THE 2024 Mogul Ski World Victorian Interschools Cross Country Championships kicked off at Mt Buller on Sunday August 4.
The cross country competition attracted 620 event entries for the classic and relay events from 48 schools.
Then it ramps up with a huge week on the mountain from Monday August 19 to Sunday August 25 with all the other disciplines in action.
“Everyone in the Mt Buller community has a role in making Mogul Ski World Interschools Snowsports Championships happen,” said Buller Ski Lifts general manager Noel Landry.
“It’s seven days of high energy on and off the slopes.
“Our BSL team will be working around the clock to groom courses, set and manage the races and give school-aged athletes from across the state the best possible conditions to showcase their skills.
“I wish every athlete, the tireless school coordinators and the hundreds of parents behind the scenes a happy and successful Interschools.
“I look forward to celebrating in the sports hall at presentations each night and seeing friends cheering each other on all week."
The Interschools Snowsport Championships provides an opportunity for Australian school students of all ages to experience competitive snowsports and to participate at either a recreational or competitive level.
Students Kindergarten/Prep to Year 12, compete for their school as part of a team or an individual in any of our nine discipline events.
“The main event week has 6000 plus entries across the disciplines of Alpine Giant Slalom, Ski Cross, Moguls, Snowboard Giant Slalom, Snowboard Cross, Ski Slopestyle and Snowboard Slopestyle from 240 plus,” according to Snow Australia Interschools event manager David Speirs.
Students compete in divisions based on their year at school.
Competitors from all ability levels are encouraged to enter, with an emphasis on fun and participation.
The championships encompasses the Multiclass event hosted at the Victorian Interschools since 2013, as opportunity for capable skiers and snowboarders with an intellectual or physical impairment, from any Victorian school, to participate in a fun and inclusive environment.
The event to be held Wednesday August 21 is organised by the Multiclass Sports Association, in conjunction with Snow Australia and Mt. Buller, Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) and Special Olympics Victoria.
“The event started in 1958 with eight competitors from two schools,” said Mr Spiers.
The first schools to compete were Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College with four boys from each competing in an alpine giant slalom event.
The Victorian Interschools during its 60 year history has continued thanks to the generosity of many within the snowsports industry family the tradition of awarding perpetual trophies to winning individuals, teams and schools.
There are also a series of trophies for outstanding overall achievements.
Some 140 perpetual trophies are now in existence.
Many competitors have gone from competing for their school, to becoming elite athletes competing for Australia as Olympians and Paralympians.
Two names with associations with Mt Buller and the Interschools include Jakara Anthony and Peter Forras.
Anthony competed in the freestyle skiing at the PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 and continues to make headlines with her ongoing successes.
Forras grew up on Mt Buller and started skiing after his late father Aurel, a Hungarian immigrant bought the first hotel on the mountain, the Kooroora.
He competed in the alpine skiing event at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
The ongoing success of the Interschools Snowsport Championships is possible with the help of more than 550 volunteers, and key partners Mogul Ski World, Karbon, XTM, Rockwire and Mt Buller.
