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It took me 5 years of skiing in Australia to learn about the best race of them all. In 1998, together with Michael we started in Hotham to Falls back country ski race.
The Hotham to Falls began in 1978 when Audun Endestedt raced to Falls Creek to pick up his car. It took him 1hr 51 mins. In 1986 he established the current record of 1hr 27 min for 25 km back country race.
The race starts at Mt Loch car park then goes down to Charles Derrick Hut, further down to Dibbins Hut, the lowest point of the race (500 metres descent). From there it climbs following the Snow Pole Line to Pole 333 at Bogong High Plains (460 metres ascent). At this point the race goes off the tracks, competitors must be able to follow the compass bearing of 33 degrees to reach Pretty Valley from where they follow ski trails to Falls Creek.
Year 1998 was the 21st anniversary of the race so we had a chance to feel the air of the tradition.
First of all - Alan Ferrari, race organizer, a person of great wit, fantasy and personal charm.
Secondly, mixture of top Australian cross country skiers with a bunch of experienced ski tourers.
Thirdly a full ritual of the event which starts with a breakfast in Harrietville Hotel followed by a bus ride to Mt Loch car park. The race starts with a pop of champagne cork. The aim of the race is - beat the bus as the bus starts a 80 km ride to Falls Creek. And it all ends with a very formal dinner in Harrietville.
Fourthly, dressing up.
Fifthly and finally - sponsorship by some wine making company - for many, many years it was Brown Brothers. In some years sponsors went to such extremes as providing top hat drink station at Pole 333 - serving snow chilled champagne of course.
Motto of the race is: The JOURNEY is more important.
My history.
Winter 1998 was very poor in snow and on the race day - 12th September, there was dense fog and some rain. Skiing to Falls Creek was impossible. Actually any skiing was impossible. So the race format was changed to cross country run from Mt Hotham to Dinner Plain. In such circumstances, more effort was spent on a fancy dress. I could not believe to what extent some people went.
I made a dress of 21 race bibs...
... and shared a best dressed up prize together with Sam and Margaret who dressed up as Elvis and Madonna. The run on muddy tracks was rather uneventful. We were all impressed by Max Schleitner who carried his skis all the way and put them on for the finish.
Year 1999 compensated all shortcomings of the previous year. Lots of snow and beautiful sun. Michael accompanied me again. I managed to get down to Cobungra Gap in a very good position and then missed the track in the dense forest. I discovered my mistake when I came to a patch of mud. There were no footprints.
Possibilities were two: either I was leading the race or I was lost.
I considered my chances for a while: I ran at least 15 minutes on the wrong track. Plus 15 minutes return means half an hour loss. Chances for a good place in the race have gone.
So why not to feel as a leader? Follow the track where nobody has gone! I knew where I was and which way to go. My course was few kilometres longer and very hard in places where I had to climb through dense bush in deep snow. This was the time and place to fully appreciate race motto: the journey is more important!
My efforts were nicely rewarded - I won a prize for the best lost racer.
Year 2000. Bad weather again. This time Ania and Peter were my company. We raced to Dinner Plane, luckily on skis but on very slushy snow. I was dressed up for Pole 333. And won some prize together with Ania and Peter.
Margaret and Sam, dressed as geisha and sumo wrestler, traditionally won the best dressed up team prize.
Year 2001. Dinner Plain again :((((
This time the dress up theme was BEES. Ania, Peter and myself skied with antennas and wings and this was the only bright part of the race, plus the final party of course. This time I noticed absence of most of our top racers. Apparently professional approach to sport did not leave enough margin for enjoyment. What a loss.
Year 2002. Snow and Sun!!!
Ania and Peter accompanied me again. Everything went according to schedule. Margaret and Sam were dressed up as Christmas Trees, they had even twinkling lights. For the first time I did not win any prize. Beautiful race was priceless enough.
At the finish line everyone was greeted by a wild bear, which almost broke my ribs.
Great party at the end, and the sad news - due to lack of sponsorship this was the last race.
Thank you Alan Ferrari and all fellow skiers for five memorable races!
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