TRADITION is everything in events and the Kosciuszko Alpine Club (KAC) held their 50th Perisher to Charlotte Pass cross country (xc) race in August.
THE KAC XC Classic is one of the main events on the cross–country calendar, and while it may not have the heady numbers it did in its heyday, there are a core group who arrive each year to keep it alive.
At the registration desk, Alan Hislop advised it was the 50th race and that "we've had numbers up in the seven hundreds at our peak".
"We used to have a lot of university students because it fitted in well with that timing. In those days often there was fancy dress, and it was a real fun day. These days, sadly, I think it's still the same university students that are racing 50 years later," said Alan.
Wayne Pethybridge said he had been racing since he was 13 years of age and had only missed one event since 1973. Wayne explained more about the day saying there were two different races, classical style and the skating freestyle race, and it was often about wax when it comes to preparation.
"Skating has just all got speed wax on, it's definitely an advantage to get the right speed wax on, go as fast as possible and use the least amount of energy," said Wayne.
Most entrants still strive for the best result possible, but for some it was more about the journey and just being involved in the day. Ken Baxter is another long term competitor who in his heyday was a race winner but now settled for just being able to compete, with a respectable time of course.
Martin Vaugh said he had already completed one journey of the course as he had skated down from his Charlotte Pass lodge to the start. Martin is another long–term competitor.
"Traditionally I've been doing this race since I was probably 14. It's good to see the tradition keeps going but the numbers are getting smaller and smaller," said Martin.
Both disciplines have a mass start with the keen racers eager to set the pace and scoot off up the road past Mt Perisher and the Eyre T–bar. At the other end the finish line awaits, some out of breath more than others, but another completed KAC race.
On this day it would be Declan Burke taking line honours in the men's freestyle and Alina McMaster winning the women's freestyle. In the classical, Yvie Wei won the women's race and Hugo Loneragan the men.
