Cross Country Director Update - August 2023
Published Fri 18 Aug 2023
Dear XC Skiers,
The past month has seen plenty of skiing and ski racing action across the resorts. Events including the Australian Championship at Perisher, the Victorian Interschools at Mt Buller, and the Ski de Femme at Falls Creek have seen participation numbers bounce back up towards (even past) pre-covid levels. Despite deteriorating snow conditions, NSW XC Week was a great success at Perisher, culminating with record numbers at the Sundeck Cup.
Race organisers face increasing challenges in the coming weeks but are up to the task. Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club has back-up courses ready for the Australian Championship events at Falls Creek this weekend, and an alternative course has been found for the Kangaroo Hoppet on August 26. NSW Interschools are all set for the XC events to be held at South Perisher (near the base of Leichhardt chair) on Wednesday August 23 (click here for the latest information as it becomes available). Though more snow is likely needed for events in September, there's still plenty of good off-track skiing to be found up high for those keen enough to take skis off every now and then.
This update includes a call-out for skiers over the age of 30 interested to take part in the 2024 World Masters World Cup. New Australian Masters Director Peter Lambert provides a snapshot of what is involved and is keen for more skiers to join him in Finland next February.
Also included in this update is information about a SkiMo Sprint event scheduled at Falls Creek for September 23. Though SkiMo doesn't fall under the Snow Australia cross country committee and has a different international body, several of our elite cross country skiers including triple Olympian Phil Bellingham are giving the sport a bash now that it's a Winter Olympic event.
Get out there and enjoy it while it lasts.
Finn Marsland
Cross Country Skiing Program Director
Snow Australia
In this edition:
- Kangaroo Hoppet Moves Up High
- Record XC Field Battle for National Titles
- XC Masters World Cup Returning to Finland 2024
- 100k Wednesday - Kat and Ella's Enduro Adventure
- Sundeck Cups $90k + Handshake to the AUS XC Team
- SkiMo Sprint Event and Camp in September
