International Association of Worldloppet Skiers

The snow was abundant and the weather glorious. What more could you want for a 54km trek across the Norwegian mountains?  The views were stunning, the snow-clad trees looked like fat snowmen squatting in the snow.  What a magical day?

Staying in Lillehammer at the hostel above the train station is highly recommended as it very convenient when arriving by train.  Also, the buses to the Nordic ski trails of Sjusjeon and Nordsetter depart from outside the station allowing skiers to prepare on the last third of the race course or just enjoy the 200kms of trails in the mountains above Lillehammer without having to climb up the 600+ vertical metres from Lillehammer.

The only disadvantage to staying in Lillehammer was that we missed the Worldloppet Masters’ pasta party as it was held in Rena, 2 hours drive away on the Friday evening.

Bib pick-up was available in either Rena or at Hakon Hall, Lillehammer on Thursday afternoon.   At Hakon Hall there was also a huge clothing and equipment sale that was well patronised by Norwegian skiers grasping overflowing shopping baskets full of bargains. Continue reading →

On Sunday 11^th March the 50^th Engadin ski marathon was held in the spectacular Engadin Valley in Switzerland.  Many aspects of the race were organised to celebrate the 50 years of the event; in the St Moritz Elevator Gallery there was an art display of pictures from previous races, the 42km race course made a “50” groomed race circuit shape in the snow which would have looked brilliant from above and near Silvaplana there was a billboard display with children wearing a separate race bib for each year of the Engadin marathon.

Leading up to the race we were extremely fortunate to have a couple of days of sunny warm weather to explore the race trails up and down the valley.  We also skied the trail to Mortertasch Glacier which is a highly recommended diversion from training on the race course.

Bib pickup started on Thursday and was highly efficient at St Moritz Bad Health Centre where a large ski expo lined the sides of the cross-country ski trail.  The expo area became extremely busy on Saturday afternoon as some 20,000 skiers and friends converged on St Moritz.

On the Saturday afternoon there was a Worldloppet Masters’ Reception attended by about 80 people.  It was a great opportunity to socialise with like-minded skiers from many different nations over wine and nibbles and to recognise the efforts and persistence of new Worldloppet Masters.

Catching the bus on race morning from St Moritz Bad was a time-consuming task as there were hundreds of skiers lined up at various transport pick up spots and only buses fully laden with skiers passing by.  I recommend allowing plenty of time ( 1 hours +) to wait for transport to the race start and be prepared to stand on a crowded bus for more than 30minutes.  As we alighted from the bus at the race start at Malorja it was lightly raining and skiers were dashing about trying to find plastic bags to use as temporary rain jackets and heading to the 2 large heated tents.  Fortunately, the rain was short-lived and very soon turned to wet snow for the next hour or so.  Our ski gloves were no sodden and cold.  By the time the race started it was mostly dry however remained cloudy and ominous for the rest of the day with the slower skiers experiencing more rain later in the day.  The temperature fluctuated around zero – 4 degrees for most of the day.

As we prepared our equipment at the race start, we noticed there were many skiers in fancy dress teams including a large group of smurfs, a collection of Mexicans, a few apes and ducks were spotted, a couple of pirates and an assortment of tutu costumes.  Some of the costumed racers also had some great music emitting from their outfit.  It all added to the race birthday theme.

At the start there was a significant number of well-labelled trucks, where skiers deposited their race bag with spare clothes that was transported to the finish. But it was a very busy area with surging crowds of bag and ski laden participants going in opposite directions and the occasional urgent skier pushing through.  The luxurious clothing bags that were handed out with the bibs were a great idea instead of the usual plastic bag that is thrown away after the event.  Skiers could take these sturdy colourful bags home and use them as reusable shopping bags as well as a souvenir of the race.

The race began with “Happy Birthday to Engadin” being played over the loud speakers.  The elite had a mass start but as there were some 22,000 citizen skiers following in the gold 42km race and silver 21km race awaiting in steel fenced ‘paddocks’ in an ideal start format.  This allowed everyone to commence skiing in a safe and relaxed manner.  Citizen skiers went into paddocks holding their skis and when your start time arrived you walked into the start zone and had 5 minutes to put your skis on and begin skiing.  Friendly helpers with devices to clear snow from ski boots were there assist. Your time began when you crossed the start line.

The first 10 kilometres or so was across frozen lakes, before reaching the first uphill where the pace slowed to a stop as skiers 6 wide herringboned up the steep incline. Then a short downhill and a little flat terrain and the course went right through the middle of the ski expo with lots of spectators and a brass band playing.  Next was the climb out of St Moritz where the progress ground to a snail’s pace, however enthusiastic spectators plied skiers with bananas, drinks and glucose tablets.  This really exhibited the local community’s support for the event.  Beyond the climb out St Moritz, the views were spectacular as some peaks tried to break through the cloud.  The course wound through a forested section before descending down the famous “Mattress Hill,” so named because the trees close to the race track are wrapped in orange mattresses to protect skiers who crash at speed weaving around the trees.  There is also a safe walking route option around this steep section as it does get very busy with skiers of varying skill levels trying to ski down the hill as fast as possible, resulting in some spectacular crashes at speed.  Hurtling down the hill beyond the trees and it’s a quick ski across the trains tracks before the final descent into Pontresina where the 21km half marathon finishes.

Now, I thought the trail might become less congested however this was not to be as the groomed trail narrowed to 2 skiers wide for a few kilometres with some more short sharp ups and downs.  Near Samedan the route flattened and widened, finally giving an opportunity for faster skiers to overtake safely before skiing the big 50 ‘shape’ in the snow.  The final third of the course was undulating and passed directly through several villages where spectators weren’t deterred by the threatening weather conditions and turned out in large groups to cheer weary skiers along.  The last few uphills I actually had to skate up, rather than herringboning as the crowds of skiers had thinned in the final rush to the finish line.  Finally a sharp left turn, down to cross the river and up to the finish line to join the thousands of skiers who had got there before me and were celebrating their success with drinks and food.

Having race bibs with my name printed on it, meant that on many occasions spectators and other skiers called out my name.  I also had an Australian flag on my bib which was a conversation point for other skiers.  A suggestion for race organisers would be to have the skiers’ first name and their country printed on bibs rather than first name and family name as is the current practise for this event.

The race was run in very good spirit with a lot of cooperation and politeness amongst skiers.  At many squeeze points especially uphills, or a narrowing of the track progress was halted yet the vast majority of skiers patiently waited their turn.  In one particular situation beyond Pontresina, as we waited, friendly conversation broke out amongst skiers and I convinced 2 swiss skiers to consider visiting Australia for the Kangaroo Hoppet, Australia’s Worldloppet ski race.

The majority of skiers skate the Engadin however classic tracks were laid and in the early stages of the race, a 40cm snow berm separated the skate lane from the classic tracks.  The classic tracks remained intact for most of the race with skate skiers mostly avoiding skiing over the classic tracks. Some skate skiers used the classic tracks to double pole as in some spots it was faster and also gave the legs a break from the skating technique.  The classic tracks were also a good way to overtake slower skaters when it was congested.  Overall the grooming was excellent, though in the flat light it was tricky to see where the skate lane finished and I found myself off the packed track and in soft snow a few times especially when overtaking.

At the refreshment stations there many friendly volunteers who had trays of drinks, bananas, muesli bars and chocolate that was well-spaced, so there were lots of options to obtain a drink, food then another drink even though there were significant numbers of other skiers trying to do the same thing.  Well done!

Bands playing music at several locations throughout the race were a welcome distraction, creating a light-hearted party atmosphere.

All in all, the Engadin lived up to it’s reputation as a popular extremely enjoyable race on the Worldloppet calendar.  It contains a collection of flat sections, undulating sections, meadow sections and some more challenging climbs and descents.   Just remember to look up occasionally at the surrounding white peaks.

Marg Hayes, Australia

Thanks to Alan Levy for some of the photos.

Poland certainly puts on an extensive array of races at the Jakuszyce cross country trail area including 3 Worldloppet races, being 2 silver and 1 gold as well as some shorter races.  Friday 2^nd March was the 30km freestyle (silver), Saturday 3^rd March (gold) was the 50km classic and Sunday 4^th March (silver) was the 25km classic race.

Our last visit to Jakuszyce, Poland was in 2014 when the snow was extremely marginal causing the Bieg Piastow Worldloppet races to almost be cancelled.  Races were run,  just, but were significantly shortened to just 10km with a lot of unavoidable brown snow and stones in the finish approach area.  This year we were absolutely delighted when we peered out of the train windows as we left the Czech Republic and approached Jakuszyce, Poland to see an awesome snow cover.  We couldn’t wait to get our skis on and explore the well-groomed trail network for several days prior to the races.

Whilst skiing around the tracks we kept meeting up with other Australians who we didn’t know were coming to Poland.  In the end we counted 12 Australians so we all had dinner together one night in one of the many affordable restaurants in Szklarska Poreba.  It was great catching up with Aussie friends and news as we had flown out of Australia on Xmas Day heading to China on our Worldloppet extravaganza.  It was hard to believe there were so many Australians who had come so far to ski the Bieg Piastow.  Between us we were skiing all three Polish Worldloppet races, so we had a good cheer squad as well.

To get to Poland we had flown into Prague, however there is no straight forward route via public transport from there. There are slow trains, often with numerous changes, however we caught an express bus to Liberec then the scenic train to Szklarska Poreba. The journey took about 4.5 hours. However, we learnt that there is now a direct train from Wroclaw Poland to Szklarska Poreba taking just 2.5 hours so that maybe worth investigating.

There are a few hotels at Jakuszyce where the cross country trails are, but we chose to stay in an apartment at Szklarska Poreba to enjoy the atmosphere and facilities of the friendly small tourist town less than 10km from the skiing.  The train departs every hour or two for Jakuszcyce and is very inexpensive, i.e. $3AUS.  On race days regular free buses are provided from Szklarska Poreba (and beyond) to the race start area for skiers and spectators.

At bib pick-up a detailed colour course map for each of the distances was included in the race bag so it was easy to know the exact course before the event and get to know where the tricky downhills and long uphills were situated.

The Polish race organisers invited all Worldloppet Masters to a delicious free dinner on Friday 2^nd March at the Bornit Hotel in Szklarska Poreba.  It was great to meet up with skiers from many different countries.  The Polish Worldloppet Masters’ Reception is certainly hard to beat with food and local presents.

The 30km and 25km courses were very similar with the 30km course having a tough extra 5km that wound up and down some hills.  The 50km course went in reverse to the shorter courses and included some extra distance on further out loops.  All of the courses involved quite a few hills with the longest and steepest on the 50km course.  It was an extremely interesting course with a variety of terrain from forested tracks to high points with views across to snow covered peaks. The 50km course seemed to twist and turn, up and down and I felt like we visited every track junction on the trail system and more.

The cold temperatures continued for the first few days with the thermometer hovering between -10 and -15 degrees, however there was little precipitation like in other parts of Europe.  Friday dawned clear and cold with a frosty start for the 500 freestyle racers as they tried to stay warm before the race began.  Classic skiers (approximately 30) appreciated the one classic track being provided despite most skiers being skaters.

On Saturday it was another cold start of around -14 degrees though by the time the 2 000 skiers had skied the first 4kms uphill most people had warmed up.  The bag deposit and change tents were right next to the start area so it was easy to stay inside until a few minutes before the race began.  It was mostly cloudy during the event apparently warming up to -8 degrees though with the cool wind I felt it was much colder in the forest.  Nearing the finish I skied into a sunny patch and instantly warmed, mmmm …nice!.

Sunday’s 25km race had approximately 1200 skiers who thoroughly enjoyed the warmer temperatures of -4 degrees and sunshine, though a cold breeze was blowing during the afternoon. There was a significant number of slower skiers requiring faster skiers to regularly change lanes. Race organisers could encourage slower skiers to stay right unless overtaking by displaying a few signs with arrows indicating this, as the Vasaloppet does.

The races started in waves of approximately 250 skiers with 2 minute intervals. This was just enough time to spread much of the congestion, though the tracks were busy for much of the race in the classic events.  For instance, the 25km race was very congested until the Orle drink and food station, about half way into the course.

There were regular drink and food stops attended by friendly volunteers.  It was great to have a variety of food available at refreshment stops such as banana, chocolate pieces, orange segments, muesli bars and biscuits.  A suggestion for organisers is to place rubbish bins or rubbish collection structures 20 metres along the track after the station so skiers can throw their rubbish in bins rather than creating a mass of cups and a hazard all over the tracks as well as being a big mess to be cleaned up afterwards.

Whilst the races were in progress the cross-country ski tracks were officially closed to other skiers. This meant there were few non-racers on the tracks but also meant there were very few spectators along the race course except at the start and finish. Due to heavy security that wouldn’t allow you on the tracks even an hour before the races began, it was extremely difficult to have a ski and cheer for our Aussie team mates when we weren’t racing as we would usually do.

As I skied the 50km race I ticked off drink stations from last week’s Oppet Spar and found the course to be so short and easy compared to 90km of less than a week ago.  It was great to reach the finish stretch with energy and mindfulness to sprint double pole the last 3 kilometres to beat another skier who had been on my tail for kilometres. There were masses of people lining the finish shute, cheering as I crossed the finish line.  It was a great feeling to have notched up another gold Worldloppet race.

I highly recommend the Bieg Piastow to other Worldloppet skiers because of the interesting varied course (no boring repetitive loops), great organisation and the warm welcome that Worldloppet skiers receive.

By Marg Hayes

Australia

Sweden’s Vasaloppet Week is amazing, as some 100,00 skiers participate in a variety of races leading up to the main race the actual 90km Vasaloppet on Sunday 4^th March.  Races include the 30km Kortvasan, the 30km Tjejvasan (Women’s race with some 14,000 participants), Halvvasan (45km), NightVasan(90km), a relay race and the Oppet Spär(90Km).

Getting entry into the actual 90km Vasaloppet is extremely difficult for us, as internet connections in our small town in country Australia are unreliable at the best of times, so trying to be online at the exact moment race entries were opened and trying to complete the race entry before the race was filled 5 minutes later was an impossible task for us. Instead, we entered the Oppet Spär which is the Vasaloppet Open Track, run on the same 90km course 1 week prior to the main race Being an Open Track there is no winner or trophies however individual skiers’ times are recorded and best of all qualifies a successful skier with a gold stamp for a Worldloppet passport.  The start is low stress with a single line moving through a timing gate as opposed to a hectic mass start.

Arriving in Mora, Sweden (about 3.75 hours by train north of Stockholm) a few days before races commenced, we were extremely excited to see so much top quality snow.  All the way north from Stockholm there was snow everywhere.  Locals told us this was a superb snow season, the best in perhaps 20 to 50 yeas, and we were very happy to be part of it especially since on our last European Worldloppet ski trip in 2014 where we had had 3 race cancellations due to poor snow.

The atmosphere in Mora was building up with lots of road closures and barriers in place as all races finish in the main street of Mora, a medium sized regional town.  The shops all displayed welcoming signs to skiers.  We stayed at Mora Parken, a cabin park, less than 1km from the race finish. The actual race course went right through the park, so it was a great location to watch the multitude of races, as well as being able to ski right out the door when there wasn’t races happening. Ski waxing  rooms are also provided at Mora Parken, facilities we struggled to find in many of our previous accommodations.

Friday 23^rd February was the Kortvasan, a race along the final 30 kilometres of the Vasaloppet course.  Successfully finishing the Kortvasan, some 12,000 skiers skied the gently undulating 30km course.  It was extremely well-organised with skiers leaving in waves of approximately 1,000 skiers every 15 minutes from 9am from Oxberg.  This meant the fastest skies in wave 1 were finished in Mora before the final waves commenced their race after 12 noon.  It was -3 degrees and still in the forest.  The recent snowfalls meant the snow was very light and fluffy resulting in slow glide.  The tracks remained in good condition throughout, even for the slower, later skiers.  The course was mostly in the forest with a few small villages being skied through. Enthusiastic spectators gathered at any possible road /race course junction to cheer skiers along, yelling “hejah, hejah.” It certainly spurred skiers on.

Sunday 25^th February was Sondag Oppet Spär with some 7,200 skiers, there was also another Oppet Spar on Monday 26^th February with 5,000 skiers. If staying in Mora, the 90km Oppet Spär involves catching a bus from Mora between 4am and 5am to be transported 2 hours to the event start at Salen. Being an Open Track, skiers could start anytime between 7am and 8am. Cut-off times seemed fairly generous, with the final being 7pm at Eldris, 9km from the finish.

Temperatures had dropped significantly in the 24hours before the Sunday Oppet Spar. It had been a pleasant -3 degrees with snow falling all day Saturday during the Tjejvasan, but predictions for Sunday was for -12 degrees rising to -8 degrees. However, when we arrived at Salen, the race start, at 6.30am, temperature gauges were displaying -17 degrees. Speedily, we got ready not wanting to linger in the cold. There was a plentiful supply of toilets, warm water was available and the baggage trucks displayed big number signs.

It didn’t seem too cold as we started skiing at about 7.15am, plus I figured with a 2 kilometre hill (the longest hill on the course) after only 1 km skiing, I would warm up quickly, however this wasn’t the case as the temperature seemed to get colder and colder, even expending energy climbing the hill didn’t warm me up. There was a moving queue on the big hill, much more so than when we had skied the Vasaloppet a few years ago. Up and up we went and finally reached the top of the hill crowded amongst the other skiers. The terrain then became undulating and continued like this all the way to Mora. There was a few larger ascents and descents in the middle of the course around Risberg/Evertsberg but realistically the track is fairly benign.

By the time I had skied 10 kilometres, I was bitterly cold; I knew I needed more clothing if I was to continue. Fortunately, I always carry a bumbag with light-weight jacket, warm gloves /and extra hat, otherwise I would have had to pull out as the risk of hypothermia was too high. I donned all my layers and it took another 5 kilometres before my frozen body started to warm up and I began to enjoy the pretty scenery with the first morning rays reflecting off the snow-covered trees. The race course passes numerous frozen lakes; some tiny, others expansive. Traditional wooden holiday cabins dotted the landscape.  The sun gave little warmth, but it was glorious skiing under blue skies with superb lighting on the frozen landscape.

There are few ski races where the average citizen skier begins skiing before the sun rises and if fast enough finishes before the sun sets, though with the final cut off being 7pm at Eldris (9kms before the finish) tired skiers were skiing the last sections of the course in the dark, with some coming in as late as 8.30-9pm.

For the first part of the Oppet Spar the track is extremely wide with some 8 classic tracks extending for 20 + kilometres. Skiers were shoulder to shoulder, faster skiers zipping between tracks if a small gap occurred. Onto Evertsberg (halfway) there was 6 classic tracks and for the final part of the course there was 4 classic tracks. All the way it was busy making it important to pay attention to what other skiers were doing, especially on the downhills. The classic tracks held well considering the numbers.

The drink stations were masses of skiers, so busy and chaotic that at the first couple of stops it was a long queue to even get a drink. A few volunteers had trays of drinks but often you had to queue at tables. Choices were very limited with only water, blueberry drink, enervit, coffee (at some) and small bread rolls offered. I was extremely glad that in my pockets I had extra food bars, cashews and some sugary treats otherwise I would have been very hungry. I recommend skiers carry extra food with you for sustenance, unless white bread rolls are your food of choice.

Organisers managed the rubbish from skiers extremely well by providing many rubbish bins as well as marked zones where skiers could drop rubbish. There was also a 15 minute penalty for anyone dropping rubbish outside of these zones which is a brilliant idea as in some race like the Marcialonga we were appalled at the rubbish from energy sachets dropped in many locations along the race course. Maybe other races should enforce a similar time penalty for those who incorrectly dispose of their rubbish.

Every kilometre there was signage informing skiers how many kilometres to the finish and how many kilometres to the next drink station. Compared to most other Worldloppet races the signage was exceptional; being of a size that was easily seen, very clear and easy to understand. It was so good not having to do a mental calculation to work out how far to go.

Transport of warm clothes was efficiently conducted with trucks in start areas indicating race numbers where skier’s numbered plastic bags could be deposited. On finishing the race, skiers were transported via bus a couple of kilometres to the sports stadium where skiers collected their plastic bags then had warm showers before being bussed back to the start area to pick up skis and diplomas. Drinks and protein bars were available at the end of the race, but no meal was offered after any of the races except after the actual main Vasaloppet race.

Finishing the Oppet Spar I felt a real sense of achievement, having skied 90km in one freezing cold day and arriving before sunset in less than my friend’s prediction of 9 hours. I recommend the Oppet Spar to all Gold Worldloppet skiers, you should do it at least once in your Worldloppet career.

By Marg Hayes

Australia

Three days of skiraces, classic and skate, many participants and a good skiarena. Yes, Jizerska is good. This year the weather was also good or did you notice? It’s when weather is bad people notice. Temperatures where around minus 5-6 to almost zero degrees each day (degrees celcius, we are in Europe).

Skiarena in Bedrichov where start and finish are, is about 10km from Liberec centrum. On Saturday and Sunday there are shuttlebusses for participants and later on spectators. The skate race on Friday starts as late as 13:00 and we drove our own car to start. Parking should be plenty we were told but when we showed up, not late, we searched a lot to find a parking spot. I don’t think we were allowed to park where we ended up but we had to, race was on.

The skate race was 30km and not that many skiers, around 500. Good thing it was no more because the tracks were often wide enough only for 1.8 skiers skating, not two. So varying rude passings were made every now and then. To top it off: one skier NOT participating in the race told me to get out of the track because he was skiing faster than me. WTF?! With many skaters and narrow tracks the uphills got softer snow and made uphills even more hard. Espacially this non-stop 6km uphill after the 7km mark. After that part the tracks were pretty nice and easy.

The view you get in this kind of tracks is a lot of trees. Dens forest. It is a lot of forest roads you are skiing on. With snow on trees is was a christmas postcard scenary. A little more mountain views and oversights would have been nice. Each WL race is different, different taste and format.

The main 50km classic race on Sunday had a lot of skiers. Maybe not a record or maybe it was. Good weather again. One recommandation I would like to give the arrangers is to widen up the first few kilometers of track. It is just to narrow for this many skiers. With more wide tracks the skiers levels would even out faster. We ended up walking in line for a long time. Elite skiers get less walking in line, good for them.

In finish area we got a big glass medal that got very visible on my trophy wall back home. Food for evey skiers is included in start fee. All races should have that. I have seen some marathons that only offer cold fruit drinks in finish and you have to buy warm food. Three different meal were offered. All good, I think, because you only got one. The queue lines to get food were not noticed on the short races on Friday and Saturday but on Sunday these lines were very long, miles it felt like. From one end of the long eating tent, to the other end and then back again! Wow. Some people just skipped that line and bough warm food on one of the stands outside. Please add more capacity to the food serving.

Jizerska is a good race destination. Several races, good races, good ski arena and very low prices. Go to a restaurant, eat and drink beer all you can and you’ll see the low prices compared to other nations. Hotels and busses are also very cheap. Compared to other WL races this is a very cheap trip BUT just as good as any WL race destination. Value for money is what we call it.

Worldloppet Reception on Friday evening was very nice. Nice food, nice people. “The best reception” as Boris said to all.

-mvh Lars