Engadin Skimarathon Adventure 2020
By Bruce Clulow
Inspired by the 2019 Merino Muster and our ongoing enthusiasm as first year skate skiers, Graeme Male and myself decided to sign up for one of the European WorldLoppet races. Considering which race was inevitably an easy decision for me, as my son is living in Lausanne, Switzerland and the Engadin Skimarathon being one of the easier 42K courses on the WorldLoppet circuit. As such, Engadin was the logical choice. All I needed to do now, was to persuade Graeme. It didn’t take a lot of convincing; I think Graeme registered within a few days of us discussing it. Just like that, we were committed. I also registered for the 42k event and in addition convinced my son James to participate in the race with us.
The scene was set, now all we had to do was to work on our fitness and train for the event. With the southern hemisphere’s ski season all but over...............................Read more
In 2018 I was a complete novice Cross Country skier when I embarked on an Icelandic adventure, now I am a converted Worldloppet skier.
By Judy Reid
Four usually not so adventurous Wanaka ‘girls’ were having a coffee at Snow Farm when someone lets go to Iceland. We agreed it was a brilliant idea, to convince our partners we needed purpose. We googled the Fossavatnsgangan Worldloppet race, it had distances from 12.5km to 50 km classic,so I thought, sure I can go. I had just started cross country skiing, as retired dairy farmers wife with my only exercise milking cows. I was nervous as I do not like the downhill component but Mary Lee told me not to worry just take your skis off and walk on the side of the trail.
We purchased the race package with Wild West tours that included some of Iceland's best tourist attractions. A little concerned about what I’d committed myself to, I studied Worldloppet skiing and realised it focused on finishing not speed. I had only skied the 7km Merino Muster and have an aversion to downhills............. Read More
