Falls Creek AUS Open Postponed

Snow Australia and the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club (BNSC) have made the difficult decision to postpone the Australian Open Championship event at Falls Creek, originally scheduled for this coming July 31 / August 1 weekend. The possibility to run this event later in the season is being investigated.

Earlier this week it appeared that both the Australian Open Championship event and the previously postponed Victorian Junior Championship might be able to proceed, after the Victorian government lifed state-wide lockdown restrictions.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 testing requirements to enter the resort (a negative test result within 72 hours of entry) were prohibitive to meet for race officials to be able to run the events, particularly as the local Covid-19 testing centres were overloaded. Restrictions around accommodation also made the situation challenging for prospective competitors.

Future event dates will be communicated to the cross-country skiing community as soon as they are confirmed.

Snow Australia continues to monitor government public health directives. Where possible, and subject to COVID-safe plans, Snow Australia supports the hosting of events for those athletes that are able to attend. Snow Australia recognises that the restriction on movements may preclude some athletes from participating in certain events and potentially distort the intended participant classification. This is balanced against the benefit to those athletes that can attend and the desire to provide competition opportunities following the cancellation of all events last season. Snow Australia will ensure that athletes who are unable to compete this domestic season due to restrictions will not be adversely affected in terms of team selection and program opportunities going forward. Awards may be varied at the discretion of the Board of Snow Australia.