Last month, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation sprang into registrants’ inboxes with a summer announcement: Ben Popp, Wisconsin native and ABSF Executive Director since 2013, had been elected President of the Worldloppet International Ski Federation. Replacing Finland’s Juho Viljamaa, Popp will serve a four year term, effective immediately.

He already has the regalia to prove it. The Federation’s gavel, a relic of the Tony Wise Era, has taken a circuitous path through Central and Northern Europe—but Popp’s election returns that artifact, and the Presidency, to the site of the Worldloppet’s establishment some five decades ago. “It’s literally inscribed: ‘Telemark Lodge, Wisconsin USA, Feb. 23 1978,’” Popp tells me.

To any skier who has made the trek from Cable to Hayward in the last eleven years, Popp cuts a familiar figure. Energetic, upbeat, and faster-paced than a sprint finish, he’s become a fixture of all things Birkebeiner—churning out trail-grooming update videos, fundraising initiatives, and ambitious projects ranging from a revitalization of the once-derelict Telemark Property to the Team Birkie, the Midwest’s professional racing team. Moreover, he’s brought the event safe to shore through three great calamities: the Canceled Birkie (politely remembered as “BirkieFest”; 2017), the Covid Birkie (2021), and the Manmade Miracle Birkie (2024).

It therefore comes as no surprise that Popp has assumed the Worldloppet Presidency with characteristic vigor—and lofty goals. FasterSkier spoke with Popp to discuss what they are, and how he plans to achieve them.

“What skiers needed back in 1978 is very different from what we need right now.”

Despite “representing popular skiing around the world,” the Worldloppet is a small operation, with two full-time employees headquartered in Tartu, Estonia. As Popp describes it, their efforts to coordinate ten events across five continents are “Herculean.” Countries tend to concentrate on their own ski federations, and on their respective flagship races. “It’s hard for them to focus” on the collaborative, international mission of the Worldloppet.

That’s where Popp sees himself differing from presidents past. When it comes to filling the Worldloppet’s two primary goals—providing support for member nations as they host “pre-eminent events,” and providing support for the more than 130,000 skiers who tackle Worldloppet races each year—the organization has gotten “really good at doing the same things over the years, and doing them really well,” like the Worldloppet Passport.

But Popp recognizes that “what skiers needed back in 1978 is very different from what we need right now.” It seems he views the Worldloppet of the past as catering to those already enamored with the sport and its signature marathons. The Worldloppet of the future can do more to expand the range and reach of popular skiing—even if that requires a course correction. “I know change can be really hard,” Popp says, “But believe it or not, I think the Worldloppet and global, popular skiing can be even bigger than FIS. Instead of focusing on getting a young skier from the U.S. to travel to Japan, we should be asking, ‘How can Japan engage its own young skiers?’”

Popp’s electors seem to agree: In fact, the Scandinavian delegations nominated Popp because of the athletic inroads he’s paved with the ABSF. “The Scandinavians know that the United States is seeing skiing grow in leaps and bounds, from the success of Jessie Diggins to almost 15,000 skiers at the Birkie. They know something’s going on here. They asked me, ‘Can you take it to the world?’”

An “absolute recipe for growth.”

What is Popp’s plan for growing cross-country skiing—for engaging new skiers at Worldloppet events?

In his own words, it’s a page from the NFL’s playbook: To get incoming athletes excited, “We need to marry skiing’s role models to everyday skiers. This is what the NFL does; it’s how they sell out stadiums every Sunday”—connecting the sport’s elite to their fans. The stars of the FIS World Cup are, currently, “just not part of what we think of as popular skiing.” Popp wants to change that—and wants the Worldloppet to take the lead “plugging in” Crystal Globe-chasers to the marathoning masses. “We can negotiate and create connections. We can get these role models to our races.”

He cites the Birkie’s recent collaboration with Jessie Diggins and Gus Schumacher (its 2024 champions) as proof of concept. The median age of a Birkie skier has fallen from 47 to 43.7, and young athletes are increasingly participating in ABSF events for a chance to meet these avatars of America’s Nordic ambitions. At this year’s Birkie Bash, an annual pre-race fundraising dinner, “half the room was kids, 18 or younger—they were there to see Jessie and Gus!” With the encouragement of the Worldloppet, the same could be true of New Zealand’s Merino Muster or Australia’s Kangaroo Hoppet (which Diggins has won multiple times): Popp sees more summer-training elites competing in these Southern Hemisphere marathons as a clear way to build enthusiasm in host nations.

Popp has his eyes on names from beyond the U.S. Ski Team as well. “I was talking with Haakon Klæbo last week, discussing how we can bring [Johannes Høsflot] Klæbo more into popular skiing.” Having charmed crowds of adoring young fans from Park City to Minneapolis, it should come as no surprise that the Norwegian phenom “wants to be engaged. He wants to be a role model and to bring more people into the sport.”

This involvement could go beyond racing Worldloppet events when the World Cup schedule permits, to incorporating these events into the World Cup itself. It’s happened twice before (La Transjurassienne in 2000 and the Birkebeinerrennet in 2002). Popp’s American Birkebeiner floated a bid for the 2024 World Cup schedule immediately after Minneapolis, with Main Street sprints on Wednesday and the Birkie itself on Saturday. A price tag pushing $3 million thwarted that effort, but Popp sees elites and popular skiers, tackling the same races, as the key to the longevity and financial viability of both worlds. “It’s a proven model. Look at the New York Marathon, the Boston Marathon. Who doesn’t want to run those—they’re iconic races, and you’re on the same course, the same starting line, as the best athletes in the sport. There will be concessions on both sides, and it will take some creativity,” but “if we can marry the popular consumers of skiing with the elite, it’s an absolute recipe for growth.”

Sustainability and support from “the hub of the wheel.”

Popp’s new direction for the Worldloppet goes beyond his hopes of exciting wider audiences. He sees the organization facilitating resource and knowledge-sharing between world-class events that have, thus far, largely remained “in our own unique silos. We’ve all learned through trial and error. But we haven’t necessarily come together as a group.” A unified timing and registration system, for example, has seemed like a phantasmic “pipe dream on paper,” but each race is “spending an enormous amount of money on data collection, registration, and data storage.” In addition to reducing costs, the data could be leveraged to secure event sponsors. While the Worldloppet cannot be “the whole wheel,” it can be “the hub of the wheel”—a central source of direction, activity, and coordination around which individual races organize, and around which skiers structure broader cultural experiences.

Snowmaking is another prime example. This year’s “Miracle Birkie” took place on 10k of man-made snow; the 2024 China Vasaloppet was on 25k, hand-moved to the course. Fed by the guns of eight local alpine resorts and maneuvered into place by the Italian National Guard, the Marcialonga has been almost entirely on man-made snow for the last decade. Other events may not have that infrastructure—but they’ve developed their own strategies for coping with low snow that the Worldloppet can help systematize. Trails can be manicured in the off-season to maximize their ski-ability, even with minimal coverage; Norway and Switzerland have perfected long-term snow-storage with cement basins, drains, and coverings. Each nation’s Worldloppet race “wants to put on an amazing experience. That means we have to be the best at what we do,” even in a warming climate.

It’s with respect to climate that Popp also sees a distinct role for the Worldloppet. This is despite his recognition that there’s pronounced tension between the organization’s globetrotting ethos and any desire for more sustainable practices. Reusable gear bags—of which the ABSF has sold over 20,000 since 2017—could be one avenue for promoting conservation. So could carbon offsets, or broader opportunities for group travel to race events, including through partnerships with independent, curated trip coordinators. But the goal, Popp says, is to transform every Worldloppet skier into “an advocate, and to get them to get others to be advocates” for “green futures.” Telling the story of the reusable bag, or of a mass-transit journey to the start line, can create a network of climate-conscious athletes. While there’s “a long tail on that horse, we have to start somewhere,” Popp says. “We can’t get paralyzed with ‘what-ifs.’ We’ll get nowhere.”

Pedaling ahead.

Reflecting on his 11 years at the head of the American Birkebeiner, Popp is approaching his four-year presidency with an ambitious vision for the Worldloppet. “The Birkie has an amazing, storied history, and it’s been super successful.” But directing one of skiing’s signature marathons—let alone an international federation of such events—is “like riding a bicycle. If you’re not pedaling forward, you’re going to fall over. The challenge is to remain relevant.” What the Worldloppet “has been doing is awesome, and we have a lot of people that love skiing,” but the organization needs to “take a critical look and better evaluate whether we are doing the things that allow us to grow.” This will require closer dialogue with athletes, engagement with elite skiers, and coordination of FIS’ Popular Skiing Subcommittee, where Worldloppet representatives occupy a “huge majority” of the 20 seats. Popp expects a “day-to-day challenge.” But, “I think it’s worth the time and effort because we can have a real impact on global skiing.”

Ben Popp will continue to serve as Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. FasterSkier thanks Popp for taking the time to speak with us about his new role at the Worldloppet International Ski Federation.

It hasn’t always been the same race, but it has always been the American Birkebeiner. Courses have changed, directions have changed, ski techniques have changed, conditions have changed, field sizes have changed, reputations have changed. Thin snow conditions across the American Midwest even necessitated that his year’s race was not even contested on the Telemark trail between Cable and Hayward, but over five laps of a ten kilometer loop painstakingly preserved just for this event. Everything was quite different this year—one of the lowest snow-accumulation years in Wisconsin’s history—but the result may become the most memorable ever . . .

Hot on the heels of their podium performances at the World Cup events in Minneapolis, Jessie Diggins and Gus Schumacher raced to victory across the 50 kilometers of the 50th American Birkebeiner, authoring a suitable conclusion to the story of Team USA’s North American tour, and punctuating the success of America’s most loved, most famous, and most traditional cross-country ski race.

Gus Schumacher confirmed the fine form—and the world-beating potential—that he unveiled during his historic victory last week in the World Cup 10 k Freestyle at the Stifel Loppet Cup in Minneapolis. Evidently, his form is still holding as he handled the best efforts of a national-class field in this much longer 50 kilometer race. Sharing the American Birkebeiner podium with Schumacher were Sam Hendry (CAN/Univ. Utah) and David Norris (USA).

Way back in 2008, a teenage Jessie Diggins won the 23 kilometer Korteloppet. It’s likely that, at that time, a dream may have been born in the imagination of this talented young American skier: one day, she could stand atop the elite podium at the American Birkebeiner. 2024 will be remembered as the season when she realized that dream, standing on that podium with Flora Dolci (ITA) in second, and Alayna Sonnesyn (USA) third. While this podium will not be the most famous, the most coveted, or the most lauded of those in Diggins’ career, today’s podium certainly represented the realization of a long-cherished dream. Jessie Diggins came home to the American Midwest, and was crowned the champion she may always have imagined she could be. She’ll remember this podium for a long long time . . . and fans of the American Birkebeiner will always remember her standing atop it.

2024 American Birkebeiner RESULTS

Most Birkie skiers are familiar with the legendary story of the original Norwegian Birkebeiners and how that inspired the famous cross country ski race in Norway, from Rena to Lillehammer; which in turn inspired the American Birkebeiner from Cable to Hayward.

But what is the Norwegian Birkebeiner like today? I skied my first American and Norwegian Birkies last year and took away many impressions.

“Wait, what?!” you ask. “Garrott, you lived in Hayward for 5 years and have never skied the Birkie?” Well, okay. I skied the Birkie once in 2007, but it finished at OO that year. The Birkie’s timing in late February always overlapped with World Cups or Olympic Games. After retiring in 2011, I moved away from Wisconsin. Last year was my first year back, as my company, Lumi Experiences, had a booth at the Expo, sharing stories from the Worldloppet events where we run cross country ski vacations.

On Birkie Saturday, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ski from Cable to Hayward and actually finish on Main Street. Finally, I checked off one of my bucket-list items as a ski racer.

Three weeks later, I found myself standing in Rena, Norway getting ready to classic ski 54 km from Rena to Lillehammer, carrying an 8 pound backpack representing baby prince.

Håkon Håkonsson. The three-week gap between the two events was enough to recover from one and carry good fitness into the next.

Our group was staying in Lillehammer, so it was an early morning bus ride to get to the start in Rena. The race course takes you on a direct path over the mountains, but the roads have to go around the mountains. In order to arrive at the start by 8:00 am, the bus left Lillehammer at 5:30 am. I was expecting a very dark start to the morning, but when I opened the blackout curtains and daylight came in, I thought I had slept through my alarm. This should not have surprised me, as we were just two days from the Spring Equinox and only 5° south of the Arctic Circle.

The start of the Birken is basically in a farm field with temporary warming tents without any permanent infrastructure. The colloquial name for the Birkebeinerrennet was one of the biggest surprises for me. I’ve grown up in the US calling it the Norwegian Birkie, but in Norway, it is unequivocally referred to as the “Birken.” This terminology makes it easy to differentiate the American “Birkie” from the Norwegian “Birken.”

The start itself was one of the most civilized starts I have ever experienced. The ~ 10,000 starters are split into 14 waves. As a wave 1 Birkie skier, my Birkie time was good enough to be seeded in the 4th wave at the Birken – a wave placement which seemed surprisingly accurate, given the pace of the skiers around me. Ample tracks and a gradual uphill start kept everyone spread out without any accidents. It seemed like everyone understood they had 54 km to ski and no one needed to win the first kilometer.

In fact, as early as one kilometer into the race, skiers were already stopping to work on their kick wax. Conditions were surprisingly tricky, as the course starts only 1000 feet above sea level, then climbs to about 3000 feet of elevation. The weather warms throughout the day and a skier may go through three or four different wax conditions.

I waxed with a thin layer of klister, covered with hardwax. This combination is tricky because you have to keep your skis moving to prevent icing in the powder at higher elevations, but it provided great kick for the first 20 km of climbing up to the plateau in Raudfjelllet. It was also durable enough to last for my entire 54 km race. I just stopped once to switch skis half-way through the race in Kvarstad. This meant the wax that had worn off the inside edges of my skis was now on the outside edges, giving me better glide and kick for the second half of the race.

The spectators really help make a ski race fun for participants. The Marcialonga in Italy and the Engadin in Switzerland both go through many villages, so it’s easy for people to cheer from their balcony. The Birkie and Birken courses are much more rural, so they’re harder for spectators to access. However, the spectators that make it out onto the course are there to have fun and bring a lot of enthusiasm for the racers. There were so many spectators at the Birkie this year that I thought I was already at OO when in fact, I was only at Boedecker Rd. By the time I was actually at OO, skiing over the Key Log Bridge, I was in awe at all of the new infrastructure and enthusiastic spectators. My favorite spectators, however, are the snowmobilers. They are often in the harder to reach corners of the course and seem to be there more to cheer on the agony of defeat than the thrill of victory.

The Birken goes through a protected region, high on the plateau, so there are no snowmobilers. Somehow, though, spectators figure out how to bring couches to the trailside, build huge bonfires and offer homemade aquavit or Jagermeister to skiers passing by.

Speaking of aid stations: each Worldloppet event seems to have its own unique treats, like Comte cheese in France, dark chocolate in Switzerland or blueberry soup in Sweden. In Norway, it’s lefse. Seriously. The rolled lefse dough filled with cinnamon and sugar looked a little dry to me, but I was hungry at the first aid station and took a bite. It turned out to be one of the best tasting race foods I have ever eaten. After that, I made sure to take a buttery lefse at each aid station. Yum!

Unlike the Birkie, which is mostly wooded from start to finish with lots of rolling trails, the Birken is mostly on a high open plateau with long, sustained climbs and long, gradual descents. I often found myself looking out over the wide expanses and admiring the views throughout the race.

We were fortunate to have ideal weather conditions for this year’s Birken, save for a headwind somewhat reminiscent of crossing Lake Hayward at the Birkie this year. There are years, however, where the weather on the plateau can be much less ideal. Besides the symbolism of the backpack, there is also the practical consideration that you can carry warm, dry clothes with you. Not only does the backpack need to weigh 8 pounds, it also needs to store a windproof jacket, pants, long underwear, hat, gloves and balaclava.

One of the best parts of the Birken is the final 15 km from Sjusjøen to Lillehammer. Rather than big climbs and a lake leading to the finish, the last 15 km of the Birken is a long, gradual downhill. Before the race, I learned that a special award is given to finishers who cross the line within 25% of their age group winner’s time. I’m not sure if the Birkie still has a 25% Club award, but the tradition lives on in Norway. I train far less than I did as a racer, but still have a competitive spirit. Achieving the 25% Club award in the Birken is not easy. When I realized I may still be in the running at the last time check, I tried to make up as much time as I could on the downhill to Lillehammer, relying more on my ski skills than on my fitness.

The Birken finishes at the Birkebeiner Stadium, which hosted the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games and still has one of the most challenging trail networks on the World Cup circuit. 

Fortunately, the Birken finish does not take racers on any of the World Cup course. Instead, skiers cruise through the flat stadium and into the finish. After a quick backpack check, skiers are awarded their Birken medal and Worldloppet passport stamp, recognizing their achievement.

For me, one of my favorite aspects of completing a big event like the Birken is sharing the experience with friends. After the race, everyone gathered to share stories about their journey from Rena to Lillehammer and to cheer on the new friends they had made during the week. Skål!

If you’d like to ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner, check out the Lumi Experiences Norway Birken Trip and receive the early booking discount of $300 per person when you secure your spot before March 31. We would love to have you along. Reach out to see the itinerary!

See you on the trail soon,
Garrott Kuzzy

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

Lumi Experiences guest Ron Sawdey from Salt Lake City, Utah took time to reflect on his 2023 trip to the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet events in Italy, Germany and Austria. Ron’s reflections share some insider insights for both the uninitiated and Worldloppet Masters alike. Read on to learn more about the trip.

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For the uninitiated, you may have heard the words, “World Loppet”, and have had some vague notion that it has something to do with cross-country skiing.  And you would be right.

The Worldloppet is a worldwide series of citizen ski marathons, though the majority of these races take place in Europe.  Yes, there are elite, professional teams that compete in these races, but the vast majority of the skiers are very average folks.  The US has its own Worldloppet marathon in the American Birkebeiner (often simply called “The Birkie”), held each year between Telemark and Hayward, Wisconsin.

I got talked into doing my first of these ski marathons by my good friend, Jerry Richardson.  Jerry and his wife, Angie, shepherded me through my first Birkie a number of years ago, and I’ve managed to complete two more since that initial foray.  They have been a blast, and I would heartily recommend this very American experience (try the walleye)  to anyone who has a desire to test themselves in a true ski marathon.

Evidently, this whetted my appetite to take on more of these adventures, and with another skiing buddy, Cary Martin, we took on the Vasaloppet in Sweden six years ago.  This 90km ski is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my long ski life.  It was held under near perfect conditions (low 20’s, sunny skies, and no wind), and was a long, but joyous celebration of skiing for me and several thousand of my close personal friends.

The pandemic postponed plans for the last three years, but this year, Jerry again convinced me to take on a couple more ski marathons, the Marcialonga held in the Val di Fiemme in Italy, and the King Ludwig Lauf held in Oberammergau, Germany.  Hey, while you’ve gone to the expense of traveling to Europe, why not get the most bang for your buck.  Given how difficult it was to secure a lottery entry into the Marcialonga, we opted to go through a tour operator, Lumi Experiences.  As an official tour operator for the marathon, Lumi was guaranteed starting spots in what turned out to be the 50th edition of the race.  In hindsight, this was an absolutely brilliant way to go.

Lumi Experiences is owned and operated by a former US XC Ski Teamer, Garrott Kuzzy, who lives and works from Innsbruck, Austria.  I have to say that Garrot has got this ski marathon tour thing dialed in.  Garrott, along with our guides, Anna and Matija, made the experience effortless, and fun.  Every transportation, lodging, eating and skiing related detail was thought through by Garrott and his team.  This allowed us to focus on what we came to do; knock off  a couple of ski marathons.  Our hotels for both races were within walking distance of the finish line and were solid 3-4 star lodging.  We were escorted to every shuttle, accompanied to the start line, and met at the finish line by Garrott, Anna or Matija (with celebratory libations in hand).  If you have a food preference, it was already communicated to the hotel staff.  If you didn’t feel like skiing, that was okay as well.  They always had suggestions for other things to do in the towns we stayed at.  For my wife, Cissy, who did not plan to race, this was a welcome option.  Perhaps best of all, Garrott arranged for wax technicians who have waxed on the WC circuit to prep our skis before each race.  We had great skis!

Our fellow tour companions also made this trip remarkable.  There were 16 of us from all over the US (and one great female skier from Canada), and each and every one of them were interesting, fun, and generally nice people.  Sharing a week of skiing with these people made the trip even more memorable.  I’m even plotting to do another Lumi trip for the Norwegian Birkebeiner Rennet with a fellow skier from this trip.  

Garrott and company made sure that we had fun.  Our post Marcialonga recovery day ski at Passo Lavesa, and our midweek stay in Seefeld, Austria gave us the opportunity to take relaxed tours in some of the most beautiful cross-country terrain that you can imagine.  Lumi also made sure that we had other non-skiing, fun stuff to do.  We learned how to make apple strudel at our hotel in Cavalese.  We noshed on appetizers and drank Proseco from our hotel’s deck as the fireworks show celebrated the last finisher of the Marcialonga (yes, it’s a very long day).  We had a brush-by encounter with Johannes Klaebo at Passo Lavesa while sipping trailside schnapps.  We tried our hand at eisstockschießen (Austrian curling) in the middle of a snowstorm in Seefeld, but mostly laughed at our incompetence.  We tried to learn how to yodel with the help of an Austrian yodeling champion. Cissy and I won a gold medal (chocolate filled) for trying hard.  We careened down the slopes of a small Austrian ski resort on very cool wooden sleds in what is called rodeling.  Yes, we did try to yodel while we rodeled.

In other words; we had a ball.  I have never been so relaxed before a big marathon than I was on this trip.  And my times for these marathons probably reflect that relaxed attitude.  However, as one of the members of our tour put it; “To finish is to win!”.  I took those words to heart.

This was essential for the Marcialonga where nearly 8000 skiers toed the line that day..  After working my way up to the 2nd wave in my last Birkie, I was disappointed to find out that I was placed in the very last wave for the Marcialonga.  Evidently, based on my having no Loppet times for the last three years (damned COVID), and my advanced age (just turned 70) I was deemed a slowpoke.  I refer to it the “Geezers and Duffers” wave.  This meant literally stopping on the course while novice skiers contemplated the hill they were about to descend.  It meant trudging in place in a herringbone stance while waiting for your fellow skiers to make their way up even the most minor climbs.  I quickly adjusted my mindset to just go with it.  There was no point in getting frustrated, and all of that slow going gave me time to take in my surroundings.  Passing through villages where bands played, the local folk ringing cowbells and shouting encouragement from second floor windows are things that makes the Marcialonga unique.  It was a long but glorious day, capped off by hearing the sound of Cissy’s voice encouraging me up the last, nasty climb and then meeting me at the finish.  That was a moment I won’t soon forget.

The King Ludwig Lauf, was a much mellower affair.  There may have been a couple of thousand racers total between the Saturday skate race and the Sunday classic race.  I was still slotted into the last wave, but with so few skiers, there was no standing and waiting that day.  The day before had warmed well above freezing and we had a hard freeze overnight.  That temperature swing coupled with a very shallow snowpack created a very icy course.  This made for screaming downhills, sketchy corners, but very fast tracks.  I doubt that I have ever double-poled that much in a race.  It was fast and fun!  As always, Garrott and crew were at the finish with beer and schnapps, but they had even skied out onto the course to offer their encouragement as we made our way through the Ammergau valley.  It was a perfect end to a perfect trip.

Marcialonga—the seventh Ski Classics stage, and first Grand Classics event, Season XV—took place today in Trentino, Italy. The traditional Italian race—starting in Moena and finished in Cavalese—saw Runar Skaug Mathisen (Lager 157 Ski Team) and Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) mastering their respective races and winning the 51st edition of Marcialonga.

MEN’S RACE

In the men’s race, which started at 8:00 CET, the action started early with Team Ragde Charge, Team Eksjöhus, Team Ramudden, and Lager 157 Ski Team setting the pace for the first few kilometers. With 53km remaining, Fabián Štoček (Vltava Fund Ski Team) hit the front, stretching the field,. The big group was attentive, not letting anyone get a break. From there until Canazei, the group remained together.

At Canazei, the first Sprint checkpoint at the 18.6km mark saw Amund Hoel (Team Engcon) crossing first, followed by Simen Ramstad (Team Kaffebryggeriet) in second, and Alfred Buskqvist (Team Ramudden) in third position. Right after the Sprint checkpoint, Team Ragde Charge hit the front, setting a fast pace and stretching the field.

At Soraga—33.3 kilometers into the race—Emil Persson (Lager 157 Ski Team) tried his luck and established a break, gaining a few seconds over his chasers. Heading to the second Sprint checkpoint of the day, with about 34km to go, Persson was brought back. A group of 12 skiers formed at the front, increasing the speed and preparing for the coming Sprint.

The day’s second—and last—Sprint checkpoint was contested in Predazzo at the 45.4 kilometer mark where Amund Hoel (Team Engcon) taking maximum points. Alfred Buskqvist (Team Ramudden) crossed in second place, followed by Simen Ramstad (Team Kaffebryggeriet) in third place.

With 22km to go, Runar Skaug Mathisen (Lager 157 Ski Team) got a break, and 16 skiers were chasing behind, already in action and preparing for the challenging last part of the race. The gap increased, and at Lago di Tesero—about 15 kilometers to go—Skaug Mathisen was 25 seconds ahead of the chasers.

With 8.8 kilometers to go, the leader increased the gap to 55 seconds, with chasers trying their best to bring the breakaway back.

With three kilometers to go, the lead gap decreased to 40 seconds over the chasers. Team Ragde Charge led the chasing group and set a fierce pace. With 1.3 kilometers to go, the gap increased to 53 seconds; it looked like Skaug Mathisen was set to get his first Ski Classics Pro Tour victory.

In the end, with an epic effort, Skaug Mathisen soloed to win Marcialonga and the first Grand Classics Season XV. Second place went to Emil Persson (Lager 157 Ski Team), 4.8 seconds back. Johan Hoel (Team Ragde Charge) completed the podium in third place, 5.5 seconds behind.

Marcialonga – Top 5 Men

1. Runar Skaug Mathisen, Lager 157 Ski Team, 2:35:53.6
2. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, +4.8
3. Johan Hoel, Team Ragde Charge, +5.5
4. Thomas Ødegaarden, Team Eksjöhus, +9.7
5. Kasper Stadaas, Team Ragde Charge, +16.0

WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s race (starting five minutes after the men) a fast pace was set from the gun, and a leading group of about 15 skiers formed early on.

One top name in the women’s field was missing today: Ida Dahl (Team Engcon) is recovering from illness and did not start at the first Grand Classics of Season XV.

At the first Sprint point in Canazei, 18.6km into the race, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (Team Ragde Charge) crossed first, followed by Frida Erkers (Team Eksjöhus) and her teammate Magni Smedås. Sixteen skiers were within 13.6 seconds of the front of the group with about 51km to go.

At Soraga, 33.3km into the race, Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) crossed first, followed by Jenny Larsson and Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, both from Team Ragde Charge.

With 30 kilometers to go, a leading duo formed: Emilie Fleten and Anniken Gjerde Alnæs. Before Predazzo, the duo leaders were brought back. At the Sprint checkpoint, 45.4km into the race, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (Team Ragde Charge) took the points, followed by Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) 0.1 seconds behind, and Magni Smedås (Team Eksjöhus) 1.5 seconds back. Jenny Larsson (Team Ragde Charge)and Kati Roivas (Team Eksjöhus) were the other two skiers in the front group of five.

With 1.5 kilometers to go, the five leading skiers were still together, with Emilie Fleten at the front at the start of the final climb. Soon, the incline began; Fleten started to push hard, and only Smedås could follow. With one kilometer to go, Fleten made a decisive move and never looked back.

Ultimately, Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) just flew up Cascata and won Marcialonga in a solid style and a total time of 3:01:07.9.

Magni Smedås (Team Eksjöhus) finished second, 13.9 seconds back, followed by Kati Roivas (Team Eksjöhus) 36.9 seconds behind the winner.

Marcialonga – Top 5 Women

1. Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, 3:01:07.9
2. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, +13.9
3. Kati Roivas, Team Eksjöhus, +36.9
4. Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, +37.5
5. Jenny Larsson, Team Ragde Charge, +1:47.6

Complete Marcialonga results can be found HERE

Location: (Beautiful!) British Columbia; SilverStar Mountain Resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club

Technique/Format: April 6, Classic technique; April 7, Skate technique; Wave starts

Distances: 21k & 40k

To register or learn more: www.sovereign2silverstar.com

Win!

• Finishing is Winning! The joy of finishing is top prize at Sovereign 2 SilverStar (S2S). We also have Age Awards for every 5 years.
• Club Championships: More to win in 2024! Last year Yellowknife won the $2,000 prize. This year, due to the popularity and close race, we have more prize money that will go to more clubs! The top 3 clubs will win $2,000, $1,000 and $500.
• Fast wins too! The S2S loves fast elite and competitive athletes too! Total purse is $6,000 for the 40k on both days; half each for males and females; money for top 5 places and free entries for 6^th, 7^th and 8^th.
• Finale to the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series: Building on last year’s success, this series is back! Four events, four beautiful locations, a fun winning formula!

Save! Discounts available for groups of 10 or more; the more you register, the more you save! Contact admin@sovereign2silverstar.com for more information.

Pssst! There’s more!

• Awesome late season snow: Experience amazing April snow and world-class grooming.
• Point-to-Party! Starts in the stadium at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and finishes on Main Street in SilverStar Village. The finish line is the end of the skiing and the beginning of a celebration – music, awards, Silent Auction and more!
• Stay and Play! Twenty minutes away and 1,200m lower in elevation, springtime in the valley offers paddling, biking, hiking, wine tasting, and golfing.

We’re eager to hear from you and to see you in April!

Any questions, contact: admin@sovereign2silverstar.com

Skier’s ages ranged from eight to 83 and came from all over North America to participate.  Yellowknife Ski Club won the Club Competition based on participation and distance travelled, resulting in a large plaque and $2000 to the club.  Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club was a very close second.  The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon was also the culmination of the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series.  The overall winners for the Series were: Women: 1^st Suzanne King, 2^nd Maureen Clement, 3^rd Daphe Brown; Men: 1^st Mikhial Kudienko, 2^nd Kent Murdoch, 3^rd Dan Packman.  The men’s was particularly close with the top three being 46,45 and 42 points.

Winners over the weekend:

Saturday: Skate 21k Men: 1^st Lex Hostyn, 2^nd Brian Brush, 3^rd Simon Lapointe; Women: 1^st Natalie Wilkie, 2^nd Erica Casey, 3^rd Rhea Loiselle. Skate 40k Men: 1^st Luke Jager, 2^nd Scott Hill, 3^rd Jack Carlyle; Women: 1^st Novie McCabe, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, Katherine Stewart-Jones

Sunday: Classic, 21k Women: Ayla Musselman Bell, 2^nd Sarah Johnson, 3^rd Laura Salmon; Men: 1^st Craig Demars, 2^nd Rowan Musselman Bell, 3^rd Michael Brewster.  Classic, 40k Women: 1^st Novie McCabe, 2^nd Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, 3^rd Dahria Beatty; Men: 1^st Julien Locke, 2^nd Luke Jager, 3^rd Scott Hill.

Image (credit Cynthia Flores) from left to right:

Marcus Boyle, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

Shayne Wright, Kidsport

Doug Ross, Kidsport

Pat van Mullem, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

Image of Event (credit Nathaniel Mah).

By: Jody Zarkos

You could not have scripted a more perfect day for the 50th annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the snow was plentiful as 967 skiers made their way down the Harriman Trail on Saturday.

Making the quickest trip from start to finish was 24-year-old Peter Wolter of Hailey, who became the 14th men’s hometown champion in race history in a winning time of 1:17.55. The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Gold Team member came down the stretch all alone, having separated from the pack at Prairie Creek with 20km to go.

“I carried my own feeds to avoid a mishap at an aid station, but it was also a tactical maneuver so I could take my feed before Prairie and then gap the field who decided to take a feed there,” Wolter said.

“It’s a classic move. Someone goes over for a feed and is not paying attention. Peter was second in line at the time,” said Rick Kapala.

“The 5km after Prairie probably has the most climbing, so I knew that would be the only place to make a gap that would hold. Jack Hegman made a valiant effort to close that gap when I first made it, but I was fortunate to keep him at bay. The next 10k was hard; I was tired from my push, and I knew that the chase pack had a target on my back.

“Skiing in solo to the finish was awesome. I’ve been fortunate to have a few breakaway races throughout my career, and those are the ones I’ll never forget,” Wolter said.

Chris Mallory, head coach of the SVSEF Gold Team, remarked, “Peter had the strategy to try and go at Prairie Creek to break things up and not leave it to a sprint finish, and he executed well. It made for a hard, lonely ski down the Harriman, but what a day it was to be out ski racing.”

Mallory added, “I think the last time he raced the BMT, he was in middle school and had the biggest blow-up ever, so this was much improved.”

Fresh off a pair of World Cup starts in France, Wolter was carrying a lot of confidence into the hometown race. Still, he took nothing for granted, even after defending champion David Norris of Steamboat Springs, Colo., pulled out due to work commitments.

“Racing the World Cup was a big boost of confidence for my skiing in general, but in regards to this specific BMT, I was actually pretty nervous come race day,” Wolter said. . “There was some external and internal pressure that I should be the obvious winner. In full transparency, the race ended up being substantially harder than expected; that lead pack of dudes, although retired from racing, still have some dangerous fitness.”

The next three men came across in a flurry, with Jack Hegman nipping Nick Power of Bozeman; 1:18.43.8 to 1:18.44.6 and 2018 BMT champion Matt Gelso in fourth in1:18:46.4. Both Hegman and Gelso are former skiers with the SVSEF Gold Team, a program for elite postgraduate skiers. Hegman boosted his 2022 finish by one spot and doubled his BMT winnings from $500 to $1000. Wolter earned $2500 in prize money for the win.

The women’s finish was 180 degrees from the men’s, with Hannah Rudd, 24, of the Bridger Ski Foundation Pro Team with a razor-thin victory over teammate Erika Flowers-Newell and Annika Landis of Craftsbury. Rudd crossed the line in 1:26.27.4. It took the race jury several minutes and a video review to determine second place between Flowers-Newell and Landis, whose timing chips both showed 1:26:28.4. Mariah Bredal, coach Andy Newell’s third skier in the field, was in serious contention for a podium spot in 1:26:28.5. The top three women all receive equal prize money as the men.

Landis, who, like Wolter, grew up skiing in the SVSEF program, had this to say about her race.

“The last 500m were a thrill. Four strong women racing for three podium spots is a little stressful, and the tension had been building as the kilometers ticked by. I ended up leading a lot of the last 6km, which tactically was not very smart, but just being in the position to sprint for the win was exciting to me. I was skiing with everything I had, trying desperately not to fall, and hoping that luck would be on my side. Waiting for the photo finish to be decided was suspenseful, but I feel so lucky to have been on the right side, and I feel proud and grateful to the three BSF women who pushed me!”

Annika, who skied in her first BMT in 2008 as a nine-year-old, reflected on completing another trip down the Harriman.

“Win or lose, I am always blown away by the energy that the BMT excites in the community, and racing at home is always so meaningful to me. It reminds me where I came from and immerses me fully in the environment that made me love skiing in the first place. That is more priceless to me than any win,” she said.

The energy of race day was electric and palpable. Kapala addressed the phenomenon at the start of Wave 3 and paid homage to race honoree Bob Rosso.

“It just goes to show what can happen when a few people get an idea and get together. It is pretty amazing. This little idea grows into an amazing thing – and it is because of that man right there we are here today,” said Kapala while pointing at Rosso.

“It is only looking back through the retrospective of 50 years that you see that the Boulder is an anchor point for all this amazing stuff that has happened in our valley, a community created around cross-country skiing and outdoor recreation. We don’t really have the Harriman Trail without the BMT with Galena Lodge at the start. Although the founders weren’t thinking of it at the time when you have a good idea, great stuff spins out of it,” he added.

Full Boulder wave winners were Dave Bergart and Lucy Conklin in Wave 3,

Andrew Dougherty and Julia Pierson in Wave 4, Mathieu Signoretty and Abelyn Broughton in Wave 5, Dermott McHugh and Dana Tower in Wave 6, and Riley Hopeman and Gillian Wilcox in Wave 7.

Full Boulder age class winners (youngest to eldest) were Bailey Kurtz, Zoe Liberatore,  Alex Larson, Evonna West, Wolter, Rudd, Hegman, Landis, Gelso, Flowers, Newell, Sarah Armstrong, Kurt Wolf, Angie Kell, Joe Jensen, Erin Zell, Todd Hegeman, Brooke Hovey, Duncan Douglas, Kim Taylor, Barry Makarewicz, Roxanne Toly, Steve Moore, Muffy Ritz, Peter Harris, Carol Mutzel, Rosso, Dagmar Eriksson, Andy Andrews and Dorsey Naylor.

Lucy Conklin and Alex Homaechevarria earned Jon Engen honors as the two skiers with the most significant time improvement by percentage from 2022 to ’23.

With 25 racers, the Boulder had the largest field of para skiers, with six-time US Paralympian Aaron Pike winning the Full Boulder in 1:46.35. Josh Sweeney and Greg Mallory were second and third in the sitting category. Erik Schultz of Hailey was fifth. For the women, it was Kendall Gretsch and Heather Galeotalanza in first and second place

Ruslan Reiter of Bozeman clocked a 1:26.12 to claim the men’s standing category over Willie Stewart. Dani Aravich (1:37.07) and Grace Miller (1:49.21) went one-two in the women’s standing class.

Title winners in the Charley Course Half Boulder were Ty Wiberg, Erin Martin (sitting), Andre Szucs, and Sarah Pedersen (standing). 12-year-old Noah Eitel and 60-year-old Patti Bellan were the fastest skiers overall in the Half.

Age class champions in the Half Boulder were Eitel, Sydney Nelson, Duncan Fryberger,

Lera Doederlein, Ty Wiberg, Greta Olsen, Scott Traver, Kimberley Johnson, Ken Hahn, Joanna Olsen, Mark Davidson, Marcia Witte, David Joss, Patti Bellan, Bill Leyrer, Donna Finegan, Tullio Cellano, Grace Dyck, and Charley French, who at 97, was the most veteran racer in the field.

The BMT paid homage to Bob Rosso at the awards ceremony in front of an adoring and appreciative crowd.

“What I love about the Boulder is the power of the race,” Bob said. “You have racers from all over coming together to share this experience. It’s really amazing.

“I love you all.”

In honor of Bob’s indelible legacy in the valley and love of skiing, the Boulder Mountain Tour this year as part of our Ski It Forward initiative is establishing the Bob Rosso Scholarship Fund. This merit award will be given in Bob’s name on an annual basis starting in 2023 to two SVSEF prep team athletes who display an enthusiasm for life, regard for people, and love of the outdoors.

“There are individuals you feel lucky to exist with at the same time; you learn from them, lean on them, laugh with them and love them. And that is Bob,” Race Director Jody Zarkos said during Bob’s tribute.

“I know I speak for all of us when I say, thank you.”

Boulder Mountain Tour: Complete Results

By: Jody Zarkos

Hometown racers Peter Wolter and Mary Rose will both be wearing bib number 1 on Saturday, February 4 in the 50th annual Boulder Mountain Tour sponsored by Zions Bank.

Fresh off his first World Cup ski races at Les Rousses, France, Peter has put together a strong season with 14 top 10 finishes in Super Tour races during the 2023 season with a victory in a 30km classic in Cable, Wisconsin, on January 14. He also nabbed a pair of top 10 results at last month’s National Championships at Houghton, Michigan.

The 24-year-old Wolter is a graduate of Middlebury College, and current member of the SVSEF Gold Team. It is his first Boulder Mountain Tour.

No stranger to the Boulder, Mary Rose, 31, was runner-up to Leah Lange by 1/100th of a second in 2022. Rose was third in 2017, her last year dedicated to serious racing as a member of the SVSEF Gold Team with 12 top 10 finishes at the NorAm and Super Tour level and five podiums.

Defending champion David Norris was signed up to race, but bowed out because of a work commitment. Leah Lange will not be on hand to defend her title either leaving the titles – and the $2500 cash prize to each winner up for grabs.

Many in the men’s top 10 are no strangers to the Harriman Trail. Jack Hegman, third place in 2022 is in bib #2, Nick Power #3, Tucker McCrerey, Matt Gelso, Cole Morgan, and 4x Olympian Andy Newell are also expected to be among the first pack across the finish line.

2019 champion Erika Flowers is part of a wide-open women’s with chargers Annika Landis, Julie Davenport, Sarah Armstrong, Felicia Geisor, Alexa Turzian, Mariah Bredal, Hannah Russ, and Jaime Bronga.

“We have a field of some of the best skiers in the US as well as many returning and new faces, all ready for a great day of skiing on an amazing course,” Chief of Start Rick Kapala said.

The Full Boulder features seven waves with 834 racers. 250 racers will tackle the Charley Course 15k Half Boulder. Included in the field are 24 Challenged Athletes Foundation adaptive racers, including members of the US Paralympic Team. Six-time Paralympian Aaron Pike leads a formidable crew of highly-decorated US teammates, including Kendall Gretsch, Dani Aravich, Grace Miller, Michael Stone, Lera Doederlein, Erin Martin, Ruslan Reiter, and Josh Sweeney. Jake Adicoff, a SVSEF alum and US Team member who finished fourth overall in 2022, is not racing in the field this year.

In 2023, the Boulder is proud to honor Bob Rosso, one of the original founders and organizers of the event. Bob has been with the BMT since its inception as well as a stalwart and valued member of our community at-large.

Check out the full 2023 Boulder Mountain Tour Program

BMT Schedule

Thursday, February 2

NordicTown USA Sprints

Simplot Lot, 2nd Avenue & Fourth Street, Ketchum

The NordicTown USA Sprints pit teams of two in a head-to-head freestyle relay format on a 400-meter oval. The event features elite racers from the field, adaptive skiers, as well as top juniors from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Cash prizes to the top teams. Come join the fun as a participant or spectator. Day of race signup only. Hot drinks and cookies provided by Sun Valley Community School. Details, Rick Kapala (208) 726-3899.

Sprint schedule

3:30 p.m. Registration and bib pick up

4:15 p.m. Welcome/Instructions

4:30 p.m. Youth mass start – 1 lap

4:45 p.m. Youth mass start – 2 laps

5:00 p.m. Adaptive class – 4 laps (If enough racers)

5:15 p.m. Elite class – 6 laps

Thursday, February 2

Boulder Mountain Tour & and Future Champions Reception

The Elephant’s Perch, Ketchum, 6 p.m.

Meet and mingle with past champions of the Boulder Mountain Tour while enjoying complimentary food, beverages and a raffle.

Friday, February 3

Race Bag/Packet Pickup and BMT Expo, 10-6 p.m.

Limelight Hotel, Main Street, Ketchum

All racers should plan on picking up their race bag and packet at the BMT Expo. Each racer receives a souvenir bib, timing chip, race-day details, official SWIX race hat, and goodies. The BMT Expo features event sponsors, industry insiders and local vendors. Want to get the lowdown on trails, temps, wax and equipment from the pros? This is the spot to do it.

Saturday, February 4

Boulder Mountain Tour, 10 a.m.

Harriman Trail, Sawtooth National Forest

The 50th annual Boulder Mountain Tour launches at 10 a.m. on the Harriman Trail. A field of 800 racers will challenge themselves over 34 kilometers. The 15k Charley Course Half-Boulder begins at Baker Creek at 11:30 a.m. Spectators can catch the elite class finish shortly after 11 a.m. at the end of the Harriman Trail located across from SNRA Headquarters.

Saturday, February 4, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

BMT Awards Celebration and Block Party

Ketchum Town Square, East Avenue and Fourth Street

Cash prizes will be given to the top three men and women overall, preem winners, and adaptive racers. Commemorative prizes will be presented to the top three male and female in each age class in the Full Boulder, wave champs and Oldest/Youngest racers. Most Improved skiers will receive the Jon Engen Award given to the man and woman who improve their time the most from the 2022 BMT. Half Boulder prizes go to fastest overall, class and team winners. The whole town – and, of course, race participants – are encouraged to celebrate the BMT, cross country skiing, and our vibrant community at our penultimate party. Food and beverage trucks, awards, and a good time will be highlighted. Party tunes, a huge raffle with great prizes from our generous sponsors and supporters. You must be present to win.

Race Sponsors

Title: Zions Bank

Platinum: Blaine County Title, The Elephant’s Perch, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Zenergy at Thunder Springs.

Gold: Sue Engelmann, Visit Sun Valley.

Corporate Silver: Atkinsons, Sun Valley Community School, Lutz Rental, Sync Vans.

Silver: Backwoods Mountain Sports, Lloyd Construction, Sturtevants, Sun Valley Company, Power Engineers, Clear Creek Disposal, Davis Embroidery, Nourish Me.

Bronze: Jones-Grover Real Estate, Morgan’s Fine Finishes, Sun Valley Ketamine Clinic, Lumi, Sawtooth Brewery, Sun Valley Associates, American Ostrich Farms, Lizzy’s Fresh Coffee.

Supporting businesses: Blaine County Recreation District, Bluebird Solar, Cellar Pub, Sushi on Second, WR YMCA, Rickshaw, Galena Lodge, Vamps, Dons, Lefty’s Bar & Grill, Wrapcity, Sawtooth Avalanche Center, Conrad Brothers Construction, Molly Goodyear Sustainable Biz, Warfield, Wylde Beet, La Parilla, Leroy’s, City of Ketchum, US Forest Service.

Industry sponsors: Fischer, One-Way, Rossignol, SWIX, Salomon, TOKO, Madshus, Rex Wax, Heed and Hammer, Bob’s Red Mill, Sticker Mule, Nordjork.

Race Grooming: The Blaine County Recreation District with Eric Rector/Mark Davidson

Race Headquarters: Limelight Hotel

Race Venue made possible by the US Forest Service, Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Press Release

Marcialonga, the seventh Ski Classics stage and first Grand Classics event Season XIV took place today in Italy. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, won the 70-kilometer-long race in grand style.

The race that started in Moena and finished in Cavalese saw Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, mastering their respective races and winning the 50th edition of Marcialonga, the seventh event of Ski Classics and first Grand Classics Season XIV.

Marcialonga’s full results can be found here.

MARCIALONGA – MEN’S RACE

In the men’s race, which started at 8:00 CET, the action started early with Mauro Brigadoi, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, Klas Nilsson, Team XPND Fuel, Karstein Johaug, Team Ragde Charge, Johannes Eklöf, Team Ramudden, Fabián Štoček, and Jan Šrail, Vltava Fund Ski Team, setting the pace for the first few kilometers.

With about 63km to go, Fabián Štoček hit the front before the first climbs, stretching the field and getting a small gap with the big group being attentive, not letting the break persist. From there until Canazei, the group remained together.

At Canazei, the first Sprint checkpoint at the 18.6km mark, we saw Alfred Buskqvist, Team Ramudden, crossing first, followed by Vebjørn Moen, Team Aker Dæhlie, in second, and Lorenzo Busin, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, in third position.

Right after the Sprint checkpoint, Mauro Brigadoi, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, tried his luck and got a break. With 42km into the race at Pozza di Fassa, the gap was already 37 seconds from the chasing group.

Heading to the second Sprint checkpoint of the day, with about 32km to go, Brigadoi was still in the lead, but the gap dropped to only 10 seconds, with the group increasing the speed and preparing for the coming Sprint.

With the break brought back, the second and last Sprint checkpoint of the day was contested in Predazzo at the 45.2km mark, with Vebjørn Moen, Team Aker Dæhlie, taking maximum points. Karstein Johaug, Team Ragde Charge, crossed in second place, followed by Chris Andre Jespersen, Team Aker Dæhlie.

With 22km to go, the main contenders started to move up to the front of the group, preparing for the challenging last part of the race.

With 10km to go, the big group started to increase the pace, stretching the field and the Pro Teams trying to position the leaders into the front.

After some kilometers, the group was stretched out, and Lager 157 Ski Team set the pace with Runar Skaug Mathisen in the front with 3.4km to go. Behind, the fight was fierce for positioning.

With 2km to go, Team Ragde Charge took the lead, and when the skiers reached the tunnel before the final climb, Oskar Kardin was the first into the final climb.

In the last kilometer, a solid 19 skiers’ group was still fighting for the win, with Morten Eide Pedersen, Team Eksjöhus, in the lead and all the favorites just behind.

In the end, with an epic final effort, Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, sprinted to the win of Marcialonga and the first Grand Classics Season XIV. Second place went to Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, 1.0 seconds back. Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, completed the podium in third place, 2.1 seconds behind.

The fastest Pro Tour skier up Cascata Hill, the second Iconic Climb Season XIV and the one who got maximum points at the Climb checkpoint was Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, with a time of 7:18.8. Herman Paus, Team Ramudden, was second, 2.3 seconds behind, followed by Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, 2.6 seconds back.

Marcialonga – Top 3 Men

1. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team
2:48:57.0
2. Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel
+1.0
3. Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge
+2.1

MARCIALONGA – WOMEN’S RACE

In the women’s race, which started 5 minutes after the men, at 8:05 CET, a fast pace was set from the gun and formed a leading group of about 15 skiers early on.

Two top names in the women’s field were missing today. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, joined the Norwegian National Team and is racing at the World Cup in Les Rousses, France. On the other hand, recovering from illness is Emilie Fletten, Team Ramudden.

With about 63km to go, Kati Roivas, Team Næringsbanken Stora Enso, hit the front before the first climbs, increased the tempo stretching the front group and putting Ida Dahl, Team Engon, into difficulties.

At the first Sprint point in Canazei, 18.6km into the race, Ida Dahl was back at the front of the group. At the line, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, crossed first, followed by Linn Sömskar, Team Engcon, and her teammate Ida Dahl. Seventeen skiers were within 25 seconds from the front of the group with about 51km to go.

With 43km to go, a leading group of four was formed, with Ida Dahl, Magni Smedås, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, and Jenny Larsson in the front. Two skiers were chasing behind and trying to regain contact, Linn Sömskar, and Kati Roivas.

After 4km, the chasing duo could catch up with the leaders, and a six-strong skier group was formed, heading into the second Sprint checkpoint of the day.

With about 30km to go, a new development in the front group again. Magni Smedås, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, and Jenny Larsson were in the lead, with Ida Dahl chasing 15 seconds back. As another chasing group, Linn Sömskar and Kati Roivas were 17 seconds behind Dahl.

At the Predazzo Sprint checkpoint, 45km into the race, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, took the points, followed by Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, 2.7 seconds behind, and Jenny Larsson, Team Ragde Charge, 13.9 seconds back. The chasers, Ida Dahl, Linn Sömskar, and Kati Roivas, crossed the sprint 1 minute and 10 seconds behind the leader.

From there, the women’s race was about two skiers: Magni Smedås and Anniken Gjerde Alnæs. With 14.3km to go, the leading duo had a gap of 33 seconds over Jenny Larsson and 1:45 seconds over the Dhal’s group.

With only 2.5km to go, the gap was 1:04 to Larsson and 2:04 to the chasers’ trio, with the final climb fast approaching.

At the start of Cascata, Magni Smedås was first, followed by Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, 6.2 seconds behind, and Jenny Larsson, 1:15.2 back. Mid uphill, Smedås had a 35-second gap over her nearest chaser, and the win was secured.

Ultimately, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, just flew up Cascata and won Marcialonga, her first Ski Classics Pro Tour victory, and the first Grand Classics Season XIV, in a solid style and a total time of 3:14:00.0.

Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, finished second, 1:05.5 back, followed by Jenny Larsson, also from Team Ragde Charge, 2:04.4 behind the winner.

The fastest Pro Tour women up Cascata Hill at the Climb checkpoint and second Iconic Climb Season XIV was Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, with a time of 9:34.5, followed by Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, 11.2 seconds behind, and Linn Sömskar, Team Engcon, 14.2 seconds back.

Marcialonga – Top 3 Women

1. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus
3:14:00.0
2. Anniken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge
+1:05.5
3. Jenny Larsson, Team Ragde Charge
+2:04.4

SKI CLASSICS COMPETITIONS – CURRENT STANDINGS

After Marcialonga, Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, and Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, lead the Champion bib competition. Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Team Ragde Charge, is carrying the Green bib of the Sprint competition, together with Alfred Buskqvist, Team Ramudden.

Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, and Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, carry the bib for the Climb competition. The Pink bib for the best Youth is resting on the shoulders of Karolina Hedenström, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Amund Riege, Team Ramudden.

Next up is Jizerská50 on Sunday, February 12. The 50-kilometer classic race marks the eighth Ski Classics stage and Season XIV’s second Grand Classics event.

By: Cynthia Engel

The 2023 Tour de Meissner offered up an exceptional ski day for all skier ambitions.  A classic-only ski tour that took place January 22, 2023 at Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area outside of Bend, Oregon, the Tour de Meissner delivered on everything that distinguishes an event from being good to being the one you mark on your calendar to make happen every year.  Yes.  A classic tour.

The Tour de Meissner came back to life in January 2020 after about a decade hiatus to remind regional Nordies, new and veteran, how great classic skiing can be and has been.  That year, 93 of us slid up to the start line, eager to spend the day kicking and gliding through 33 kms of Meissner Nordic’s 47 impeccable kms of rolling terrain – ideal for the recreational classic skier.

Fast forward 3 years and the 2023 edition of the Tour de Meissner has evolved to become a highlight on the annual calendar.  163 people shimmied up to the start line this year to test their kick on either the 17 km or 30 km course designed by race veteran, coach and event director, Ben Husaby.  Asked what he believes is the difference between a good event and great event, Ben reflected on it being about the people and the place:

“I’ve been Nordic skiing around the world for nearly 50 years and there’s something really unique about Meissner.  Meissner is a happy place to ski for every type of skier.  I wanted this Tour to showcase this special place while also creating something for everyone regardless of skills or fitness levels”.

Perhaps what makes an event great is an energized director who recognizes the importance of a sense of place and a sense of community.

The 5* temps, dozens of intrepid volunteers, blue skies, cotton ball clouds and cold, dry snow set the stage.  The prevailing emotion among the skiers as they waited in the Meissner Lodge around the glowing wood stove for their waves to start was a mix of joy, curiosity, and camaraderie.  People say Nordic skiers are strangely happier than most.  The skiers at the TdM start line would affirm that perception.

As the start waves rolled out to the tunes of a lone bagpiper, the skiers were greeted with perfectly set, solid tracks; those tracks you could trust to hold in you no matter what your speed threshold. The terrain was rolling, and the snow was fast and cold.  The perfect combination to make you feel like a rock star skier.  Hero snow.  Hero tracks. Hero terrain. Hero ambiance.

The course, easy to navigate and well-marked, led the skiers on a tour through the twists and turns of trails like Wild Strawberry and Ponderosa where, yes, the towering Ponderosas probably cheered skiers on as they slipped amidst their majestic trunks.  Skiers then descended into the open basin of Wednesdays trail, made that crazy hairpin turn at the bottom of the long hill and began the steady climb out.  The kind of grade that allows you to settle into a metronomic kick and glide cadence that reminds you why classic skiing is so dang rewarding.

Those mighty 30 km’ers headed out to catch a quick view of the edge of the world (or at least a view of the Central Oregon High Desert) before turning around and attacking the “never-ender”, then chasing and cheering each other around another series of twists, turns and climbs before everyone finally found themselves at the finish line.

Upon finishing, the emotions went from joy, curiosity and camaraderie to relief, exuberance and satiety as skiers were greeted with seemingly bottomless cups of hot chili, Crux and Worthy beer, hot chocolate (with marshmallows!) and baked goods, served up by Common Ground – a non-profit community of people striving to create a sense of belonging in the outdoors.

The sun was up for real at this point and the 5* became 25* but felt like 60* as skiers basked in the sun, swapped stories, and anxiously checked those 7 numbers on their little red ticket hoping for the moment their combination was announced by vivacious Tour director, Ben Husaby, as he handed out a stellar haul of locally sourced raffle prizes worth the wait.

What makes a classic tour great? Each tour is probably distinguishable for its own reasons.  The Tour de Meissner was exceptional because it was a tour designed around a special place to celebrate the people who make it special.

The Tour de Meissner is a free event hosted by community-based 501c3 non-profit  Meissner Nordic and takes place the third week of January.

Editor’s note: FasterSkier is fortunate to have the partnership support of The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon.

The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon is proud to announce the forming of the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series combining 4 events into one amazing event series. The events are located in Washington State and British Columbia and are structured in a manner that any age can win the series.  The various event organizers are intending to join forces to promote cross country skiing as a healthy lifestyle to stay active during the winter months.  To win the series athletes don’t have to be at the front of the overall pack.  Points are awarded at each event and according to their place in their age category.  By doing this the event organizers hope to recognize older athletes that are getting on skis consistently.

The race that started in Pontresina and finished in Zuoz saw Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, and Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, dominating their respective races and winning Engadin La Diagonela 2023, the sixth event of Ski Classics Season XIV.

ENGADIN LA DIAGONELA – MEN’S RACE

In the men’s race, which started at 8:55 CET, the action started early at the Sprint checkpoint in Samedan, 5.3km into the race, with Vebjørn Moen, Team Aker Dæhlie, crossing first, followed by Alfred Buskqvist, Team Ramudden, and Lorenzo Busin, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino.

With about 37km to go, after crossing the railroads, the skiers hit the steepest climb of the day, with Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel, Johannes Eklöf, Team Ramudden, and Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Charge, leading the group and controlling the pace, but no decisive action yet.

The second and last Sprint checkpoint of the day, 24.7km into the race at Lej da Gravatscha, saw fast man Alfred Buskqvist, Team Ramudden, taking the most points, closely followed by Fabián Štoček, Vltava Fund Ski Team, and Marcus Johansson, Lager 157 Ski Team. From there, the leading group of contenders kept together for the race.

At the last 10km of the race, about 35 skiers were still strong in the front, but the significant action came on the final kilometers.

With about 7km to go, Thomas Ødegaarden, Team XPND Fuel, was on the offensive at the front, setting the pace and trying to reduce the remaining 30 skiers’ group. With 3km to go, Team Ragde Charge upped the pace and tried to stretch the field.

With 1.5km to go, Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Charge, upped the pace but soon faded, leaving the front group open for the sprint fight.

In the end, Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, had an impressive sprint and won his fifth individual Ski Classics Pro Tour event this season, followed by Max Novak, Team Aker Dæhlie, 0.5 seconds back. Stian Hoelgaard, Team Aker Dæhlie, completed the podium in the third position, 3.1 seconds behind the winner.

Engadin La Diagonela – Top 3 Men