Biking in the Melbourne Area

August 7, 2008

Skiers who come to Kangaroohoppet from other continents often plan a visit of Australia in their program. The Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef and the main cities Sydney and Melbourne are frequent objects of such visits.

If you are making just a short stay in Melbourne, but wish to include some sport in it, here are some hints on biking along the Yarra river. The bike rental is located at Federation Wharf, off Federation Square, a short walk from Frances Bridge and the Flinders Street Station. Rates range from 15 AUD (10 Euros) for one hour to 35 AUD (25 Euros) a day. Mandatory helmets are included.

Cross the bridge and take the walking/jogging/cycling trail on the south bank of the river eastwards. On the first couple of km it is crowded by leisurely pedestrians. You see rowing clubs preparing or using their boats, and you have fine views on the downtown buildings. Later you see luxury homes and gardens. Turn back when you have spent half of the time you planned for the tour.

Another solution is to take the train to a city along the Yarra river and bike from there to Melbourne. For example, if you have half a day, you can decide to travel by train to Heidelberg. At Flinders Street Station you can buy the ticket (you are allowed to take the bike in the train for no extra fee, Australia is a country favorable to sports practitioners!) and go to Platform 1. The destinations of the trains are indicated on the wall. In Heidelberg you have to bike about 1 km to find the Yarra Trail. Maybe you don’t even need to ask: go in the direction where the terrain is lower. The Yarra Trail mostly follows the river bank but in some places there are steps to walk up or down. The trail is sealed on almost the whole length. In the Heidelberg area there are posters with data about painters or farmers who worked there a century ago. From Heidelberg to Melbourne the distance is about 28 km. With the stops for admiring the views and taking pictures it requires maybe 2.5 hours. Midway you have to climb a hill from the top of which you can see the Melbourne skyscrapers. Approaching downtown you see also boats that offer cruises on the river, but that is maybe of interest only to non-athletic people.

 

Your e-mail address

August 3, 2008

Our only means of keeping in contact with you is through your e-mail address. Please make sure that you let us know at bengt@worldloppetskier.com when you have a change of address. Currently we seem to have invalid e-mail addresses for the following members:

Peter	Carter	Australia
Jennifer	Cristofaro	Australia
Marg	Hayes	Australia
Marc	Purcell	Australia
Stefan	Defosses	Canada
Dany	Quirion	Canada
Jan	Kubalik	Czech Republic
Asko	Koskinen	Finland
Einar	Larsson	FInland
Daniel	Montgermont	France
Thomas	Huber	Germany
Heimir	Hansson	Iceland
Eva	Carleberg	Sweden
Eric	Zehtner	Switzerland
Edward	Brown	USA
James	Milner	USA
Deanna	Wilkens	USA

If any of you are reading this or if anybody has the current e-mail address of any of these members please let me know.

Bengt Karlsson

 

The No. 1 Italian, Corrado Ampezzan

July 21 , 2008

Corrado Ampezzan achieved his eighth Worldloppet Master last March at Birkebeinerrennet and became the foremost Italian with a comfortable lead to the second. Corrado was born in 1938 in Valle di Zoldo (between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Venice). As all kids in that area, he practiced alpine skiing including many giant slalom and slalom races, but also some XC races. With the passing of years he gradually discovered that his real passion was XC skiing. The arrival of Marcialonga created the breakthrough; Corrado participated in the second edition in 1972.

At the age of 15 Corrado moved with his family to Germany where his father managed an ice-cream parlor in the small town of Werl near Dortmund in Westphalia. (A curious fact is that practically all inhabitants of Valle di Zoldo are ice-cream makers, in summer they live in some German city and move from November to early March back in their valley where many of them practice XC skiing. That is the case, for example, of Costantino Costantin, the leading Marcialonga Senator, i.e. the first in the classification of those who have skied all Marcialongas since inception, summing up the times). Later Corrado took over the ice-cream parlor and worked in Werl for 45 years until he retired in 1998. Meantime he had moved his winter residence to Cortina where he now lives permanently.

In Werl there was a small ski club. Corrado motivated other members of the club to do XC skiing; 8 of them became WL Masters. Corrado’s first Master was in 1991 at American Birkebeiner. He enjoys this sport, travelling around the world and feels that it keeps him in good health. A particularly happy event occurred last winter when he received in Mora the medal for his 10th Vasaloppet. At the finish he was told to go to the race office where he got the souvenir medal and a red Mora horse with the congratulations of the organizers. “For ten minutes I felt like a champion”, he said.

Of course Corrado is a Global Worldloppet Skier; he was registered as the 11th skier in the world having accomplished the feat of skiing all 14 Worldloppet events.

To keep in shape during the summer season, Corrado mainly practices bicycling. The mountains around Cortina offer an interesting terrain for that. Sometimes he also makes a “via ferrata” or a climb with his friends. In 2000 he joined Berlin to Rome by bicycle in 13 days, with a group of friends. In 2001, the year when the Euro started, they bicycled from Brussels to Venice in 12 days.

During the 2008 winter Corrado participated in 11 Worldloppet races and totaled more than 600 km. On bicycle he pedals around 1200 km per year.

 

Worldloppet history

July 9, 2008

We are sure that you bought the book 30 years of skiing around the world,  issued last year at the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Worldloppet. Probably you found that it was captivating reading.

The editors Epp Paal and Angelo Corradini made a remarkable job by preparing the book within a tight time schedule. Epp collected the contributions from several competent authors involved in Worldloppet at various stages. Since many skiers are interested in historic aspects, we will point out here to two facts. The first is a mistake and the second a complementary piece of information.

1. Worldloppet  Master No. 0.

The book states on page 22 that Carol Duffy (USA) was the first registered WL Master. This is correct. But then it explains that it came out that Heinrich Popp (GER) had finished the first Master before her and WL attributed Master No. 0 to him. This is not true, as you can see from the list of WL Masters on www.worldloppet.com/masters.php?tyyp=numbers. Master No. 0 is Gunnar Sarring (SWE), Master No. 1 Carol Duffy and No. 2 Heinrich Popp.

Gunnar is also Master No. 1000 and 2000. He was born in 1941 in Stockholm and lives in Rättvik, not far from Mora. His job was in the environment/healthcare area until his retirement in 1998. Gunnar made his first Vasaloppet in 1964; at that time the minimum age was 23. His best result in Vasaloppet was 120, in 1967. Gunnar has been a Vasaloppet Veteran for many years; until now he has skied 38 Vasaloppets or Öppet Spårs. Worldloppet constituted for Gunnar a second ski career; his Master No. 0 was achieved in 1980. Gunnar is still a very active WL skier and has several new Masters in preparation. It seems that with the actual high rate of Master titles, No. 3000 will be reached in 2010. In view of that, Gunnar has decided to keep one completed WL passport in reserve, waiting for the attribution of a Master number. We all hope that he will get the No. 3000, 30 years after his Master No. 0.

2. Steve Fossett

Page 22 mentions that one of the most interesting Worldloppet Masters in year 1 was Steve Fossett, a rich American adventurer who established an impressive set of world records in flying, ballooning and sailing. Our readers will remember that he almost lost his life in crashes of balloons in his attempts to fly around the world non-stop. On September 3, 2007, just at the time when the Jubilee book went in press, Fossett disappeared when flying over the desert of Nevada. In spite of intensive research he was not found and was declared dead on February 15, 2008.

 

IAWLS Members and Languages

June 27, 2008

Our association has now 280 individual members from 26 countries. The following table shows the numbers of members from each country.

USA	65	NOR	9	POL	3
AUS	30	RUS	8	AUT	2
FRA	30	SUI	5	EST	2
FIN	24	CZE	4	LUX	2
SWE	21	JPN	4	DEN	1
CAN	16	SPA	4	HUN	1
ITA	14	BEL	3	IRL	1
GER	13	ICE	3	SLO	1
GBR	11	NED	3

The first and striking observation is the huge number of members from USA, compared to the traditional XC countries of Finland, Sweden and Norway. One could possibly expect numbers proportional to the number of multiple Worldloppet Masters (we will soon publish the updated statistics of “The Most Assiduous WL Nations”) but the above table is totally biased with respect to that criterion.

The explanation is easily found when we observe that also Australia, Canada and Great Britain have large numbers of members compared to the big XC countries in Europe. We have chosen English as the language used on our web site. This is discriminatory towards the countries that don’t have English as the national language. Native English speakers usually don’t realize how difficult it is for people with a different language to understand English and even worse, to send a message in English. Take an example: to become a member of IAWLS you have to click on Membership on our web site and go to the sign up procedure. What is sign up? We are accustomed to sign letters on the bottom, but what on the earth does it mean to do it up?   In other words, already the sign up procedure is a dilemma and may be repulsive.

If we had a multilingual website, we could expect to have at least 100 members from each of the Nordic countries, and many more members from France, Germany and Italy than from Australia. We should have all texts in at least the following languages in addition to English: Finnish, French, German, Italian and Swedish. But we hope our members will understand that that would be a huge effort, beyond the capabilities of the Committee at this time.

Don’t be afraid of writing to us in your personal English. We also remind you that the Committee is able to read messages in 11 languages.

 

Bieg Piastόw enters Worldloppet

June 16, 2008

At the Worldloppet Annual General Meeting in Mora on June 13, 2008, the Polish race Bieg Piastόw was accepted as a new member in Worldloppet. This old race is well known amongst long distance skiers, in fact Bieg Piastόw has been a member of Euroloppet for many years. The race takes place in Jakuszyce near the small city of Szklarska Poręba in south-western Poland near the Czech border on the first week-end in March. On Saturday skiers can choose between a 50 km classic race valid for the Gold Master and a 26 km classic race valid for the Silver Master. On Sunday takes place a 30 km FT race valid for the Silver Master.

You will see from now on Bieg Piastόw’s logo on Worldloppet letter headings and diplomas. Of course, a new page for Bieg Piastόw with Poland’s flag will be inserted in Worldloppet passports.

The previous extension of Worldloppet occurred in 2000 when Jizerská Padesátka became member. Now there are 15 races in Worldloppet. More exactly, 15 venues and race organizers. The number of Gold races in the Worldloppet calendar reaches a total of 24. The number of Silver races reaches 22, not counting two races reserved for ladies.

What about the Global Worldloppet Skier? When this new prestigious recognition for those who have skied all Worldloppet events was adopted in 2007, the requirement was 14 races. From now on, beginning with the 2008-2009 season, it will be 15 races. Those who have participated in an event at all 14 “old” venues before Kangaroohoppet 2008 are entitled to the GWLS. If you are eligible but haven’t yet sent in your application to the Worldloppet General Secretariat (race names, dates, times and placements in the 14 races), do it now. Those who have not completed the tour before the beginning of the 2008-2009 season must add Bieg Piastόw to the list of the lacking races.

In a near future the IAWLS Committee will insert practical information on Bieg Piastόw in the chapter Advice on our web site www.worldloppetskier.com.

Angelo Corradini	Hannes Larsson
Worldloppet Secretary	President of IAWLS

Webmaster's note:

Bieg Piastόw has traditionally been held on the first Saturday of March. If this schedule is kept then it will be held on the same week-end as Vasaloppet six years out of seven and the same week-end as Engadin one year out of seven. In 2009 it will be held on Saturday March 7 which is the day before the Engadin Skimarathon. In 2010 they will add a free technique main race on the Sunday and the races will be held the same week-end as Vasaloppet. Of course, we don't know if they will change this somewhat confusing schedule in the future. This race and Birkebeinerrennet are the only races basing their schedule on a certain Saturday in the month while all the other races are using Sundays. We hope to see you in Poland this winter!

 

Sophie’s first Master

June 9, 2008

During the endless summer season we are planning to publish information on the achievements of our members. This is the first in the series.

Sophie Courtine-Demoiset (FRA) obtained her first Worldloppet Master at the last race of the 2007-2008 season, Birkebeinerrennet. We must tell that she is the daughter of Hervé Courtine, four-fold WL Master and president of the Association of French WL Masters. During five teenage years Sophie practiced biathlon at a high level and shifted to long distance races when she decided to give priority to her studies. She finished her studies in Paris where she graduated as a "podologue-chiropodist". Then she installed her practice in Saint Gervais in Savoy. There she married David (who is just one race short of his first WL Master) and gave birth to their son Maxime.

Sophie’s WL career started at Engadin Ski Marathon at the age of 18. The two first years she was seeded in the elite group, before her studies slowed her down.

Sophie skied the 2008 Birkebeinerrennet three months after the birth of Maxime. This story demonstrates two facts:

1. It is possible to combine studies, work, family life and maternity with sport.
2. There is a new generation of XC skiers! Maxime is no doubt a future WL Master. For our readers not familiar with French cuisine: tartiflette is an oven-baked energetic dish based on potatoes, bacon, onions and cheese, popular especially in winter time in mountain areas.

The World (of XC Skiers) is Small

June 2, 2008

Story from the January 2008 Dolomitenlauf contributed by David Spencer.

My wife and I had just finished racing the 25 and 50 k skate races in Obertilliach on Sunday and were sitting on the bus headed back into Lienz so we could begin the 8 hour drive back to Budapest where we live.   An older couple were in the seat directly behind us.  After a few minutes the woman spoke and asked in Norwegian accented English very politely:

   -Where are you from?  

   -The United States, we answered.

   -Oh yes, where in America?

   -Well, from Minnesota.

   -Yes Minnesota, where in Minnesota?  

At this point I should have known; Minnesota, Norwegians, its all one big connected family. We tell her: Duluth.

   -Oh then, you must know Korrki.  

At first I do not understand her as her accent pronounces the name with rolling R's.  

   -Excuse me ?, thinking she was talking about a person she knew.

   - Korrki, the ski trail, you must know Korrki.  

I laughed with delight: Korrki is the best classic ski trail in Minnesota, a beautiful, challenging 10k loop through the trees in Northern Minnesota, and known by the most committed skiers.  

   -Yes, I know Korrki , I was just skiing there two weeks ago when home for Christmas.  

   -Oh then, you know Mark and Liz?  

I laugh again; Mark Helmer is the guy who lives on the trail, takes care of it and manages what is ski club and local icon.  He is also a good friend.  

   -Yes, I was just skiing and then drinking whiskey with Mark two weeks ago, and his wife    Liz and their two daughters were there as well.  

The woman smiles and says;

   -Well, my name is Maj-Lis, and I am Mark's daughter's God-mother. We used to ski together back in Norway, they are our dearest friends. 

Once we finished the bus trip in Lienz, before we began our trip back to Budapest, there were hugs all around.  When I wrote Mark, my friend back in America, his response was typical:       

 -Not surprised, skiers find each other everywhere, they just know how to connect.
And so it is. It is good to be part of the global community of ski racers, people who love to be alive out on ski trails are good people.  They know how to connect.

David Spencer
Budapest, Hungary
(also; Duluth, Minnesota)

 

Graham Welsh: we have lost a friend

May 18, 2008

We received the sad news that our friend Graham Welsh passed away last March. Read more....

 

Birkebeinerrennet 2008

April 25, 2008

This year, as several times in the recent years, temperature a few days before Birkebeiner Rennet was again close to 0C and waxing was for sure going to be an issue again. But for 2008 BR, Swix , the local wax manufacturer, decided not to repeat errors and to avoid situations like for example in BR 2004 … That year with my waxless skis I remember to have passed hundreds of infortunate skiers who blindly followed Swix advice, and who were stuck a few kilometrs later waiting in waiting lines for rewaxing... Never repeat such wrong advice ! So this year official wax advice was not looking like : put this for base grip then that for kick wax. That would have been too easy ! No in order to maximize probability of being right, the waxing company gave to the poor skiers following advice : put this as a base and this for kick wax, or option 2 put (completely different products) that, or option 3 (again different products) put those. In the end skiers were tempted to buy all products (just to take them to the race if their choice proved unfortunate) and Swix multiplied by 3 its chance to be right. If this seemed winning strategy for Swix, it had just the opposite results on many skiers who just decided to put grip tape (from Swix competitor, and worked quite well) or simple use waxless skis !!

Apart from that rather funny waxing issue, all the rest of the race was as usual perfectly organized, weather was very nice and tracks in much better shape than what we could have had if snow was really around 0. We also avoided last year's strong winds which forced organization to interrupt the race at the last minute. Lots of snow were present everywhere and Norwegian crowd was there, sometimes looking at the skiers from the very top of their wooden cabin buried in the snow (see picture). At the first food station there was even rock band playing to encourage the skiers! So despite lots of philosophical debates between kickwax, grip tape or waxless, this race was really a good way to conclude the 2008 season. Now it is time to complete our passports, for some of us get a new master and start spring training before next snow .. or before Kangaroo Hoppet ! See you soon !!

more information and stories....

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 August 7, 2008