AUSTRALIA'S premiere cross country ski event will offer the best of both worlds this season, with a virtual and in person event planned to mark the 30th anniversary of the Kangaroo Hoppet.
Last year's hoppet was scheduled for August 22, but with Covid–19 restrictions on social gathering and international travel, the decision was made in April to replace the normal 42km, 21km and 7km cross country skiing events with a virtual version in which participants could take part in the event using an activity of their choice at any location over a three week period.
The Australian and international skiing community rallied around the 2020 Kangaroo Hoppet, Australia’s international ski marathon, with 1901 participants (475 from overseas) representing 37 nations taking part in the virtual “Do It Your Way” version of the event.
Past event winners from Norway, Germany and the USA took part as well as Australian world champions in mogul skiing and mountain biking.
Activities included running, walking, cycling, swimming, roller skiing, inline skating, paddling, canoeing, mountain biking, swimming, exercise machines, and, for the limited number of Australians with the opportunity to ski at Perisher and Falls Creek, (not to overlook ski tunnels in Finland and Norway), cross country skiing.
With two enthusiasts completing their Hoppet at research bases in Antarctica, the event reached all seven continents, which is believed to be a world first for sporting events!
The Virtual Hoppet was a great way to bring the skiing community together during global isolation.
The 2021 Hoppet will be held on Saturday, August 28, and mark its 30th birthday, and 30th running of the event at Falls Creek.
While organising committee members are all looking forward to a relatively normal winter and a real Hoppet at Falls Creek, they have decided to also offer a virtual Hoppet for international skiers who cannot make it to Australia and of course the virtual event will be open to Australian skiers who cannot make it to Falls Creek and also non skiers who want to be part of the event.
Holding both events will allow for the international skiing community to be connected through the great local world class ski event.
With the uncertainty of border openings and closing complicating the issue, entries for the Hoppet will not open until July 1 with the Earlybird price on offer until July 31.
While many skiers will just be happy to get back to the trails in the local region, the Hoppet is a great way for all skiing enthusiasts to come together towards the end of the season.
The atmosphere and pageantry mark the event as a memorable occasion for all participants, whether they be at the front of the field, or enjoying the day with family and friends.
Allan Marsland was one of the many local drivers behind the event and has been the face of the Hoppet for 30 years.
He told Mt Hotham/Falls Creek News that while there have certainly been some ups and downs since the inaugural event in 1991, the organising committee has always staged a great event.
"2021, while challenged through restricted international travel, will be another memorable event," he enthused.
"It will be great to see the atmosphere and excitement again as the skiers start and finish in the Nordic Bowl.”
For further information please contact info@hoppet.com.au or www.hoppet.com.au
See you in Falls Creek on August 28.
