A mountain has more as one site - König Ludwig Lauf

by Nancy L. Caviët

April 17, 2012

It has a dark site and a sunny site
The dark site sometimes the weather is much colder as usual and during a cross country ski race the risk for cold injuries is higher as usual. Or sometimes bad luck and somebody dies

The sunny site. The victory or reaching the finish line before cut-off time. The wonderful surrounding

Meeting new and old friends. Sometimes loosing people because they stop cross country ski races. Not healthy enough, not enough money or other reasons. Real good friends, you will not lose them.

A physical side but also a cultural side
The track of the König Ludwig Lauf  passes the castle “Schloss Linderhof”

Participate in the race, being a spectator or being part of the organisation.
I am glad I only need to ski the race. If something goes other as planned, the newspapers knew to find the organisation.
After the König Ludwig Lauf 2012 the newspapers wrote: ”Hätten die Rennen am Sonntag abgesagt werden müssen?“  The translation: Did they need to cancel he race?
Personally I am glad they did not cancel. Now every athlete could make the decision: Participating? Do not start (DNS)? Or stop before reaching the finish line (DNF)
I decided to do the race on Saturday and the short one on Sunday. It was hard but nice.

Expectation
Que sera sera. Whatever will be, will be

 

            Maybe coming back in the summer and enjoying walking in the mountains or climbing mountains

Kofel 01-02-2012  In winter

            A easy side and a less easy ( difficult) side

View from top of the Kofel. Summer 2010

A touristic side and a spiritual side
Every 10 years they organise “The Passionspiele” in Oberammergau. It is about the last days of Jesus Christ. It is very impressive.

You need to book well in advance. The next performance will be in 2020

 

This year the König Ludwig Lauf was challenging.

 

Small boy’s big challenge for WL

by Minoru Matsuyama

April 15, 2012

Mr. Suomi Matsuyama is living in Sapporo Japan started to challenge WL ski race from 2009 when he was 9 years old. He finished 25 km race of Jizerska 50 in CZE. He got first WL stamp and after the race got a mail from race office. Suomi is our youngest racer, so for Suomi is free entry fee for all races in Jizerska 50
We hope, that you come next year. Two big WL skiers celebrated his first race.

In 2010 he was 10 years old, this year his race was Finlandia-hiihito 32 km CT with mother and 20 km FT by himself in Finland. Under the warm temperature and soft snow condition many skiers struggle with skiing & waxing, it took long time to finish the race. But he had enough power not to say mother please wait for me, he told to mother are you fine? I am waiting for you. He got 2nd stamp in Lahti on Saturday.
On Sunday he skied again by himself for 20km skating race. Finlandia-Junior 20km FT race is the best gateway to the WL for young skiers. After the Finlandia we moved to Poland, Bieg Piastow, snow condition was perfect he enjoyed 26kmCT race, last 3km he sprinted with Polish boy. He saw many famous WL skiers at the reception. He had wonderful ski life and got 3rd stamp in Poland.

In 2011 this winter is family ski year for him, we visited Estonia and Sweden.

In Estonia it was so cold condition -25C, then children’s race was canceled.

But our family started on Sunday’s race. Father started long race in the morning then at the connection point waited for family for the short race. It was so difficult to wait on the snow about 40 minutes, too cold. Then we are three skiers started for the finish, it took so long time, last 3 km it was getting dark and colder, we rested last food station sat near the fire and took coffee and snack, we stayed there 15mintes then started again for the finish line. His 31km race finish time was only 11 minutes before the time limit, congratulation for his 4th stamp under so severe cold condition.
We moved to Mora, he entry UngdomsVasan(Children race) & KortVasan(Family race). Our family started under the good snow and course condition from Oxberg. Our family enjoyed 30km CT race so good ski condition. Then he got 5th stamp for WL silver Master.

Thanks a lot for big contribution and many aid mails from all over the world for Japanese big disaster Earthquake, Tsunami & accident of Atomic power plant in Fukusima in 2011.3.11. We apologize for spreading pollution of radioactive substance from Fukusima, where situation is still dangerous now.

We leave Japan soon for his 6th WL race in Austria, see you soon on the snow!!

 

 

 

 

Gatineau Loppet 2012

by Minoru Matsuyama

April 9, 2012

Gatineau Loppet  CT 51km

I hesitated to try again GL for a long time, because of so cold conditions. But in 2012, we were very lucky such a wonderful condition of Gatineau Loppet weekend. On Saturday morning temperature was only minus 2 degree and noon nearly zero degree, almost fine day, it was little snowing around the noon. Mild weather and excellent snow condition was good for both skiers and volunteers. Prime minister of Estonia, Mr. Andrus ASPIN took part in CT race this year. I remember that I skied with him in 2010 Sapporo Ski Marathon & Bieg Piastow, it was good weather & snow condition too! We are lucky skiers aren't we?

Race started with each two minutes wave start, we skied short loop at first near the start & finish area, it was very good idea for bottleneck before the narrow course from 15 km point, there were no traffic jam.
We skied easy without stress of bottleneck, and perfect groomed and hard ski track was made us wonderful CT ski race.
Winner:  MEN        Jon Ame EVEVOLDSON (NOR)  2:37:45
          WOMEN     Tatiana Larionova (RUS)        3:21:23

IAWLS members:

Phil Shaw	CAN	2:37:47
Piotr Szkarlat	POL	3:25:03
Saul Goldman	CAN	3:54:06
Markku Rahikkala	FIN	3:54:30
Andrus Aspin	EST	3:57:13
Minoru Matsuyama	JPN	3:57:59
Robert Palliser	CAN	3:58:40
Hannes Larsson	FRA	4:35:34

 

Gatineau Loppet   FT 51km

On Sunday snow condition was excellent, it was minus 6 degree in the morning and nearly zero degree at noon, all day sunshine and blue sky.
Racecourse was same with CT 51km on Saturday. Race started with wave start on schedule, but wave D & E started together, was it good? This race was more faster ski race than CT, some skiers skied with GPS, they checked their maximum speed was 50 to 60km/hour from Pink Lake for a long decent.
We enjoyed Gatineau Loppet challenge both 51 km CT & FT ski race under the perfect condition this year, may be one of the best three good condition of the history of Gatineau Loppet (Keskinada Loppet).

WINNER:  MEN     Adam SWANK (USA) 2:06:51
          WOMEN  Amanda AMMER (CAN) 2:24:54

 

IAWLS members:

Phil Shaw	CAN	2:17:25
Piotr Szkarlat	POL	2:59:42
Saul Goldman	CAN	3:03:19
Robert Palliser	CAN	3:23:35
Craig Alexander	AUS	3:31:49
Minoru Matsuyama	JPN	3:35:34
Hannes Larsson	FRA	4:14:33
Hans Rudolf Ackermann	SWI	4:41:56

      

2012 39th American Birkebeiner ~Cable to Hayward, WI. Feb 25th

By Bjorn Hanson

March 26, 2012

In the US as many places there was a lack of snow in the 2011-12 season. Not in Hayward! One of the few spots to get snow this year was the Birkie Trail. Although many hours were spent shoveling & hauling snow to ensure a World Class event. The Birkebeiner and Kortelopet (1/2 Race)reached their participant capacity of over 9000 skiers this year in November. Temp the morning of the race were approx. -10c For the first Classic waves there was a lite snow falling for approx. the first 16km. Followed with Clear Blue skies and temps around -5c.As a whole the event ran very smoothly with wonderful weather for both skiers & spectators. This year the Am. Birkie expanded their Race Event booklet. This booklet has all of the information regarding the event- Start Times, Parking, Food etc. Many WL skiers and domestic skiers commented on how this was extremely helpful. Once again the ABSF ran a World Class Event!

 

 

Sapporo Ski Marathon 2012

by Minoru Matsuyama

March 15, 2012

From this winter Sapporo Ski Marathon is held first weekend of February just same schedule with Konig Ludwig Lauf. There were 160 oversea skiers last year that was new record of Sapporo ski marathon, but this time only 50 oversea skiers because of our catastrophe FUKUSIMA (Earthquake, Tunami & Nuclear electric plant accident), FUKUSIMA is still risky now.

This winter temperature was stable colder than last winter, on the race day it was best snow and weather condition, at the start temperature was minus 5 degree and at noon minus 2 degree, no wind, sunshine all day. Big group from Finland 15 skiers, women’s winner and men’s second were Swiss skiers.

Course was perfect condition for both FT & CT this time. Total finisher was 543 skiers for 50km & 475 skiers for 25km, race is getting smaller year by year recently.

Winner is Hiroya Funamizu (JPN) 2:32:51 (MEN)
          Pichard Lena (SEI) 2:56:10 (WOMEN)

 

 

 

 

 

Marcialonga 2012

by Minoru Matsuyama

February 29, 2012

35th Lavaze Loppet

Lack of snow condition was same in Italy, recently we find snow machine in Lago Lavaze. This ski race was more big number of skiers about 400 skiers several years ago, this winter was normal size race with 210skiers. Temperature was minus 10 degree at the start, after sunshine coming temperature was up to nearly 0 degree, no wind no cloud, sunshine nice race day!! We enjoyed beautiful Dolomiten Mountains during the ski race. Snow condition was well, classic course was groomed well and hard. Net distance was 19 km.

Winner is Moriggl Thomas (ITA) 45:32 (MEN)

De Martin Topranin Virgin (ITA) 52:19 (WOMEN).

 

39th Marcialonga

From this year Marcialonga logo was changed to a new simple design.

Snow condition was same lack of snow, but ski course was already well groomed one week before the race, perfect condition of Long White Snake!! On the race day temperature was minus 5 degree at the start, no wind, it was wonderful day for the race. 7200 skiers started Moena to the finish in Cavalese. From Moena to Canazei there is no stressful point with ideal starting system and good grip for gentle ascending course, but after Canazei course change to descending but we need more effort and time to glide. One Norwegian skier told to me today’s snow was ski eating snow, it was difficult to ski, tough race today. After the race very beautiful and fantastic fire works celebrated all finishers.

Winner is Jorgen Aukland (NOR) 2:55:37 (MEN)

Susanne Nystrom (SWE) 3:23:20 (WOMEN)

 

Hannes' Book

Estonia, February 22, 2012

Book Review © John Miller 2012 by Dr. John Miller, Melbourne Australia.
Hannes Larsson “Cross country skiing around the world“

Publishers - Kava-Pech, Czech Republic
Anglicka 878, CZ-25229 Dobrichovice
ISBN 978-80-87169-28-5
pp 256.  €25  Recommended Retail Price
(© Hannes Larsson 2011)

Hannes Larsson a Finnish born French citizen has made a further most significant contribution to the world of international cross country skiing with this wonderful publication. His other achievements being his unique record in amassing 22 World Loppet Master titles and being a joint founder and initial President of IAWLS (International Association of World Loppet Skiers), qualify him uniquely to have authored this publication – and fortunately for his audience, we have a practitioner who writes very well. An entertaining author, Larsson demonstrates unique powers of observation, wry humor and empathy for his comrades in arms – on the XC tracks of the world. Consequently readers are in for a treat.

The book is very well presented in an attractive format and is welcoming to the reader. It’s well constructed with accurate and pithy remarks on all the major races including several beyond the World Loppet scenarios. These I found particularly fascinating – especially descriptions of the Lapponia week, the Russia loppet races, Pirkhan Hiihto, Fossavatn, Svalbard and the faraway Merino Muster in New Zealand. My favorite quotation of which there are many is from the Dolomitenlauf  “Everybody a winner over herself/himself” – the theme of all World Loppet events.
His highly personalized “Close encounters of the first kind” give an interesting glimpse of 17 couples and individuals whom Larsson knows well and admires immensely. I found his accounts of Boris and Isabelle, the Matsuyamas, Del and Graham and Marg and Bruce especially moving.

“Skiers tribulations and technical arrangements in ski races” over two compelling chapters – give Larsson the opportunity to, - on behalf of all skiers, attack those who refuse to act on IAWLS’ well reasoned advocacy to improve the starting set ups and to clear bottlenecks, the pain of all WL participants.
The book has very few errors and omissions. In the case of the latter I would have liked a fuller account of the contributions made by Madis Lepajõe, Angelo Corradini and Paddy Field. In my profession of business management there’s a saying “Structures must follow strategy”. These three outstanding and enterprising executives (like Larsson himself) have contributed more than most WL skiers can ever imagine to the well being of our beloved recreation. They each understood and acted in developing a sound strategy and its delivery. We have all benefitted from the effects of these three managerial heroes.

A few “picky” observations – the reviewer’s entitlement, include the understatement of the botanical family of Eucalypts of which the attractive Australian Snow gum is but one species – no Hannes, the Eucalypt has not 300 but 800 species! Whilst on this continent the patient at p156 is Alan Rae not “Ray”. And what of the lovely ladies (World Loppet Widows) on page 159? They are in fact Giséle Larsson, France, Ruth Miller, Australia and Kathryn Karlsson USA. On food stations I wouldn’t want a half banana pushed in my bush – despite the delight of others. The areas that did not excite this reviewer dealt with Larsson’s involvements in mathematics and Esperanto.

This is an outstanding production with many splendid photographs strikingly enhancing the impact. The only inadequate one being of a shy mountaineer in Scotland (p141) unrecognizable to his many World Loppet friends. The reviewer’s favorite photos being on page 15 of Suomi Matsuyama, p35 the Marcialonga’s Sella mountains group, p53 the Woods (typical of all Europe) in Tartu Maraton, p77 infamous Vasa bottleneck, p79/80 Engadin – the glorious Swiss alps and p122 – 123 the skier’s solitude at Svalbard.

My favorite personality of the hundreds mentioned is Leo Lansbergen of Rotterdam, who would be a forty times World Master were he able to afford intercontinental travel. Leo even cooks on his waxing iron! Oskar Svärd, Corrado Ampezzan and Robert Palliser are for me close equal seconds!

The book is full of such strong characters and personalities. Those who shape the culture of the World Loppet series – the over 110,000 skiers who participate each year from frontline stars to battling ageing or youthful “silvers” who ski only to complete (not compete) and live the Dolomitenlauf credo “Everybody a winner…” And World Loppet’s motto “Ski the World and see the World”.
This book is a must for all who love the world of cross country skiing.

It is a magnificent account of this special world.

In several countries including UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France a profound contributor and acknowledged eminent person in a field of endeavor such as is Hannes Larsson would be recognized with a national award of honor. As my tribute to the author I urge French citizens who appreciate Larsson’s multifaceted contribution to begin the process for his recognition in the Legion de Honneur of France.

About the Reviewer - John Miller

Dr. John Miller is #30 in the Global World Loppet Skier award (GWLS) and is a four times World Loppet Master. He is a member of the Wangaratta Ski Club in North-East Victoria.

 

Dolomitenlauf 2012

by Minoru Matsuyama

February 21, 2012

Dolomitenlauf Classic Race
It was mild winter, snow was melting in Austria, lack of snow condition this winter too. On Friday one day before the race in Obertiiliach snow condition of zigzag course was ice, it was not easy and safety to decent. But we are very lucky that snow falling began Friday afternoon, snow condition was drastic change to wonderful one. On Saturday, air temp was minus 6 degree at the start, no wind sunshine!! Recently there are many Nordic country skiers for this classic race. This time we could stay inside the building of biathlon center that was under construction but it was warm and enough room for changing clothes, eating foods and getting WL stamps, comfortable big room, no tents out side. Classic race was well organized with no problem.
Winner is Ahrlin Jerry (SWE) 1:55:39.

38th Dolomitenlauf Main race
On Sunday main race was held in Obertilliach because of lack of snow in Lienz, distance was 42km shorten and course profile was same on Saturday classic race. Snow & weather condition was excellent. Wonderful day it was! Before the race I talked with one Canadian skier about his schedule this year, he told that my winter race is all in Europe from J50 to Birkebinerrennet.
I found him at the bottom of the zigzag course, he was down and course out. Later I knew he was crushed with another skier and had a bad damage with his foot, then he had to cancel next eight weeks all WL ski races!! Two days zigzag course is boring for me, but it was better than cancel!
Winner is Fabio Santus (ITA) 1:43:10

 

 

 

Jizerska Padesatka 2012

by Thomas Huber

February 17, 2012

 Uncomfortable worldloppet start at Padesadka Marathon

Until 10 days before the race weekend of Padesatka the conditions were poor. Not much snow, always changing temperatures, rain. Then the forcast for race was fine because snow should come. And the snow came, wet snow with wind and fog, many people speak from the real weather in the Iser mountains. As the year before 50k race was fully booked end of last year. That shows the popularity of this classic marathon with 30k freestyle on Friday.

Again was registration and start bib picking up at shopping center in Liberec. Nice place, easy with car to go, but just picking startnumbers, more or less no exhibition of
sport equipments or similar things.

Around 500 starters have done the 30k freestyle race, winner was once more Jiri Rocarek from chzech republic. After the race was official opening ceremony with historical fashioned skiers at Bedrichov. Also worldloppet welcome party in the tent near start area.

On saturday it starts to snow at afternoon. Always around zero degrees. On Sunday it was a mix of cold-wet weather at Bedrichov and windy, snowy – foggy conditions at the top areas.
Not well for skiers and not well for the organisers to prepare the track. 4600 were registarted for long distance race, 4300 were at the start, and 3900 have finished the race. That shows that
a lot of participians  decided not race or couldn’t reach the finish line. And it was heavy, because the tracks were bad, that means slower skiers didn’t had any track. And it was like
the years before, most parts were prepared with 3 classic tracks. The first snow mobil with television was in front of the leading group, mostly in the middle, so that track was destroyed at first. The second was with the leader of woman, mostly at one side right or left, because first woman were in running in group of men. So with that soft snow the second track was also destroyed. And after some hundreds of skiers last track was flat like freestyle preparing.

A lot of skiers decided to use non wax skis with mechanical grip part or just roughened grip area. It was almost a compromise at many parts of the race. Winner Rezac used a wax ski without grip wax.  2.21 hours double pulling , not realistic for average skiers. Under first 18 finisher were 10 from Norway and 4 from sweden, that’s also an indicator that Scandinavian skiers like and dominate the classic races in Europe. Winner of woman race was Sara Svendsen from Norway in 2.42 hours. Exactly 1000 skiers finished the 25k short race on Sunday, that’s also a new record.
In the Sunday afternoon snow fall was permanently, so it was important to have the heated tent in the finish area. Organisation, wave start included was very good again.

Results from 30k race :
 FRA    Nathalie Courtine      4:01

Results from 25k race :
 POL     Piotr Szkarlat    1:53
 FRA   Boris Petroff     2:03

Results from 50k race :
 AUS    Marg Hayes       4:55
 AUS    Bruce Wharrie   7:19
 CAN   Grant Mac Load   5:58
 CZE    Filip Bloch         3:40
 CZE    Andrej Mindzac      4:02
 FRA    Herve Courtine    5:03
 FRA    Hannes Larsson    6:45
 FRA    Boris Petroff         4:52
 FRA    Patrice Turlan       6:52
 FRA    Bernard Touffait    6:56
 GER   Berndt Bellmann    6:22
 GER   Lars Schlegel        3:54
 GER    Lutz Kraemer        5:15
 GER    Thomas Huber        3:14
 ITA     Corrado Ampezzan    7:17
 ITA     Nicola Bonelli            6:05
 ITA    Maurizio Franzolin    6:09
 LUX   Yonel Maniora         4:22
 LUX   Romain Rick          6:58
 NOR    Steinar Kvaale       3:06
 NOR   Petter Osthus        4:31
 NOR  Odd Arve Rakstad   4:12
 POL    Wieslaw Klejszta    5:14
 POL    Kamil Zatonski        4:41
 RUS    Alexei Gumeniuk     4:20
 RUS    Sergey Ivanov         2:53
      

König Ludwig Lauf 2012

by Boris Petroff

February 11, 2012

For its fortieth anniversary, König Ludwig Lauf had done things well. Meticulous organization, program translates in all the languages of Worldloppet, route which visits the castle of König Ludwig, the soft and plentiful snow. Well, it was not compulsory to order the intense cold which we knew 40 years ago, during the first editions of the König!

Saturday, February 4th

-22 ° Celsius, a small North wind and an overcast weather on Saturdays for skating 50 km. Felt weather report: - 29 ° Celsius. The traders of thermal underwear, gloves Wind-stopper and the other cowls sold their stocks. More than 600 skiers on the big distance and about 500 on the 23km. On the era of departure, the sun made its appearance only at about 9:00 am: regrettably the organizers had not delayed the departure and it is on an icy plain that we had to wait the departure time.  No tents, nothing to protect itself.

What a pity!

The initial route having been slightly modified, the 50 km having risen pleasantly to the castle redid a small buckle of 10 km near the departure. For reasons which doubtless hold some security, this second buckle was very early closed (at around midday, while the cut time was announced 10 km earlier at 1:30 pm). Result near half of the competitors, who had quietly defied intense cold, were not authorized to buckle 50 km and were automatic sent back on the arrival reached finally at the end afterf 40 km. Our friends come from a great distance (of Australia or the USA in particular) were very disappointed. As far as they made a little more warmly and as far as nothing in their physical state justified this premature stop.

Mystery!

It is all the more it's a pity that all the rest was completed: tracks, food stations, signaling system. Bravo to the volunteers who held (by - 22 ° C and without moving a lot) the  food stations. All in all near half of the competitors were not classified.

Some results:
Australia : John MILLER , 3h59 pour 23 km ;
Canada : Robert PALLISER : 4h15 (50 km) ; Jacques WONG : 3.32 (40 km)
Estonia : Peeter TARVIS : 3h19 (50 km)
France : Boris PETROFF : 3h50 (50 km) et Isabelle PETROFF : 4h21 (40 km). Christian VIRY : 4h57 (40 km).
Nederland : Nancy CAVIET : 6h59 (40 km)
Slovakia : Jaroslav SIRO : 4h16 (50 km)
Spain : Francesco MONSONNIS BELL-LLOCH : 3h54 (40 km)

Sunday, February 5th

Always - 22 ° C but a more clear weather and more sunny . About 2000 participants on this event. Many Scandinavians (320 Swedish and 280 Norwegian where classified) . The same magnificent route and no inconvenient stop in the 35th km: each was able to run the distance of 50 km. Much fewer abandonments but many don’t start: skiers who had no courage to double skating and classic by so icy wether:

Some results:
Australia : Doug JACKSON : 4h50
Canada : Robert PALLISER : 4h34; Jacques WONG : 4.42
Estonia : Peeter TARVIS : 3.21
France : Boris PETROFF : 4.15 ; Hervé COURTINE : 1h39 (23 km).
Luxembourg : Yonel MANIORA : 4.03
Russia : Sergey IVANOV : 2.36
Spain : Francesco MONSONNIS BELL-LLOCH :5.04

Note:

WL has announced that all racers that completed the 40km course on Saturday will get a gold stamp in their passport.

 

La Transjurassienne is saved.

February 5, 2012

We have received the information that La Transjurassienne is saved and that it is not a short term solution. As long as the course is not modified then it is a permanent solution. Now we only need the weather Gods to cooperate.........

La Transjurassienne in danger!!

January 17, 2012

Some of you may be aware of the problems the organization of La Transjurassienne encountered last winter; lack of snow was already a source of concern when just a few hours before the onset of the event, they were notified that they were not allowed to hold the events because of Environmental protection concerns.

Indeed, a beautiful bird, the Western Capercaillie more commonly known as the Wood Grouse, nests in the Jura Massif and in all evidence it needs to be protected; all Nordic lovers are in agreement. The day before the start of the 2011 events of La Transjurassienne, two elected public figures showed up with an official warrant forbidding the events to be held, all in the name of the protection of the Wood Grouse. On Saturday afternoon!!!

Heated negotiations lasting all night were necessary to finally work out an agreement (the snow conditions at the time didn’t leave many alternatives). Unfortunately, the same elected ecologists who oddly enough, would like to see the extinction La Transjurassienne are determined to continue the fight. This time, at just 2 months from the onset of La Transjurassienne events, the Prefect (head civil servant of the Region) informed the organization of La Transjurassienne that their official request for authorization to hold the 2012 events was refused by the Commission of Environmental Protection –the document was signed by a single Expert… anonymously! The events, therefore, cannot legally be held!
Unbelievable when you know to what extent Trans’Organisation goes to in the effort to create an eco-friendly event (like most Nordic races for that matter): car-pooling, using recyclable packaging, ordering products with minimum packaging and using local products to limit the transport distance, progressive elimination of plastic-throw away cups… : environmental protection is already a integral way of reasoning and acting” within the organization of La Transjurassienne.

So the race should be cancelled because the passage of skiers over one weekend could perturb the Wood Grouse’s environment? Curiously enough, before the snow falls, hundreds of vehicles drive over the same roads connecting France and Switzerland every day and no one worries about what impact that could have on the Wood Grouse! 
How can you condemn Nordic skiing in the name of the environment… how can you advocate “getting back to nature” and ban ski lifts and snow making machines!

There is still time to react so that France does not disappear from the face of the Worldloppet International long-distance ski circuit. This is a call to all skiers, in France and all over the World, to send your words of encouragement and support and to testify your commitment; your commitment not only to the Environment but to all popular Cross-Country ski events by sending your testimony to: info@transjurassienne.com.

I’d like to make it clear that I am in no way linked to the Organization of La Transjurassienne and I am not at all insensitive to the importance of fighting for environment. Quite the contrary, I have been passionately committed to ecology and have made my profession out of my convictions working as Director of Sustainable Development in several big cities as well as for regional and local French authorities.

I have always fought against climate change, for bio diversity and against a society that constantly ignores the rights of Nature: that is why I am deeply troubled by the actions of our elected ecologists. Even more so because the battle they are fighting is unjust and because they are projecting a negative image of Ecology, an image they don’t need in these times of social and economic crisis.

You have the power to save La Transjurassienne from the transgressions of these pseudo-ecologists: I’m counting on you, persist and sign…

Boris Petroff, WL master and Director of Urban Ecology.

 

Long distance races in the 2011-2012 season

January 2, 2012

Are you looking for more races? Thomas Huber has put together a list of long-distance races all over the world. Wheather you want more races, variety of races or just something new, have a look at this table.

 

The French Masters were preparing the season 2012

by Boris Petroff

December 7, 2011

They were about twenty, got together on Hervé Courtine's initiative, in the small resort  of Besse in  Auvergne, at the beginning of October.

Every year our French regular runners of the of Worldloppet’s races meet to evoke the past races, exchange addresses and useful informations. And simply for the pleasure to be together.

It was a friendly meeting, without competition (except for drinking wines !) and filled with anecdotes, but very sporty also.
Saturday, at the program, the difficult climbing of the resort of Super-Besse by roller skiing, on the ground of the French championships of this year.

In one of the cars which led the participants at the start, we counted 47 titles of WL Master : 22 for Hannes Larsson, 8 for Boris Petroff, 7 for André Viry, 6 for Hervé Courtine and 4 for Isabelle Petroff … 47 masters in 1 car !

A conducted visit of the Museum of the Ski allowed to discover and especially to admire the ingenuity of the skiers before 1900 (the Museum covers the period of the debuts of the ski until 1920) to find the best wood, give them a good shape and make boots hold on these slats.

Hannes Larsson dedicated his fantastic book “cross-country skiing around the world”

On Sunday, the small troop had still well reduced to climb the summit of Sancy, so much the weather report had degraded... It was an excellent way to prepare the winter and to acclimatize to the most hostile temperatures: wind, rain and temperature around 0 ° Celsius!

Undoubtedly, nothing can stop Worldloppet Masters! 

And the future gets ready :  there were in Besse 4 skiers' generations and future skiers.

For more information, contact hcourtine@orange .fr

Photos by Gilles Bertin and Boris Petroff

 

 

More information about Hannes’ book

by Bengt Karlsson

November 29, 2011

Kava-Pech, the publisher of Hannes’ book “Cross-country Skiing Around the World” , has completed the information on prices, shipping costs and payment methods. You will find everything on their website www.kava-pech.cz.
Christmas is approaching. Hannes’ book is an excellent present to family and friends. You can buy three books for the price of two, and for ten books the discount is 37%.
Hannes will be present at Worldloppet races during the ten weeks of the coming Nordic winter and can sign dedications in the copies purchased by the skiers. Hopefully the books will be available at most Worldloppet races. People who have already read the book are enthusiastic and consider it as a splendid monument to XC skiing and in particular Worldloppet. However, you may wish to see the book before buying it, and this is possible next winter. Hannes’ schedule for next season is:

• Jizerská Padesátka
• Dolomitenlauf
• Marcialonga
• Sapporo Ski Marathon
• La Transjurassienne
• Gatineau Loppet
• Finlandia-hiihto
• Bieg Piastów
• Engadin Skimarathon
• Birkebeinerrennet

Our best wishes to all members for a successful season.

 

 

 

Minutes of IAWLS General Assembly held at Howmans Gap Australia  Friday 26th August  2011

October 24, 2011

Attendence:

Colin Addison (chairperson), Craig Alexander, Judy Barnes, Meg Bate, Rod Clutterbuck, Marg Hayes, Susan Luscombe, John Miller, Nhan Nguyen,  Alan Rae, Doris Trueman, Bruce Wharrie, Robert Palliser, Hannes Larsson, Jurgen Wasner, Minoru Matsuyama, Takashima Kiyohiro, Jan Jasiewicz

Proxies received:  40

Meeting commenced  at 1600hrs, due to lack of quorum the meeting was adjourned and then reopened with those in attendance and the proxies held as the quorum.
Moved:  Jan Jasiewicz  Seconded: Hannes Larsson
All present in favour

Item 1: Acceptance of Presidents Report

Moved: Robert Palliser  Seconded: Judy Barnes
All present in favour, one proxy against

Item 2: Acceptance of the treasurers report
Moved: Bruce Wharrie Seconded: Doris Trueman
Passed unanimous

Item 3: Motion to Re-elect listed Executive Committee members (Christophe Joanblanq)
Moved: Robert Palliser  Seconded:  John Miller
Passed unanimous

Item 4: Motion to elect Bjorn Hanson (USA) to the Executive Committee
Moved: Judy Barnes Seconded: Alan Rae

Item 5: Fixing of IAWLS membership fee to zero
Discussion was held  as to whether a fee should be introduced before the above motion was put
Moved: Bruce Wharrie Seconded: Hannes Larsson

New Business:

Item 6: IAWLS should write to World Loppet  urging that should all other needs be met including safety and snow cover, before accepting nomination, the organisers of the Demino Marathon should consider shifting the race to one week later to avoid a clash with the Birkebiennerennet  in order to maximise participation of Worldloppet Skiers,particularly those from: Australia, Japan, North America and all those with complex travel arrangements.  The formal draft of the letter  to be forwarded to the executive committee by the chair.
Moved: Robert Palliser Seconded: Judy Barnes
Passed  unanimously

Item 7: The Executive Committee should create a forum to address the issue of races being booked out before leave and travel arrangements can be organised by those who have complex travel arrangements .
Moved: Jan Jasiewicz, Seconded : Judy Barnes
Passed unanimously

Item 8: Safety issues raised by Jan Jasiewcz, specifically deaths attributable to Hypothermia in the Marcialonga & Vasaloppet and the potential for this in the Bieg Piastow crossover delay.
No formal motion was passed but it was the consensus that the Executive Committee should discuss these issues and consider the papers that Jan has prepared on these issues.

Comments before closure of meeting:
Hannes Larsson a book is being published on his achievements.

John Miller: it should be recognised that IAWLS has had a profound impact on the achievements of all Worldloppet skiers.

Minoru Matsuyama: the Sapporo Ski Marathon is being  moved forward one week due to clashes in the use of the Sapporp Dome, enjoy visiting the Snow Festival after completing your race instead of before.

Meeting  closed at 1702hrs

 

Hannes’ book is now available

October 3, 2011

Our ex-president Hannes Larsson’s book “Cross-Country Skiing Around the World” has appeared. Hereafter is Hannes’ own presentatio:

I was happy to find a Czech publisher, Kava-Pech, whose graphic designer and printing-house made a high quality book. However, the publisher could not take any financial risks. Therefore I paid the totality of the production costs of 2000 books. If all of them are sold, I may recover my investment. But more likely I will lose money. This does not at all worry me. I did not consider this book as a business operation but I wanted to make available to the splendid community of XC skiers my long experience in long distance popular XC ski races.

If not only the technical quality of the book but also its contents are appreciated, I will be happy. I tried to make the texts and the many pictures illustrating it attractive. Aphorisms, anecdotes and tales abound. The first reactions were enthusiastic, for example Worldloppet General Secretary Angelo Corradini’s nice words on Worldloppet’s website, www.worldloppet.com/news.php?id=2303.

This kind of book is not sold in book-shops (except in the Czech Republic where the publisher has a distributor). Individuals can order it from the publisher; however, the sending costs will be added and bank transfers from countries outside the EU may seem expensive. The famous Wordloppet Jubilee book was essentially sold by the race offices. I hope that every Worldloppet race will order a number of books (for big quantities there is a big discount) and sell them in the race offices and at the occasion of the bib distribution. Since 120,000 skiers visit the different Worldloppet races each year, this seems to be the natural channel. Next winter I will be present at most races during all 10 week-ends of the season. There I can write dedications in the books bought by the skiers. My detailed schedule will be shown later.

The website is still being elaborated to include information on shipping costs and best payment methods for different countries. Meanwhile you can send an email to Petr Chrdle, info@kava-pech.cz and ask for a quotation for sending the book to your country.

Kangaroo Hoppet 2011

by Colin Addison

September 19, 2011

Unfortunately 2011 has not been a good snow season, with many weeks of rain alternating with hot sunny weather.  Thus by the time of the Kangaroo Hoppet, many of the usual ski trails were not adequately covered with snow.  The race organisers had to negotiate with the ski lift company to be able to use ski trails around the top of the ski lifts.  Unfortunately some of these trails also had limited snow, so the course was shortened.  The race was started in a saddle near the top of the ski lifts with skiers heading around a loop on the frying pan spur, returning to the start area then another short loop near Mt McKay.  This track was similar to but shorter than the track used in 2006, comprising only 10 km and thus was skied 3 times.  Both loops provide spectacular views of the Australian snowfields.  Competitors for the shorter races only completed the second loop.

The day of the race was warm and sunny, with a cold breeze.  To reduce congestion on the race circuit, the shortest race was started first, with the intermediate distance race commencing after the competitors of the short race had all reached the top of the first hill.  Then the long race commenced, with competitors starting up the steep hill to the frying pan spur.  The track was soft and rapidly became chopped up and challenging to ski, particularly on the downhill sections.  Although it was a shortened course, by the end competitors certainly felt as if they had skied a long race.  Some IAWLS members chose to ski classic technique, which may actually have been an advantage in the conditions.

Congratulations to race organisers for managing to conduct a race with such challenging conditions.  I’m sure all were happy to complete the race and I hope all enjoyed the day.

Results of some IAWLS members are:

Marg Hayes	AUS	2:05:20
Doris Trueman	AUS	2:11:35
Robert Palliser	CAN	2:15:16
Craig Alexander	AUS	2:31:26
Minoru Matsuyama	JPN	2:46:08
Rod Clutterbuck	AUS	2:58:14
Colin Addison	AUS	3:02:12
Jürgen Wasner	GER	3:04:39
Judy Barnes	AUS	3:05:31
Hannes Larsson	FRA	3:05:37
Jay Wiener	USA	3:11:52
Susan Luscombe	AUS	3:54:12
Kiyohiro Takashima	JPN	4:03:29
Jan Jasiewicz	SUI	4:42:11

Birkebeiner

John Miller	AUS	1:16:20
Bruce Wharrie	AUS	0:39:59

 

Early registration for some races

September 12, 2011

Some of the more popular races are selling out their starting slots early. During the last few years registration for Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet and Marcialonga has closed early. This may also happen for more races as Worldloppet races get more popular. Every year we hear from desperate overseas skiers that have made their travel arrangements but can not get a starting bib. Sometimes an organization will make exceptions and add a few skiers but it is also common that the request is denied. It is important that you apply early and that you are familiar with the policies of the different races.

We recently sent an inquiry to Birkebeinerrennet to ask if they would make exceptions for overseas skiers that apply late. Their policy is that they have 1500 start numbers reserved for skiers living outside Norway and that registration starts on October 19 for these skiers. The general registration starts on November 2.

We are happy to publish the policy of other races if they provide us with the information.

 

Invitation to the IAWLS 2011 General Assembly

August 7, 2011

 

Invitation to the IAWLS 2011 General Assembly

16:00 Friday, August 26th, 2011

Howmanns Gap, Falls Creek, Australia

 

 The following documents are attached for your perusal: Agenda, President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, and Proxy with the presentation of Executive Committee Candidates.

The Executive Committee hopes that you will be able to attend. Should this not be possible please complete the PROXY and return it via email to bengt@worldloppetskier.com at least 1 week prior to the assembly, not later than August 19th, 2011

We remind you that as per the statutes, only those whose membership was approved by the Executive Committee at least 2 weeks prior to the Assembly will be able to participate in the meeting and vote on any motions which are presented. If you have colleagues who are interested in IAWLS, they are welcome to attend the meeting as observers.

 

Canadian Birkebeiner

by Nancy L. Caviët

July 24, 2011

The Canadian Birkebeiner is not a member of worldloppet, but it is a great race.
The first time I heard about the Canadian Birkebeiner was during a chat after a worldloppet race. Many good idea arise in the bar. They told me if you have done the American Birkebeiner, the Norwegian Birkebeiner and the Canadian Birkebeiner the long distance than you get a special award. The Haakon Haakonson award. I looked at the website of the Canadian Birkebeiner www.canadianbirkie.com
It was true. I already did the American Birkebeiner and the Norwegian Birkebeiner. So I decided to participate in the Canadian Birkebeiner. The race will be held every year the second Saturday of February. It is a race in classical style. So no skating. It is held at the east site of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. Travel logistic is easy. Edmonton has an international airport.
Just book a plane to Edmonton. At the airport you take a taxi to your hotel or you rent a car. Eventually you need a car in Edmonton. Like in the USA. It is about a 45 minutes’ drive to get in Edmonton city. You can train at the tracks in one of the city parks or you drive to Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. That is the area where the race will be held. It is 45 to 60 minute drive from Edmonton city. For the people who have no car there is at the race day a bus from Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre to the start in Ukrainian cultural Heritage village and a bus back from the finish line in Waskegan staging Area. Start and finish is in Cooking Lake Blackfoot Recreation area. There is a choice of races: 55 k withe backpack, 55 k without backpack, 31 k , 13 k, 4k and 2.5 k.
The 13k, 4k and the 2.5 k start and finish in Waskegan staging Area. The day before the race you pick up your bibs at Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre. The organization is always willing to help. At the day of the race the weather was 'crazy” much to warm. Normally the high temp is minus 5 degree Celsius. Now it was:
(Observations Updated: Saturday February 12 2011,21:00 )

	Temp	Dew Point	Feels like	wind k/h	relative humidity
Sat 00:00	3	-6	-	W9	52
Sat 01:00	2	-7	-	SW7	51
Sat 02:00	1	-7	-	SW9	55
Sat 03:00	0	-8	-	SW4	55
Sat 04:00	1	-8	-	SW9	51
Sat 05:00	1	-8	-2	S11	51
Sat 06:00	1	-8	-	S9	51
Sat 07:00	0	-9	-	S4	51
Sat 08:00	0	-8	-4	SW11	55
Sat 09:00	0	-8	-	S6	55
Sat 10:00	0	-8	-	S9	55
Sat 11:00	2	-8	-1	S11	47
Sat 12:00	4	-7	-	S6	44
Sat 13:00	5	-6	-	S9	45
Sat 14:00	4	-5	-	-	52
Sat 15:00	3	-4	-	-	60
Sat 16:00	5	-5	-	SE11	48
Sat 17:00	3	-4	-	-	60
Sat 18:00	5	-5	-	SW7	52

So the ski needed the sticky soft wax.
The start is at 9:00 am and the finish closes at 17:15
I did the 55 k without backpack. It is a very nice track. No scary hills but rolling. Up and down and up and down. At every kilometre there was a sign. So you always know how far to go. There are enough food station and also there was enough for the slow skiers. The track was well prepared.
At the finish line I got a participation medal and the Haakon Haakonson award.

Following some statistics about the race:

55 k with backpack

• competitors 167
• woman 25
• man 142
• from Canada 165
• from USA 2
• time winner: 3:03

55 k without backpack

• competitors 238
• woman 56
• man 182
• from Canada 233
• from USA 4
• from Netherlands 1
• time winner 2:49

31 k

• competitors 529
• from Canada 529
• woman 216
• man 313
• time winner 1:31
  
  

 

Birkebeinerrennet 2011

by Boris Petroff

May 11, 2011

Vasa or Birkie ? 16000 skiers in Norway, the same number that were in the Vasaloppet ! Which one is the biggest? It doesn’t matter: I don’t understand why people want to decree that a race is bigger than another one because it has more participants.
It’s a good thing that J50, Marcialonga, Tartu, Vasa, Engadin or Birkebeiner have every year more participants. And it’s not necessary to order them by number.

16000 skiers at the Birkebeiner and no bottleneck! That is fantastic. Of course the start is ideal in Rena. But… it’s possible because the race is “only” 54 kilometers long. The first wave leaves at 7.00 and the last à 10.20. If the Birkie were as long the Vasa (90 km) it would be impossible for the slow skiers (those who need twelve hours to do the race) to finish in time (before 8 at night) !

This year, the tracks in the Birkebeiner where very good and easy to wax. The landscape is wild and hard. And hard … is the run with more than 1000 meters to climb with a rucksack and a little front-wind. But there are so many spectators and the atmosphere is particularly nice.

The Birkebeiner is very important for the Norwegians and a lot of firms support employees to do the race. In this race you are never too old!! Except if you are more than hundred years old! 218 older than 70 finished the race and 12 women. The oldest was Tollef Sverdrup : he was 92 and did the race in 8h49m : just one minute after my wife Isabelle ! And Marty Lund-Johanson (she is older than 80) finished in only 7h14m! Fantastic Norwegians.

Birkebeiner could be the best way to finish the Worldloppet season. But is not because ….

• there is no tent in Rena to wait before the start (I waited from 6h30 to 9h00 on the snow…)
• I was waiting half on hour to buy the bus ticket in Lillehammer
• the start fees are really to expensive and don’t include the bus shuttle from finish to start
• I could not found the shuttle between Olympiapark and railway station (where we took the bus in the morning) and nobody inform me
• there is no bag to put our clothes (from start to finish)
• the bags where mixed on each line at the finish place
• and it’s difficult to register : not to late not to early !

As Thomas Huber says : “Birkebeiner and Vasaloppet have the luck to be absolute traditional races, thats the reason for so much request of participants. Both are a hugh businesses, advertising, television and so on are more important then the demand from the skiers. The relation of start fee and what they offer is for many not acceptable.”

And for the next year I suggest to the Birkebeiner organization to change the name of the race : Volkswagenrennet would be more convenient !

Some results:

Marg Hayes	AUS	5h44m
Robert Palliser	CAN	4h24m
Grant McLeod	CAN	5h43m
Corrado Ampezzan	ITA	6h54m
Hannes Larsson	FRA	6h04m
Isabelle Petroff	FRA	6h48m
Boris Petroff	FRA	4h58m
André Viry	FRA	7h16m
Svein Harald Karlson	NOR	4h20m
Steiman Kvaale	NOR	4h31m
Odd Arve Rakstad	NOR	4h06m
Ola Svenneby	NOR	4h20m
Sergeï  Ivanov	RUS	3h13m

Engadin 2011

by Lars Vagle

May 2, 2011

The valley of Engadin hosted once again an easy marathon and good atmosphere. Engadin is a nice place to be a tourist for the days leading up to race day. Lots of skitracks groomed every day and you can test the marathon track anytime. Apart from skiing there are also many other touristic things to do in Engadin so everytime I go there is something new.

The racestart is done with five start times spreading out the twelve thousand skiers and avoiding the big congestions some other big races have in the start. On race day temperatures where milder than normal. At race start I registered only -2C making the waitingtime a lot warmer than last time. It had not been snowing for days but on race morning it fell down making the first 15km soft. Midway in race it got windy but that turned into comfortable wind in the back when we left Pontresina. Around Samedan snowfall had been little and tracks were harder giving some extra speed including wind in the back pushing us. Just before finish area temps were a few plus degrees and softer snow. Ok for skaters. For those doing classic skiing some started off fine with violet wax and ended up with some soft klisterwax in the end if you wanted grip. The best waxing for classic looked like being zero-ski or “rubbed-ski” as they are called.

Organizers did an excellent job as always. Logistics from all parts of valley were fine to start - and later from finish back to hotel. The “Olympic-village” is a nice place to visit before race day and the Worldloppet meeting on Saturday is a good place to meet others that like to travel far to worldloppet races. Next time you come too?

Some results of IAWLS skiers:

Hannes Larsson	FRA	3:15:56
Robert Palliser	CAN	2:40:40
Piotr Szkarlat	POL	2:27:42

 

 

Race evaluation

January 27, 2009

We are introducing a new tool that should facilitate the way you express your comments and opinions about Worldloppet races. It is a comprehensive questionnaire covering all aspects of races that are of our interest. If you want to criticize, praise or just comment any aspect of the race please fill in the appropriate box and submit it. You do not have to fill in all the boxes, just the item that is of your interest. At the end of the season we shall compile all the remarks and send a letter to race organizers passing on your opinions. Your comments will be of great value to us. Look for the Race Evaluation link at the left of the page.

 

Communicate

You can write to the Executive Committee, iawls@worldloppetskier.com . All questions, comments and suggestions are welcome. The Executive Committee can read e-mails in 12 languages: Czech, Danish, English, Esperanto, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish and Swedish. We have also main correspondents in Russia who can help us with the Russian language.

This page was last revised on April 17, 2012