News about the Royal Couple
September 17, 2008
Last year we reported the story of Isabelle and Boris Petroff. Because they were the couple with the most Worldloppet Masters, they indisputably merited the title Royal Couple. They continued their assiduous skiing career during the 2008 winter. Isabelle participated in 4 WL races totaling about 200 km; Boris made 9 WL races for a total of 550 km. The winter had an unhappy start for Boris who had his ankle plastered mid- december following a bone rupture in Paris, and was somewhat handicapped in the first races of the season.
Their program included:
- Jizerská Padesátka,
- Koenig-Ludwig- Lauf (both days for Boris),
- La Transjurassienne (both days for Boris),
- Finlandia Hiihto (both days for Boris),
- Vasaloppet (Isabelle abandoned; that was predictable because she is unable to ski a classical race in the absence of tracks),
- Birkebeinerrennet (Isabelle had professional obligations and could not come).
Thus, the season brought 4 stamps in Isabelle’s third passport and 9 stamps for Boris, scattered between his passports No. 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Again Isabelle and Boris appreciated meeting many friends from different countries. At Koenig-Ludwig- Lauf and Transju they rendezvoused with Australian friends.
Their best memories?
- The best reception of WL at Jizerská Padesátka’s pasta party in Bedřichov,
- The archipelago preceding the arrival by ferryboat to Stockholm, coming from Helsinki,
- Birkebeinerrennet, again difficult to wax, getting dubious help from the official waxing service, but blessed by a superb weather which made the scenery breathtaking.
Boris stated that he was particularly happy to ski three races (the second day in those places in which he participated on two days) side by side with Isabelle, his Queen. Isabelle and Boris are able to enjoy all good sides of life: Tartu Maraton was also in their program, but since it was cancelled, they transformed the stay in Estonia into an interesting visit of the southern part of the country, plus Tartu and Tallinn.
This page was last revised on January 2, 2009