Fasterskier.com reported last week on the upcoming two person marathon-relay running race; 14 times up and down “Wolf Mountain†on July 3 in Skien, Norway. A number of high profile cross country and biathlon skiers have already entered. We reported (by error) in our first article about Odd Bjorn Hjelmset’s solo 24-hour record attempt last summer up the same mountain that he (only) did this for “fun and gloryâ€. We later realized that there was a good “chunk of change†involved. We have reason to believe this is the case for this year’s new “made for media†Wolf Mountain events as well. Fasterskier.com has been contacted by one elite two-person US team interested in participating in this race and we are waiting for a response from the organizer — we’ll keep you posted.
Here are some other “money making opportunities†for fast World Cup skiers to consider and for cross country ski enthusiasts doing a “European vacation†to consider go watching:
Ski Race in Kragero, Norway — June 26
This is the 20th annual summer ski race held in Kragero, on Norway’s south, west coast. The drive to Kragero from Oslo is roughly four hours and takes you to one of the nicest areas to visit (in Norway) in the summer — “Sorlandet or The Southland†where swimming, narrow streets, boat-tourists, towns where most of the old homes are all painted in white, shrimp eating, concerts and partying dominates all summer.
(I could really get going about this area since I grew up in Langesund, only 40 minutes away from Kragero, but I think you get the picture.)
The organizers traditionally make a short loop (of snow and ice) down at the harbor and it attracts thousands of spectators as well as national television. You can even watch the race from your boat (if you can find a spot)! The race will be held in classic style and is usually done in heats leading to a final. A world record attempt in 100 meter double poling, ski jumping and a snowboard show is also on the agenda. The day-time temperature is roughly 80F at this time of year. Top skier like Jaak Mae, Andrus Veerpalu, Mathias Frederiksson as well as the entire Norwegian National team is expected to race in a small field of roughly 12-14 in the men’s race and the same number in the women’s race.
Rollerski Sprint Race at Dombaas, Norway
Biathlon World Cup star Lars Berger and many of Norway’s best sprinters are “going all out†in a rollerski sprint race in downtown Dombaas on June 17. The national team is finishing up their on-snow camp at Sognefjellet at that time, so a stop at Dombaas is convenient.
Tor Arne Hetland, Trond Einar Elden and Eldar Ronning has announced their participation. The organizers have promised money-prices and moscus-safari for the racers.
Other European and North American rollerski and running races
Last year we reported from the Italian team’s participation in a rollerski race in Africa and several other central European and US rollerski races (Boise, Idaho). We are again checking into these events. Please let us know about such competitions in your area. Send us a heads-up or a race report. We are also interested in hearing about running races that cross country skiers typically participate in, like hill-climbs, trail running, and cross country races.
