp in the WL Passport is the evidence
of the completed race. Collecting of WL stamps
is an additional motivation to practice crosscountry skiing and to travel to WL countries.
Today there are more than 12000 WL passport
holders from all over the world.
Everyone can become a Worldloppet Master!
Silver Master, if completed 10 WL short (click
here to see the list of the valid Worldloppet short
races!) races (possible to combine with main
races). To apply for the title of a WL Master, WL
Passport should be mailed to the WL General
Secretariat, where the validity of all stamps will
be checked, based on the result lists of the marked races. In order to be included in the current
year's WL Masters' list, WL Passport should
reach WL General Secretariat before April 1. WL
Master diploma and a gold/silver-plated pin will
be mailed to this WL Master and his/her name
will be published in the WL Ski Race Yearbook.
In addition, each WL Master has an opportunity
to order a personal WL gold/silver-plated medal,
by mailing the order form together with € 40.- to
the WL General Secretariat.
After completing WL races in 10 different countries, at least one of them on another Continent,
the skier will be recognised as a Worldloppet
Master (WL Master) - WL Gold Master, if completed 10 WL main races (click here to see the
list of the valid Worldloppet main races!) and WL
How to buy a Worldloppet Passport?
The price of a WL Passport is € 30.-and Passports are available in every WL race office in 15
countries and in WL General Secretariat. WL
Passport can also be ordered by e-mail or mail
and paid either in cash, by Credit Card.
12
18
WORLDLOPPET
Number of WL Passports
and Master by country
USA
GERMANY
RUSSIA
FINLAND
ITALY
NORWAY
SWITZERLAND
SWEDEN
ESTONIA
FRANCE
CANADA
CZECH REPUBLIC
JAPAN
AUSTRALIA
GREAT BRITAIN
AUSTRIA
SLOVENIA
POLAND
SPAIN
SLOVAKIA
LATVIA
DENMARK
NETHERLANDS
BELGIUM
ICELAND
ISRAEL
LUXEMBOURG
NEW ZEALAND
HUNGARY
IRELAND
BELARUS
CHINA
LIECHTENSTEIN
ANDORRA
LITHUANIA
UKRAINE
PORTUGAL
ARGENTINA
CHILE
INDIA
SAUDI ARABIA
SOUTH AFRICA
VENEZUELA
CROATIA
ECUADOR
GHANA
KAZAKHSTAN
MALAYSIA
MOLDAVIA
ROMANIA
UNKNOWN HOLDERS
S
RT
O
SP 49
S
3
PA 17
2033
1908
1685
1403
1329
RS
E
LD 47
HO 142
LS
TE
I
T
R 9
E
T 13
AS 4
M
S
ER
T
AS 68
M 30
LE
IP
T
UL 1
M 49
1596
283
587
229
14
395
458
27
304
54
8
1789
1293
1142
1152
1291
1095
815
641
1225
1029
722
709
461
434
409
345
259
222
192
172
160
96
87
83
46
36
33
33
20
16
13
12
9
9
8
8
7
5
4
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1060
873
542
626
333
338
321
303
216
158
139
124
88
65
67
67
39
33
4
22
19
12
10
12
8
9
7
8
6
4
3
1
1
2
2
363
274
298
387
239
177
214
91
147
79
100
58
76
82
45
34
60
29
24
21
15
1
25
17
3
4
4
245
217
256
321
196
119
115
63
90
50
73
44
63
27
27
10
1
2
9
3
4
4
3
1
1
1
1
3
4
6
22
5
4
13
16
8
8
2
14
19
11
27
13
18
10
35
11
20
9
9
9
2
1
3
1
9
14
12
7
5
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
25
34
26
1
1
27
14
2
1
52
60
3
1
57
ER
LV 0
I
S 14
1
WORLDLOPPET MASTERS 2015
WORLDLOPPET MASTERS 2015
NR.:
3900
3901
3908
3909
3910
3911
3912
3913
3914
3915
3916
3917
3918
3919
3920
3921
3922
3923
3924
3925
3926
3927
3928
3929
3930
3931
3932
3933
3934
3935
3936
3937
3938
3939
3940
3941
20
NAME
VADLEJCH JAN
VADLEJCH JAN
ROSEN ULF
KLINGEN LARS
HÜMMLER UWE
MORGENEIER K.-D.
TIKHONOV VADIM
WORSNOP GREGORY
KRANZ JÜRGEN
BIRYUKOV SERGEY
BANG JANNE
DASEK MIROSLAV
PANFILOV YURY
LARSSON LENNART
LARSSON HANNES
GOLDMANN MAXIMILIAN
ERIKSSON AINA
ERIKSSON SVEN-ERIK
LEMINGER JAN
LUCHKO IGOR
SIMONOV ALEXANDER
TOKMACHEV MIKHAIL
MARÅK RUNE GEORG
KOPPA AGU
RUF JOSEF
SCARTEZZINI MICHELE
SPERANZA IVO
COSTA ERIKA
DA RIZ FABIO
FANT ORVIANO
MATSUYAMA TOMOKO
MATSUYAMA SUOMI
INNO KADI
INNO AIN
TORSTILA SAMI
AVDYUSHKIN SERGEY
WORLDLOPPET
NATION
ISR
ISR
SWE
NOR
GER
GER
RUS
USA
GER
RUS
DEN
CZE
RUS
SWE
FRA
SUI
SWE
SWE
CZE
RUS
RUS
RUS
NOR
EST
GER
ITA
ITA
ITA
ITA
ITA
JPN
JPN
EST
EST
FIN
RUS
NR.:
3942
3943
3944
3945
3946
3947
3948
3949
3950
3951
3952
3953
3954
3955
3956
3957
3958
3959
3960
3961
3962
3963
3964
3965
3966
3967
3968
3969
3970
3971
3972
3973
3974
3975
3976
3977
NAME
CHITNEV ANDREY
RANTANEN PERTTI J.
KREEKMAN KALEV
WIEZOREK K.-D.
IAKOVENKO ALEXANDRE
KOCHETOV VLADIMIR
JOHNSEN OLAV MARTIN
HERSETH JANNE
SVINTSITSKI STANISLAV
RAAP ILMAR
KULU HEIKI
BACHAUS ARNO
BOROVOY IGOR
PICH VALENTIN
COOMBS JUSTIN
SARDA' JOAQUIM
MARTINEZ VALLS A.
SEVCIK ROMAN
NORDVANG TOR HELGE
SINGH PREETAM
NESENSOHN FRANK
MIKA ZDENEK
HELMINEN ERKKI
CAVIET NANCY L.
MÜLLER AXEL
CAVANAUGH MICHAEL
WONG JACQUES
STANICEK PAVOL
SÄILÄ MIRJA
VEGGELAND TURID
LARM RAILI L
BIENIEWSKI AREK
HOGGEN ELI BENTE
NORBY INGEBJØRG
DEBRAH KWASI
ANDRONOV IGOR
NATION
RUS
FIN
EST
GER
RUS
RUS
NOR
NOR
RUS
EST
EST
EST
RUS
SPA
GBR
SPA
SPA
SVK
NOR
IND
GER
CZE
FIN
NED
GER
USA
CAN
SVK
FIN
NOR
FIN
POL
NOR
NOR
GHA
RUS
WORLDLOPPET MASTERS 2015
NR.:
3978
3979
3980
3981
3982
3983
3984
3985
3986
3987
3988
3989
3990
3991
3992
3993
3994
3995
3996
3997
3998
3999
4000
4001
4002
4003
4004
4005
4006
4007
4008
4009
4010
4011
4012
4013
NAME
MC LEOD GRANT
MONTGERMONT DANIEL
KEYSER JEFFREY
HEINRAND URMAS
HILSKA ASTA
HOLMSEN GEIR
JENNINGS TIMOTHY
DIRKSEN MICHAEL
DIRKSEN MICHAEL
PELTONEN LEENA
FONTANIVE RICCARDO
BYAR CHRISTIAN
BLEAKLEY MICHAEL
KREJZA LUBOS
PARVELA KIMMO
PARVELA ANJA
GERECKE MARTIN
ALEXANDER CRAIG
MICHALICKA VLADIMIR
SCHLEIDER JÜRGEN
REALINI PIETRO
DEREVYANKIN VITALY
LAMY-CHAPPUIS A.
VÄRTON ANDU
VAGEL JAANUS
BURKHARD JUERG
BARANOV ANTALOY
IAKHIN RINAT
PETROFF BORIS
ROESLER KAREN ANN
KEDROV VLADIMIR
SIMONS BRITT-MARIE
ÄÄREMAA ERKKI
KÜLAOTS URMET
ROBERT PATRICK
KOLOBANOVA LIUDMILA
NATION
CAN
FRA
USA
EST
FIN
NOR
USA
GER
GER
FIN
ITA
USA
USA
CZE
FIN
FIN
GER
AUS
CZE
GER
ITA
RUS
USA
EST
EST
SUI
RUS
RUS
FRA
USA
RUS
FIN
EST
EST
FRA
RUS
NR.:
4014
4015
4016
4017
4018
4019
4020
4021
4022
4023
4024
4025
4026
4027
4028
4029
4030
4031
4032
4033
4034
4035
4036
4037
4038
4039
4040
4041
4042
4043
4044
4045
4046
4047
4048
4049
NAME
LARIN NIKOLAI
HÄRKÖNEN ANTTI
RODYGIN ALEXANDER
SUNDQVIST ANN-CAKNÜSEL MARKUS
SEVCIK ROMAN
HÜMMLER UWE
GOREV KIRILL
SVIHUS KJELL
KIRIYANOV JURY
VALVE TEUVO
TAMM NIKITA
PETERSON EINAR
VEERUS IVAR
HANNI TARMO
HALGAS LUBOS
LIKSOR AIVO
TOIVONEN JUHA
HANNI TARMO
KILK AIN
TERENTIEV OLEG
LATORRE VILALLONGA
JAANUS ANDRES
TEEARU KARL
KOMPUS ANDRUS
QUINN DONALD
WIENER JAY
SKRÅNING JORUN
MARSHALL MICHELE
MARJAKANGAS HEIKKI
KOSTYNICH SERGEY
BOUTERAON MICHEL
SANCHEZ PUERTA EDUDASEK MIROSLAV
BOUTERAON MICHEL
HANSON CRAIG
NATION
RUS
FIN
RUS
SWE
SUI
SVK
GER
RUS
NOR
RUS
FIN
RUS
EST
EST
EST
SVK
EST
FIN
EST
EST
RUS
SPA
EST
EST
EST
USA
USA
NOR
GBR
FIN
RUS
FRA
AND
CZE
FRA
USA
WORLDLOPPET
21
WORLDLOPPET MASTERS 2015
NR.:
NAME
4052
PETROV DMITRY
4050
4051
4053
4054
4055
4056
4057
4058
4059
4060
4061
4062
4063
4064
4065
4066
4067
4068
4069
4070
4071
4072
4073
4074
4075
4076
4077
4078
4079
4080
4081
4082
4083
4084
4085
4086
SALONEN HELENA
SALONEN LARS
KREEGIMETS JANIS
MÄE IVO
KALMO STIG
KALMO STIG
MCCARTHY BERNARD
NATION
4089
RUS
EST
DEN
DEN
GBR
CZE
CAN
EST
USA
BLUMENSTEIN HELMUT
GER
HANNILA MATTI
FIN
BAZHIN VLADIMIR
IVANIN YURY
OZOLINS AINARS
PÖYRY JORMA
HAABMA ALAR
RUS
RUS
LAT
FIN
EST
GLECHNER FRANZ
AUT
SKOGLUND JOHAN
SWE
AGESTAM LENNART
SWE
SREJBER MILAN
KULIK MICHAL
CHALAEV DMITRY
AGESTAM MARIA
NYGARD MARIT KARIN
ODOKHOVSKIY V.
SMOLYAKOVA IRINA
IMPALMI FRANCO
KRALOVA IVANA
KRAL JOSEF
SASAKI MUNEO
KRALOVA IVANA
KRAL JOSEF
SEITZ THOMAS
TELEPIN NIKOLAY
EST
SWE
SREJBER MILAN
BRUMBAUGH MIKE
4088
4086
SWE
VARDJA VALLO
NAME
SWE
KLEEN GUSTAV
PALLISER ROBERT
NR.:
CZE
CZE
RUS
SWE
NOR
RUS
RUS
ITA
CZE
CZE
4087
4090
4091
4092
4093
4094
4095
4096
4097
4099
4100
4101
4102
4103
4104
4105
4106
4107
4108
4109
4110
4111
4112
4113
4114
4115
4116
4117
4118
4119
JPN
4120
SUI
4123
CZE
CZE
4121
4122
4124
SEITZ THOMAS
HUBER THOMAS
VIITAMÄKI JOUNI
BÖCKL BERNHARD
NATION
SUI
GER
RUS
FIN
AUT
HUBER THOMAS
GER
MOGARD MAURICE
SWE
HUBER THOMAS
GER
HUBER THOMAS
GER
ZAKHAROV DMITRY
RUS
TALAS JAN
FERUGLIO LUIGINO
SEVCIK ZDENKO
TELYATNIKOV VLADIMIR
MUFF FELIX
BÖCKL BERNHARD
SHELEKHIN ANATOLY
KUDRIASHOV STANISLAV
NORBERG BENGT
SOOVIK JAN
NIINIMÄKI TIMO
JYLHÄ KARI
JYLHÄ KARI
MARTINOVIC JIRI
PAVLENKOV OLEG
CHURIKOV MAXIM
CZE
SUI
SVK
RUS
SUI
AUT
RUS
RUS
SWE
SWE
FIN
FIN
FIN
CZE
RUS
RUS
RØNNING STEIN
NOR
BORISOV VALENTIN
RUS
GOEBEL RONICE
KOSTYNICH SERGEY
HOLAN MARTIN
LEVSHCHANOV SERGEY
RAJASAARI MATTI
KASALA MARKKUS J.
AUS
RUS
CZE
RUS
FIN
FIN
WRAGG JOHN
CAN
LEMINGER JAN
CZE
KHALIMULLIN YURI
KARTSOV SERGEY
RUS
RUS
FIS MARATHON CUP 2014/15
As usual, the FIS Marathon Cup season started also snow is guaranteed which makes it far more simple
this season with the traditional long distance season for the organisers to prepare the race. Winter was
opener La Sgambeda in Livigno, Italy, in mid-De- once again at the rendez-vous so that the racers
cember.
could enjoy a perfect winter wonderland atmo-
Under a bit warmer conditions than most of the sphere. In this serrounding it was Toni Livers (SUI)
times and this year happening on Friday, La Sgam- who secured the victory in front of Petr (CZE) and
beda (42km FT) was won by Benoit Chauvet (FRA) Adrien Mougel (FRA). On the women's side, it was
in front of Petr Novak (CZE) and Robin Duvillard Holly Brooks (USA), the woman from Alaska who
(FRA) on the men's side, and by Riitta-Liisa Roponen had raced in the American National Team until last
(FIN) on the women's side. The Finn won in front of year, who could show her strength. Aurelie Dabudyk
Holly Brooks (USA) and Ekaterina Rudakova (BLR). (FRA) and Antonella Confortola (ITA) completed the
Already the first race showed that a strong field of women's podium.
racers had prepared for a long fight for the top spots A week later, the elite of long distance skiing gatheof the podium throughout the season. And it should red in Italy in order to participate in the traditional
be between Chauvet and Novak that this year's FIS Marcialonga which runs from Val di Fasse to Val di
Marathon Cup should be decided. On the women's Fiemme. Normally held over 70km in CT, this year's
side, it looked so as if the American Brooks would edition saw some cruel weather challenging the orbe able to secure the cup, however, everyone who ganisers to the maximum. In the end, the race could
bet on her had not made the deal without a well be held, however only over 57km. This did not
known pal!
change anything of the great atmosphere of this
However, the second race of the season was, also special race. After a strong fight, it was Tor Asle Gjerlike the last years, the Dolomitenlauf (AUT) in mid- dalen (NOR) who in the end could win the race in
January. This race is now, for a couple of years al- front of his compatriots Anders Aukland and Oystein
ready, held in Obertilliach over 42km (FT). Up there, Pettersen. On the women's side, it was Katerina
FIS MARATHON CUP SAISON
>>2014/2015
Smutna (AUT), a former World Cup athlete who
gian to come here and race this race. It's a really
mostly competed in sprints, who showed everyone
great!“ Audun Laugaland (NOR) became second
else her backside. First to see it was Leila Kveli
and Martti Himma (EST) third. On the women's side
(NOR) who became second while Seraina Boner
it was once again Tatjana Mannima (EST) who could
(SUI) completed the podium.
win the prestigious 63km CT race in her home coun-
After a one week break the circuit reunited again in
try. Antonella Confortola (ITA) and Triin Ojaste (EST)
the French Jura for la Transjurassienne – not in ska-
completed the podium. After Tartu Maraton, the FIS
ting technique as it had been the case for many
Marathon Cup track raced over the great ocean, to
years, but in classic style, leaving from Les Rousses
American and the American Birkebeiner (50km FT).
instead of Lamoura. French winners on French soil?
Surely the coldest place of this year's FIS Marathon
Not exactly. As this race was held in classic techni-
Cup, the „Birkie“ offered once again a very interes-
que this time, it was the „old master“ Stanislav
ting race in which Sergio Bonaldi (ITA), the winner of
Rezac (CZE) who won this race in front of his com-
the overall FIS Marathon Cup 2012/13 could claim
patriot Petr Novak. Both Czechs went on without
the victory in front of the two Frenchmen Christophe
kick wax and it looked a long time as it would come
Perrillat-Collomb and Benoit Chauvet. On the wo-
to a finish sprint between these two. However, about
men's side, it was Holly Brooks (USA) who could
a kilometre from the finish, Rezac moved up a gear
show her strength at home and who placed Aurelie
and left a gasping Novak alone. Third became Jean-
Dabudyk (FRA) and Tatjana Mannima (EST) to se-
Marc Gaillard (FRA) who, in the finish, had no idea
cond and third place. The red bib of the leader of the
how he had managed to reach it as he suffered from
overall FIS Marathon Cup should continue to switch
cramps all the way through. On the women's side,
owners as the circuit moved back to Europe and the
it was Tatjana Mannima (EST) who set a sign with
50km CT Bieg Piastow (POL). Close to the border
her victory. The FIS Marathon Cup overall winner of
to the Czech Republic, Petr Novak felt at home on
the season 2012/13 who had a bad accident right
the course which is well known to him. Helped by
at the beginning of the season 2013/14 and who
such a feeling, he could win the race in front of Sta-
could therefore not race much during this winter,
nislav Rezac (CZE), reversing the order of the result
showed that she was back and ready for some real
of La Transjurassienne, and Benoit Chauvet (FRA).
action.
On the women's side, it was Tatjana Mannima (EST)
Next stop on the list was Tartu Maraton. Normally
who could show once again that the was the queen
THE race to prepare the ultimate Vasaloppet, due to
of the classic technique this season. She won in
the change of date of the 90km long race (one week
front of Klara Maravcova (CZE) and Aurelie Dabudyk
later as on the original date, the FIS Nordic World
(FRA). Next on the list was the Engadin Skimarathon
Ski Championships were held in Falun, Sweden) ho-
(SUI), traditionally the closing race of the FIS Mara-
wever, it was not so practical anymore for most of
thon Cup season – but not this year. There was still
the challengers of the Swedish race. Therefore the
one more race to go after the Swiss one. Known for
door was open for new heroes – one of them with a
its relatively flat profile and the wonderful scenery in
known name: Eldar Roenning (NOR)! The Norwegian
which it is set, this year's Engadin Skimarathon
could not only win the race but was also absolutely
could be won by Ilia Chernousov (RUS), the hus-
taken by the experience: „I encourage every Norwe-
band of Swiss ex-biathllete Selina Gasparin. Robin
24
WORLDLOPPET
Duvillard (FRA) and Roman Furger (SUI) completed women's side, Ekaterina Rudakova (BLR) could
the podium. On the women's side, every point gai- claim the victory in front of Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA)
ned in this race was important for the overall. This and Antonella Confortola (ITA). With all races done it
time, it was Anouk Faivre-Picon (FRA) who could was in the end Petr Novak (CZE) and Tatjana Mangain the victory for the second time after her win in nima (EST) who could win the overall FIS Marathon
2012. Riita-Liisa Roponen (FIN) and Caitlin Gregg Cup of the season 2014/15 – a long dream for
(USA) got second and third.
Novak which finally came true and a dream which
Then there was a long gap. However, most athletes became true for already the second time for the Esstayed busy with national championships and other tonian mum Mannima.
races until it was time to go to Khanty-Mansiisk After the season, some athletes have anounced their
(RUS), for the last race of the season. Normally retirement, like Christophe Perrillat-Collomb, some
known for it's Biathlon World Cup, the city is also only from World Cup racing. The latter ones, like
host to the Ugra Ski Marathon, a 50km FT race. Due Eldar Roenning have however announced that they
to warm weather and a lot of rain, the last race of would now focus on long distance racing. Knowing
the season 2014/15 had to be shortened to 35km. this, one can enjoy the summer break before witnesThe first to cross the finish line after this distance sing an even harder fight for the overall FIS Marathon
was Toni Livers (SUI) who was back from racing in Cup next season – which will then be called „FIS
the Cross Country World Cup. Aliaksei Ivanou (BLR) Worldloppet Cup“.
got second and Evgeniy Belov (RUS) third. On the
WORLDLOPPET
25
ADVENTURE >> USA GLOBAL SKIER
I SIMPLY LOVE THE OUTDOORS,
ON FOOT
„As a biologist and ecologist I simply love the
„My job allows me to spend many hours outside
outdoors, on foot or on skis! - But I am also a
studying and monitoring western Colorado’s
list-checker!“
open land in order to help preserve mountain
A
ecosystems.“ she explains. Having been a hiker
brief self-description by Dawn Barton
since childhood, this way of exploring the land
Welles, the first US American woman to
is natural to Barton Welles. Even though Colo-
be recognised as „Worldloppet Global
rado is best known for its downhill skiing, Nordic
Skier“, but a description which includes all. It
skiing does also exist – one should not forget
was her love to the big and wide areas of un-
that some of the most successful American
spoiled nature which she could encounter from
Nordic Combined athletes like Todd Lodwick
her home since childhood, growing up in the
and Johnny Spillane are coming from there. „
mountains of beautiful Colorado, which inspired
Wishing to broaden my winter activities, I began
her to become a biologist and ecologist.
backcountry ski touring and going on hut trips
26
WORLDLOPPET
sport athletes are made in summer!“ another one
„Hard training – easy race!“ - showing both that
training is needed if success is wanted. „Balancing
work and family with training was probably the
most difficult area and so I found myself training a
OR SKIES
lot at night after work or in storms in order to get
in the training miles. I recently read a story about a
women who had just completed her first long-distance hike who said its okay to dive into the deep
end even if you are not a strong swimmer. If you
want something enough, you’ll learn how to swim.“
Surely an experience many have made already but
in the 1990’s.“ tells the first American Global Skier.
also something which can inspire others who are
At that time, not many groomed trails for cross
afraid to get involved as they might have never
country skiing were available, but when it got more
done sports before or can't ski. The Worldloppet
widely practised, Dawn Barton Welles couldn't re-
passport is another great motivation, enabling a
sist it: „I tried it and loved it! Now it is my preferred
racer to collect a stamp at each race and to re-
winter activity.“
ceive a Master diploma once ten races (including
When asked what she means by „being a list-che-
one overseas) have been concluded! But World-
cker“, she answers: „I love to set goals that have
loppet and skiing Worldloppet races are not only
multiple milestones, checking them off as I go. I
about the passport, „ it is about becoming part of
have climbed all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks,
something with a rich history and meeting passio-
completed the eight marathon ski races in the Eu-
nate peaceful people from around the world. I
roloppet series, hiked around Mount Blanc, the
especially appreciated that the Worldloppet organi-
Haute Route and the 480-mile Colorado Trail
zing committee built flexibility into the series by of-
across Colorado. I am always curious about what
fering a mix of race lengths and disciplines. Doing
is around the next bend!“ One already sees there
so has made it approachable to the athletes of all
that she is not in for only short distances...
levels.“ summarises the skier from Colorado. „For
„I came into Nordic racing as a long-distant hiker,
me, the idea to participate in Worldloppet race
but without much experience in ski racing. My first
came from a love of traveling in mountainous areas
marathon took me six hours and my last, about
and to see where my Nordic skis could take me.
half that time. Along the way, I learned about nutri-
I’ve skied toured across parts of Norway, Sweden,
tion, training, pacing, clothing, and overcoming jet-
and the Alps, but the quest for the coveted World-
lag that helped me to greatly improve as an athlete.
loppet pin by skiing ten races was a list-checkers
I loved the challenge to improve with each race
dream. The pin quest quickly turned into some-
(and the reward of the post-race stamp in the
thing much more! The Worldloppet races have
passport book!)!“
given me the opportunity to learn about different
But no pain – no gain! One does not compete in
countries, cultures, languages, customs and his-
such long races (and to improve every time!) wit-
tory. I am a third generation American. Traveling to
hout any preparation. One saying goes „Winter
races in Europe gave me the opportunity to
WORLDLOPPET
27
ADVENTURE >> USA GLOBAL SKIER
glimpse into the life my grandparents had and places they were before immigrating in 1900 to the
United States. Skiing the races and experiencing
the Nordic cultures around the world has become
a central part of my life. Once I became a Master
skier, I didn’t want the experience to end so I was
delighted to find that by skiing just six more races,
I could become a Global Loppet skier.“ And once
a Glogal Skier, she was happy to find out that there
are now four more races and places to go to! „And
next winter, I hope to start checking off the list of
the America’s version of Worldloppet, the American Ski Marathon Odyssey series.“
To combine her passion for Nordic skiing and with
her profession, she hopes to „help foster the
growth of cross country skiing in the USA. I would
also like to help Nordic skiing and the ski races be-
challenging goals, skiing herself and enjoying it are
come sustainable and lighter on the planet.
the most important things. „As the hiker Elmer
Downhill ski resorts are beginning to do things to
Adams said in his 1939 memoir, Walking in the
off-set their carbon footprints because of climate
Clouds, 'The ideal mountain trail is one which has
change and I think there is the opportunity for
no end.' For me, the same applies to Nordic skiing.
Nordic skiing to do the same.“ And besides these
I hope I never run out of ground to ski across!“
28
WORLDLOPPET
FOSSAVATN
ONE YEAR WITH WORLDLOPPET
I
A
year has passed since the Worldloppet
AGM in Riva del Garda, where Fossavatnsgangan and three other races were
welcomed to the Worldloppet family. It is safe to
say that this year has been an ongoing adven-
t is almost fifteen years since the organizers of
ture. Already before the application was accep-
Fossavatnsgangan first started contemplating
ted, the organizers felt increased interest from
the idea of joining forces with similar ski events
abroad. And then, immediately after the World-
in other countries. The hope was, that being a
loppet AGM, the interest boomed. The online
part of an international series would strengthen
registration was opened and the organizers sta-
the race and help developing it further. Although
red in disbelief as new names kept pouring in.
the big dream was to join Worldloppet, it see-
The previous record for registrations, 328 (total
med to be way out of reach, as Fossavatnsgan-
in all distances), was soon smashed. When re-
gan was too small to meet the criteria for
gistration was finally closed, the new record was
qualification. It was, therefore, a pleasant sur-
772. For most Worldloppet races, 772 partici-
prise to receive an offer to apply for an Associate
pants would of course mean a catastrophic
Membership of Worldloppet, and then eventually
drop. But for Fossavatnsgangan, it was more
to be accepted.
than double the previous record.
WORLDLOPPET
29
FOSSAVATN
determined to stage a great race. Sadly, Mother
Nature decided to make the task harder by offering very tough conditions on the day of the
main race, but we also had beautiful days for the
freestyle race and the family day. It was all like
an extremely intensive course in event management, and we learned a lot from the race and the
C
months leading up to it. “
ross-country skiing is a small sport in
Iceland, and usually does not receive
much attention from the media. Daniel
Jakobsson believes that better times are waiting
around the corner: „I believe that joining the
Worldloppet family has already done a world of
good. Not only for the race and our community,
but also for the sport of cross-country skiing. We
now have an international event that gets noticed by the media, and thus by the general public. I‘m convinced that we will feel the positive
effect in the near future, and that our sport will
gain increased strength and popularity in Ice-
T
land. We are very happy with the way things
have progressed this first year as a Worldloppet
his increased exposure and interest did
not only benefit the race itself. The small
community of Isafjordur, the home of
Fossavatnsgangan, was buzzing with life. Most
guesthouses in the area were fully booked, restaurants and other services benefitted as well.
Quick growth, however, never comes without
some growing pains. Daniel Jakobsson, the
chairman of Fossavatnsgangan, admits that the
sudden growth of the race caused a few sleepless nights. “To suddenly be organizing a race
more than twice as big as it had ever been before was a formidable challenge for everyone involved. But we have a group of hard working
and dedicated volunteers, and everyone was
30
WORLDLOPPET
Associate Member, and we are looking forward
to a long and fruitful relationship with all the other
Worldloppet races.“
IMPRESSION
Photo: C. Fritz
INTERVIEW >> Tatjana Mannima
TATJANA
FIS MARATHON CUP WINNER OVERALL 2014/2015
32
WORLDLOPPET
WL: How is it to be a mother as well as an elite
athlete? How do you combine both? And how
is your daughter doing on skis?
TM: Being a mother and an athlete is a very hard
work. Especially when you go away for training
MANNIMA
and have to leave your child at home. But thanks
to these days' technology we are able to chat
(EST)
every day using Skype. You need to have someone you can rely on to look after your child
when you are away and constantly training and
I am very lucky to have my mum and my sister
WL: Tatjana, congratulations again to your overall victory
this year! What does this success mean to you? You won
the overall FIS Marathon Cup already in 2012/13 but had
a very difficult season thereafter as you got injured already
early on during a season and couldn't ski much as a result of it?
TM: This years victory means a lot to me. I was very
happy that I could win the overall FIS Marathon Cup for
the second time. It was a lot harder this season than
when I won it the first time. We, the girls, were fighting for
every place and every point when we took the start. It
was a very exciting fight until the last race. At the beginning of the season I only planned to race in Falun during
the World Ski Championship: The 30km and a relay. But
after my vitcory in the Tartu Marathon I decided to concentrate on long distance skiing again and on winning the
overall FIS Marathon Cup for the second time in my career.
WL: After your victory in 2012/13, did you see and feel
any changes in your home country regarding the media
attention and interest in your races and in your person?
Did the overall victory help you getting new sponsors?
TM: Since my overall victory in 2012/2013 I have received
more attention from mass media back home and this
made it definitely a lot easier to find sponsors. As we say:
You have results - you get sponsors.
to help me out. My daughter Ann-Marii really enjoys skiing and if I get some spare time we try to
go skiing together.
WL: You have skied for the Estonian National
Team while pursuing your long distance racing
career – will this be the same next season? Or
will you focus entirely on the long distance circuit
as there are neither World Championships nor
Olympic Winter Games coming up next season?
TM: There are no World Championships or
Olympic Games this year so I will definitely concentrate 100% on long distance skiing Would be
great to be able to win the overall FIS Marathon
Cup for a third time!
WL: How will you summer training look like?
TM: I will stay at home in Otepää this year for
summer training. We have great conditions here
for training. In November we will go to Muonio
in Finland for the first training on snow and then
we will see how my form is and depending on
that we will make firther plans.
WL: Thank you very much for your time! All the
very best for your preprarations for next season!
See you next winter for another interesting FIS
Marathon Cup season!
WORLDLOPPET
33
VASALOPPET CHINA
VASALOPPET CHINA
ONE YEAR WITH WORLDLOPPET
Vasaloppet China is carried out in cooperation
with Vasaloppet Sweden and it started in 2003.
Already that year Swedish ambassador Börje
Ljunggren said in his opening speech; “A New
Tradition is born!”.
January 4, 2015 is now added into the 13th
years history of Vasaloppet China as the first
ever Wordloppet event in China. As an associated member of Wordloppet we were glad to
welcome participants from all over the world,
in groups as well as individuals.
We are also very honored and glad to notice
that we already this year were visited from
seven other events in Worldloppet family.
Coming into the Worldloppet family meant a lot
for the local organizing committee:
34
WORLDLOPPET
• As a result of the pre evaluation work we were
recommended to set up our course of 50 km in
maximum two laps. And with that support from
Worldloppet we find the solution for that in cooperation with Jingyuetan Park, the area for
the event.
• To celebrate the first year of Worldloppet in
China, it was decided that one of the biggest
areas in the world for snow sculptures, should
be created in the Vasaloppet China arena.
• Travel agencies are now interested to organize groups coming for our event.
SNOW WARRANTY – SNOW PRODUCTION
The unique snow warranty of Vasaloppet
China gave very well and fare conditions in the
track. About 550.000 cubic meters of snow was
produced to cover the 25 km track, start and finish area and also to be used for the tremendous snow sculpture park. The 13th edition of
Vasaloppet China came up with a temperature
at -16° C in the morning at the start and when
the sun rose it became some degrees warmer,
a perfect day for skiing!
VASLOPPET CHINA VENUE
- SNOW SCULPTURE PARK
The ski arena is located in Jingyuetan Forest
Park, a 100 square km big recreation aria in
Changchun urban area. From this year the
track was 25 km, means one lap for those who
done short distance and two laps for the long
distance, 50 km. Also a short track, about 1 km
were available inside the arena for students,
families and children. A huge snow sculpture
park, reportedly the largest in the world, was
created in the arena and overlapping was done
on a replica of The Great Wall made in snow!
Participants really seem to enjoy the snow
sculptures since many comments were made
as: “Enormous”, “have never experience a ski
arena like this”, “extra ordinary” and so on.
VASALOPPET CHINA ACCOMODATION
Available travel packages, served by the organizers, include the 5-star Sheraton Hotel
which participants really enjoyed. From the
hotel it takes only 15 min by the shuttle buses.
There are also many 3-4 star hotels available
in the same area.
CHINESE CULTURE
This year’s participants took part in a lot of social activities during their stay: Opening Ceremony, New Year’s Eve Banquet, Government
Welcome Banquet and also a Price Giving
Banquet. All these included a touch of Chinese
culture and entertainments.
BEIJING EXPERIENCES
The international participants, travelling to
China from far away, almost all added some
extra days in the capital city, Beijing. Here they
were, from organizers side in cooperation with
a domestic travel agency, served a menu to
choose from with different sightseeing tours
and experiences as: The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, “Birds Nest” the
National Stadium from 2008 Olympics, Hutong
tours, Beijing Duck dinner and so on. And of
course they all also visited some of the famous
markets for shopping.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Groups
Becoming an associated member of Wordloppet opened up doors to find travel partners
around the word who was interested to come
with groups. Already for the first year we arranged China domestic programs in cooperation
with travel partners from eight different countries and they will all come back for next year’s
event. In addition we already signed contracts
with several more travel partners for the future.
Individuals
We also put a lot of efforts to support individuals who want to travel to the Far East for XC
skiing in Vasaloppet China. We assist on booking accommodations in Changchun and Beijing, domestic travelling, transfers, race
registrations and so on, just contact us!
WORLDLOPPET
35
„
„My winter destination
www.ammergauer-alpen.com
ALL WORLDLOPPET RACES
WHICH RACE TO GO TO?
THE SEASON OVERVIEW
VASALOPPET CHINA
When:
Where:
What:
50 km CT 04.01.2016
Changchun / China
Gold Master races: Vasaloppet China, 50km CT
Silver Master races: Vasaloppet China 25km CT
Contact and registration: www.vasaloppetchina.com
WORLDLOPPET
37
RACE OVERVIEW
JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA
When:
Where:
What:
50 km CT 10.01.2016
Bedrichov / Czech Republic
Jizerská 50 50km CT (10.01.)
Bedrichovska 30 30km FT (08.01.)
Jizerská 25, 25km CT (09.01.)
Contact and registration: www.jiz50.cz
DOLOMITENLAUF
When:
Where:
What:
60 km FT 24.01.2016
Lienz or Obertilliach / Austria
Dolomiten Classic Race 42km CT (23.1.)
Dolomiten Classic Race 20km CT (23.1.)
Dolomitenlauf 60km FT (24.1.)
Dolomitenlauf 25km FT (24.1.)
Contact and registration: www.dolomitensport.at
MARCIALONGA
When:
Where:
What:
Moena (Val di Fassa)
Cavalese (Val di Fiemme) / Italy
Marcialonga 70km CT (31.01.)
Marcialonga Light 45km CT (31.01.)
Lavazeloppet 22km CT (28.01.)
Minimarcialonga (race for kids 6-12yrs.)
Marcialonga Young (race for youth)
Contact and registration: www.marcialonga.it
38
WORLDLOPPET
KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF
When:
Where:
What:
50 km CT 07.02.2016
Oberammergau / Germany
König-Ludwig-Lauf 50km/25km FT (06.02.)
König-Ludwig-Lauf 50km/25km CT (07.02.)
MINI-KINI CHILDREN RACE 5km (06.02.)
21th World Championship of physicians and pharmacists
Contact and registration: www.koenig-ludwig-lauf.com
SAPPORO SKI MARTHON
When:
Where:
What:
50 km FT 07.02.2016
Sapporo / Japan
Sapporo International Ski Marathon 50km FT
Sapporo International Ski Marathon 25km FT
Contact and registration: www.shsf.jp/ski/index-e.html
LA TRANSJURASIENNE
When:
Where:
What:
76km / 57km FT 14.02.2016
Lamoura – Mouthe / France
La Transjurassienne 76km/57km/25km FT (14.02.)
La Transjurassienne 50km/25km CT (13.02.)
Contact and registration: www.transjurassienne.com
WORLDLOPPET
39
R A C E O V E RV I E W
TARTU MARATON
When:
Where:
What:
Otepää - Elva / Estonia
Open Track 63km FT (14.02.)
Open Track 31km FT (14.02)
Tartu Maraton 63km CT (21.02.)
Tartu Maraton 31km CT (21.02.)
Contact and registration: www.tartumaraton.ee
GATINEAU LOPPET
When:
Where:
What:
Gatineau (Québec) / Canada
Gatineau Loppet 51km/27km CT (27.02.)
Gatineau Loppet 51km/27km FT (28.02.)
Contact and registration: www.gatineauloppet.com
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER
When:
Where:
What:
Contact and registration: www.birkie.com
40
WORLDLOPPET
Cable - Hayward / USA
American Birkebeiner 54km CT (20.02.)
American Birkebeiner 50km FT (20.02.)
Korteloppet 23km CT & FT (20.02.)
FINLANDIA HIIHTO
When:
Where:
What:
50km CT 27.02.2016
Lahti-Hollola-Lahti / Finland
Finlandia Hiihto 50km CT (27.02.)
Finlandia Hiihto 50km FT (28.02.)
Finlandia Hiihto 32km CT (27.02.)
Finlandia Hiihto 20km FT (28.02.)
Contact and registration: www.finlandiahiihto.fi
VASALOPPET
When:
Where:
What:
90km CT 06.03.2016
Sälen – Mora / Sweden
Öppet spar 90km CT (28.&29.02.)
Vasaloppet 90km CT (06.03.)
KortVasan 30km CT (26.02)
TjejVasan (for women only) 30km CT (27.02.)
HalvVasan 45km CT (01.03.)
Contact and registration: www.vasaloppet.se
BIEG PIASTOW
When:
Where:
What:
50km CT 05.03.2016
Sklarska Poreba / Poland
Bieg Piastow 50km CT (04.03.)
Bieg Piastow 25km CT (05.03.)
Bieg Piastow 28km FT (06.03)
Contact and registration: www.bieg-piastow.pl
WORLDLOPPET
41
RACE OVERVIEW
ENGADIN SKIMARATHON
When:
Where:
What:
Maloja - Schanf / Switzerland
Engadin Skimarathon 42 km FT (13.03.)
Engadin Halbmarathon 21 km FT (13.03.)
Frauenlauf 17 km FT (06.03.)
Contact and registration: www.engadin-skimarathon.ch
BIRKEBEINER RENNET
When:
Where:
What:
Rena - Lillehammer / Norway
FredagsBirken 54 km CT (18.03.)
Birkebeinerrennet 54CT (19.03.)
Contact and registration: www.birkebeiner.no
DEMINO SKIMARATHON
When:
Where:
What:
Rybinsk - Demino / Russia
Demino Ski Marathon 50 km FT (12.03.)
Demino Ski Marathon 25km CT (13.03.)
Contact and registration: www.marathon.demino.com
42
WORLDLOPPET
FOSSAVATN SKIMARATHON
When:
Where:
What:
Isafjoerdur / Island
Gold Master Races: Fossavatn Skimarathon 50km CT
Silver Master Races: Fossavatn Skimarathon 25km CT
Contact and registration: www.fossavatn.com
USHUAIALOPPET
When:
Where:
What:
C
Ushuaia / Argentinia
Gold Master Races: Ushuaialoppet 50km FT
Silver Master Races: Marchablanca 21km CT (20.08)
Contact and registration: www.marchablanca.com
KANGAROO HOPPET
When:
Where:
What:
Falls Creek / Australia
Kangaroo Hoppet 42km FT (27.08.)
Kangaroo Hoppet 21km FT (27.08.)
Contact and registration: www.hoppet.com.au
WORLDLOPPET
43
RACE OVERVIEW
MERINOMUSTER
When:
Where:
What:
50km CT 03.09.2016
Snowfarm (Wanaka) / New Zealand
Gold Master Races: Merino Muster 42km FT
Silver Master Races: Snow Rake 21km FT
Contact and registration: www.merinomuster.com
GUNNAR ZLÖBL >> Worldloppet Presscoordinator
M
About Gunnar Zlöbl:
Journalism & Public Relations Student
23 years old, lives in Graz/Austria
Former member of the styrian cross country team
Austrian Soldier
Working as a freelance journalist for different sports newspapers
Experience in cross country media:
• I worked as a chief editor for an Austrian cross country online
newspaper.
• I attended the roller ski festival in Norway, the "Blinkfestivalen",
to live report from there.
• I worked at the Worldcup races of Drammen and Holmenkollen
• And during my exchange semester in Oslo I had numerous inter
views with the world best xc-skiers.
y name is Gunnar Zlöbl, I´m from Austria and I´m the new Worldloppet Press Officer. I am glad
and proud to be chosen for this position and I´m sure to meet all the demands required for this
task. As I´m a 23 years old journalism & public relations student who just arrived home from an
exchange semester in Oslo/NOR, I know how the modern world of media works and because of my background as a professional youth skier I also know how to combine my media knowledge with sports, specially with cross country skiing. For us as the Worldloppet family it is all about combining professional sports
with popular skiing, this can only be achieved with a well working communication flow, both internal and
external. This is exactly the point which I want to focus on this winter. The challenge for us is to accomplish
the jump from one generation of skiers to the next one. Social Media is the keyword! But it is not enough
just to create an account on Facebook and only share links to new articles on your website. It is all about
communication: Communication with sponsors, communication with authorities, communication between
Worldloppet races and Worldloppet and - and that´s the most important part - communication with the
participants. But also to provide a platform for skiers all over to world to communicate among popular
skiers, elite skiers, among old and young, among Australians and Austrians (yes, still not the same). Worldloppet is connecting skiers from every part of the world and I am looking forward to communicate with
each and every one of them! So see you at the ski trails!
44
WORLDLOPPET
absolutely
Made in Italy
the World*
under my
Roller Skis
by
Crestani Sport
High technology,
reliability and tradition
since 1973.
by
Crestani Sport Viale della Repubblica 31, 36066 Sandrigo (VI) ITALY
tel. +39 0444 658579
info@skiskett.com
ADVENTURE
FROM THE INDIAN HEART TO THE
SKI TRACKS OF
W
e are in Amritsar, India. It's still hot
although it's already late in the eve-
ning. A shadow passes by the old
Sikh temple. A shadow on skikes. On skikes???
This can't be true! Next the holy cow scurting
46
WORLDLOPPET
the streets in hope to find something to eat
starts to fly! Nobody in India would set out with
skikes in the middle of a town which inhabits several million people!
The shadow stops. Now it leans on the two
having gotten over my surprise. „Nice to meet
you.“ Yeah, finally I got my manners back! „But
THE WORLD
poles in its hands. I look around but still do not
see any flying cows. Maybe I am sleeping and
dreaming? Suddenly the shadow starts to talk.
„I guess you would not have assumed to see someone on roller skis in India, right?“ says the
shadow. I look around me but I don't see anybody else except for a holy cow which still is with
its four feet on the ground, scrambling through
the rubbish serrounding it. So it must be me the
from where on earth did you get the idea to do
ski races???“ It blurted out of my mouth … there
we go, the moment my manners were back they
were also already gone again. Interest and astonishment got the better of me. But the former
shadow does not seem to mind. He loughs.
„That`s a long story! Have you already eaten
something for dinner? No? Perfect. Then have
something at my house and I will tell you my
story in the meantime. Do you ski yourself?“ he
asks while already moving into the direction of
his house, taking me by the arm. I do ski myself
shadow is talking to. I turn back to the shadow
only to not see it anymore. Maybe I have been
dreaming after all? A movement in the shine of
a lantern lets me turn to the right. There I see the
shadow or better the person who must have
been the shadow as this person, standing there
in the light of the lantern with a bike helmet on
his head, has two skiing poples in his hands and
roller skis with big tires, the so-called „skikes“,
on his feet. The shadow-now-person laughs. I
must have looked very confused I thought by
myself. I tryto pull myself together and manage
to get a „Yeah?!?“ out of my mouth., You sound
very sophisticated! I think embarressed. „Don't
worry, you are not the first one who is confused
when seeing me training. The people here are
now used to this sight, but in the beginning they
looked even more startled than you do now! By
the way, I am Preetam and I love cross country
skiing. I try to ski marathon races – and to do so
I need to train.“ says the man on skikes, making
a gesture with his hands, in which he still held
the ski poles, up and down his body showing a
big smile on his face. I also start to smile now,
and not long after I find myself in a middle of a
conversation about which technique I prefer and
which place I love best for cross country skiing.
Having arrived at the house, Reena , a passionate skier herself as I learn later one, stands on
the veranda laughing. „Ah, I see he found someone with whom he can talk about skiing! Nice
to meet you, I am Preetam´s wife. Come in. I
hope he has not torpedoed you with all his questions around skiing, but he loves skiing more
than anything. So he is always very happy when
he meets someone who shares this passion –
especially in India.“ she says smilingly.
WORLDLOPPET
47
W
e sit down at the table and Preetam
rathon he had chosen for his first ever race over
immediately starts with his story.
this distance. „It was a nightmare...I thought I
How he was just a normal VR sur-
would die! Don't ask me how I did it, but I finis-
geon at the University Hospital in Amritsar, who,
hed this race! And after it, the first thought was:
when he turned 50, had something most people
If I survived this one, I can also do another one!
would call a „mid-life crisis“. „I felt that I needed
Maybe I couldn't think clearly at that time, but I
to do something. I loved my life and my family
was hooked up by this thought and soon after I
but somehow something was missing. And so I
had recovered from the race, I got back into trai-
decided to run a marathon. Me, who, when he
ning.“ But as it often is, one is getting better at
was still a kid coudn't do much running because
something and is enjoying it...an injury comes
of health problems. 42Km is a looooong way. So
along and burries all hopes to get even better. „I
I had to start training because without any trai-
couldn't run anymore. I tried everything but it
ning, I knew that I would never make it!“
didn't work out. The doctor said I needed to
He searched the internet for training trips and
completely stop running for several months ot-
guidance, found a lot but also a lot of nonsens,
herwise it would never heal. I saw that I had no
tried out stuff by himself and figured out more
other choice than to do what he told me to do.“
and more what he needed in order to survive the
But what do you do if you can't do what has
42km of Hamburg Marathon as this was the ma-
given you so much satisfaction? First you go on
48
WORLDLOPPET
holidays. A conference was set up to be in the
Indian mountains, right in the middle of winter.
„It was my childhood dream to go skiing! We
booked a lesson and my wife and I got on our
skis. Even though I fell quite often, I loved it. However, I really didn't see the point in going up the
mountain with a lift only to then slide down on
skis. As a person who loves endurance sport,
this was not the right thing.“ After some more
consulting the internet, Preetam found out that
there was another sport involving skis which was
far more of his taste: cross country skiing!
„I watched a lot of videos of people doing cross
country skiing and got really agitated. This was
what I wanted to do! But nobody in India taught
cross country skiing! ...but in Switzerland! With
friends, family and colleagues around the world,
Preetam ended up bying skis in Switzerland during a work trip and got to try them out on another trip to Switzerland as it was finally decided
to travel to the Engadin valley to get some proper skiing lessons. „But being me, I coudn't
withstand to inscribe myself to the 21km half
marathon of the Engadin Skimarathon when I
saw the advertisement. I just had to do it. My first
every ski race and with it my first every Worldloppet race! I thought I will make it no matter
what. After my first ski lesson I wasn't so sure
anymore, even less my wife. But then the day
came and after only a couple of days of my life
on skis, I got on my skis and went for it. And I
made it. I got second last before the cut off time!
And my hunger for more was immediately there!“
Preetam remembers, still having to smile on his
tremendous victory over himself – a second time
after his first running a marathon in Hamburg
some years back.
I
n the meantime, I also became a Worldloppet
Silver Master. The first one from India! You can
imagine what my next goal is, or?!“ Preetam
asks me winking at me. I already picture him before my inner eye racing all the races which will
give him the title of Worldloppet Gold Master.
And who knows..maybe he will ski on becoming
a Global Master.
I am deeply impressed. Maybe it is because it is
far after midnight when I leave his house, or
maybe I am just so inspired by what he has told
me during the last couple of hours, but I leave
the house with the determination to get my running shoes out at once after I returned home and
to inscribe myself for a ski race next winter. I
have no idea how I will survive this race, but as
I have learned from Preetam: If you really want
something, you can do it. And if he achieved
this, so will I!
„Once I started with racing Worldloppet race, I
met a lot of people and made many new friends.
WORLDLOPPET
49
INTERVIEW >> Petr Novak
PETR NOVAK (CZE)
FIS MARATHON CUP WINNER OVERALL 2014/2015
50
WORLDLOPPET
watched by the people then traditional races of
the World Cup.
In general I got back to long distance skiing beWL: Congratulations first of all to your victory in
the overall FIS Marathon Cup! A success you
cause I wanted to win the overall FIS Marathon
Cup ☺ and because I like this type of racing….
tried to achieve already in the years before but it
had never worked out before. What has been
different this time?
PN: Last season I was very close to the overall
victory but in the end I preferred to participate in
the Olympic Games in Sochi and the victory in
overall ranking was lost. This season, I fully concentrated on the FIS Marathon Cup and on winning the overall. Finally I succeed and all the
effort I had put in so far paid off and I really enjoyed the victory.
WL: In 2014 you made the Czech Team for the
Sochi Olympics, one season later you are back
in long distance skiing. For an elite athlete, what
is the difference between the World Cup circuit
with Olympic Games and World Championships
and the FIS Marathon Cup which includes some
of the world's greatest popular cross country ski
races? And why did you decide to get back to
the latter one?
PN: There are plenty of reasons why I concentrate myself on cross country long distance
races:
1. Already for a few years now there is not a
good and pleasant atmosphere between the
Czech national team and me and I really do want
to enjoy kiing and not to be stressed by it.
2. The Czech national team was not interested
in me being part of the team.
3. Long distance competitions have still a better
race atmosphere and they now start to be more
WL: Private teams are not yet that natural and
normal in cross country skiing as they are in cycling. You have created your own little team. How
do you perceive the difficulties of finding sponsors and partners in order to be able to fully concentrate on training and to pursue the training
itself which means following a rigid training plan?
How do you manage both?
PN: Our family team was created due to these
very simple reasons. It is very hard to find strong
partners who can cover all costs related to the
preparation phase, the races as well as for the
waxing service. I managed to find only smaller
sponsors and due to the fact that most of the
WORLDLOPPET
51
INTERVIEW >> Petr Novak
costs I have to cover from my personal savings,
costs and eventually also the athlete’s salary. Till
we created a family team called Novak team. I
this year I was depending on price money from
have already prepared the training plan myself
the races which I then used to cover all costs re-
for several years and have now found the ideal
lated to my profession and the competitions.
combination of training patterns which suit me
Let’s hope that this year's victory will bring me
best.
some interesting opportunities and offers.
WL: With having won the overall FIS Marathon
WL: After the season is before the season: What
Cup now, do you think things will be easier now?
are your goals for the winter 2015/16?
The last Czech to have won it was Stanislav
PN: Too hard to answer at the moment. For sure
Rezac in 2012. How is long distance skiing seen
I will concentrate myself on racing next season's
in the Czech Republic and what kind of support
Vasaloppet. The rest of the season is still a big
is there for athletes?
question mark. Maybe I will take part in all Ski
PN: We will see during the next season. Cur-
Classics races or I will try to confirm my victory
rently I´m running negotiations with possible
in the overall FIS Marathon Cup.
sponsors and teams. It is possible that I will appear in some foreign team as well as in some
WL: Thank you very much for your time! All the
Czech team concentrating on Ski Classic races.
best for the training season – enjoy the summer
As I mentioned before, it is very hard to find
and see you again next winter!
some strong sponsors who would cover the
52
WORLDLOPPET
USHUAIA LOPPET
ONE YEAR WITH WORLDLOPPET
A
good omen, the snow began and began
in a big way in the month of May in sout-
hern Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego. As of
July, the snow conditions have added up to be
the best they have been in 15 years in the region
making things that much easier for the Ushuaia
Loppet Race Organization going into its first
Worldloppet year.
As part of the body of events that the Ushuaia
Loppet is offering, the “Mes internacional de
esquí de fondo” or “International Month of Cross
Country Skiing” spans much of August. During
that time, the traditional Marchablanca 21 KM
will take place in classic technique on the 16th
of August. The Marchablanca is competitive for
the skiers at the front and a traditional family
event for hundreds more skiers as well. The 42
KM freestyle Worldloppet member Ushuaia Loppet will take place on the 8th of August.
Thanks to support from the provincial and federal Argentine tourism authorities, the Ushuaia
Loppet’s Race Organization is making improvements to its structure and, ultimately, to its services to skiers.
More grooming, especially
during the month of August, is one of several improvements occurring in the region.
WORLDLOPPET
53
USHUAIA LOPPET
A
s of July, entries to the Ushuaia Loppet consisted of skiers from eighteen countries. The event
had also filled 75% of its 120 available spots. Registration remains open until August 6th. Visit
www.ushuaialoppet.com for more information.
Race CEO, Pablo Valcheff, states “these world class events promote the development of the local and regional economy and allow us to demonstrate the potential for nordic skiing in Argentina by inviting skiers
from all over the world to come to Patagonia, participate in a Worldloppet race, and get their Worldloppet
Passport stamped in the Earth’s southernmost city.”
54
WORLDLOPPET
IMPRESSION
Dear Worldloppet skiers and friends of Worldloppet,
After four years working as Press and Media Manager with Wordloppet and long distance skiing
around the world, it is time now for me to move on. It was a wonderful time – what else could it be
when working in such a great sports environment. Like every Worldloppet skier, I could experience
the different cultures and places in which the races are set and I had the pleasure to meet many of
you at Worldloppet receptions, at the start or in the finish.
The energy and enthusiasm which can be felt at every race is incredible and inspiring. For the four
new races, Worldloppet has opened many doors and has produced a lot of energy. This had an
enormous impact especially locally: The communities got more involved in the race and many tried
out skiing for the first time. But also the other way round, the four new races have enriched the Worldloppet environment with their experiences, view on things and way of celebrating long distance skiing.
Through the love to the same sport, understanding and respect are nurtured in the Worldloppet community – this is fantastic and cannot be valued highly enough. I hope this will continue in the future,
therefore keep on skiing and spread the word! I will for sure.
See you around the skiing tracks of this world!
Photo: C. Fritz
Best regards,
Christina Fritz
X-IUM, BORN TO WIN
« Equipment development is based on constant interaction
with Rossignol’s teams out in the field or in the factory. The
improvements that we endorse together are those that will help
me win tomorrow’s competitions. The X-IUM WORLD CUP series
from Rossignol has been developed with the aim of offering
supreme performance skis for a given type of snow ».
Martin Fourcade, winner of the overall standings at the Biathlon
World Cup for the fourth year running.
X-IUM PREMIUM SKATE
X-IUM SKATE
©KALICE / © Agence ZOOM
ANOTHERBESTDAY
MartinFourcade
BANDOFHEROES