Kangaroo Hoppet 2008

September 8, 2008

The 2008/2009 WL ski season had a great start on August 30 th at the 18th Kangaroo Hoppet. There was excellent snow cover on all three loops of the full Hoppet course. The temperature at the start was 2C under sunny skies, rising to about 5C by noon. The trails were well prepared but a bit soft as a result of the warm temperature. Skiers faced strong headwinds across Heathy Spur and on the return from Wallace’s Hut through Langford Gap. There was a course modification beginning just after the Paralyzer climb. The track went further to the right, around a hilltop, providing great views of Mount Kosciusko, then did not dip as far before reaching the long “S” climb.

313 skiers completed the 42k Hoppet, 295 the 21k Australian Birkebeiner and 360 the 7k Joey Hoppet. Ben Sim of Australia was the Hoppet winner in 1:42:16, Evelyn Dong of the United States was the first woman in 2:00:35

Results of some IAWLS members:

Hoppet:

Birkebeiner:

The Hoppet organisation hosted an excellent WL skiers reception at Howman’s Gap on Friday evening. It was well attended by both Australian and International participants.

This page was last revised on February 20, 2009