Worldloppet tops 100,000 participants

The annual general meeting (AGM) of the Worldloppet organizers was held in Gatineau, Ottawa (CAN) June 14.The annual general meeting (AGM) of the Worldloppet organizers was held in Gatineau, Ottawa (CAN) June 14.

The representatives of the 15 cross-country ski marathons from Europe, America, Asia and Australia united under the umbrella of the Worldloppet Ski Federation were pleased to hear, for the first time, the total participant number in the Worldloppet races exceeded 100,000 in one season. Precisely 101,500 cross-country enthusiasts raced either the short or long distance alternatives during the 2008/2009 season.

The total number of Worldloppet passport holders currently amounts to 12,600 whilst there are 2800 Worldloppet Masters (racers who have completed Worldloppet races in 10 different countries, at least one of them on another Continent) and 75 global Worldloppet Masters.

Additional items on the agenda included confirmation of the final calendar for the FIS Marathon Cup 2009/2010 which will again start with La Sgambeda and finish with the Birkebeinerennet. There will be ten competitions in total, six in classical technique and four in free technique. Payment of prize money for the winners in the FIS Marathon Cup races will in the future necessitate them having a FIS code and the races will count for FIS points.