Year 1994
Mid January I flew to Italy. First stop was in Venice. I spent only one day there, what a pity.
My arrival in Austria, in Lienz, was very disappointing. Snow cover was very poor.
Next day, Kevin and I searched for skiable terrain. The closest one was in St Jacob. There was good snow cover but there was terribly cold. In the morning -19C. Days were sunny but St Jakob was located in deep valley so we could see sun only on the mountain tops. Temperature at noon rose only to -16C. We haven't met any skier there. Evenings were equally colourless. We had dinner in some restaurant as only overseas visitors. Only consolation was Wiener Schnitzel from the Schnitzel Land.
Two days later there came inevitable - the race was cancelled!
There was no point to stay longer in Lienz, we drove to Predazzo in Italy. Later years proved, that snow in Lienz was very unreliable. Organizers established Obertillach as a backup place. In fact it was being used more frequently than Lienz. In 1993, snow conditions in Obertillach were quite decent but at that time the organizers were not so wise.
Snow cover near Predazzo was also poor but better than in Lienz and much better than year earlier - see link to Year 1993. Organizers relied strongly on enthusiasm of local people, who would do everything to make the race happen.
Weather was sunny all the time, it was specifically enjoyable at evening when all surrounding mountains looked like in flames - thus the name of the place - Val di Fiemme - Valley of Flames. We had very good meals in our hotel. weather was cold but bearable, we met few skiers on the trails. My only worry was the distance - 70 km. First ski marathon in my life and such a distance!?! So it was a great relief, when I learned that due to poor snow, the distance has been shortened to 45 km and we will finish the race in Predazzo, very close to our hotel.
Race day! I was terribly excited, then shocked by the crowd of some 4,000 skiers. And finally amused. For the first few kilometers, skiers had to ski in the narrow streets of small villages. They were covered with layer of snow of porridge consistency, in which we fell deep, to the middle of calves. On top if it, in this crowd, skiers crossed skis with other skiers, were pushed from every direction. There was a big crowd cheering and jeering. Some of spectators had lists of competitors and whenever a pretty female showed in the crowd, they declared everlasting love to her. When we reached open tracks and made turn in Canazei, few climbs appeared and narrowing tracks. Long, queue moved very slowly up the hill and some unruly skiers took off skies and jumped around. There was not much relief at the top as everyone has been stopped by a patroller and had to wait until track ahead was free of any bodies.Quickly I stopped to worry about my result. I felt confident that I will complete this race and enjoyed the fun.
Last stage of our adventure was Oberammergau, medium size town famous for productions of wooden figures of saints, beautiful paintings on houses walls and Passion play every 10 years.
This time we stayed in private home, there were many skiers around. Weather was not very good, this time foggy and wet, but the race looked certain. And we had beautiful surrounding of another town - Ettal and many castles of crazy King Ludwig including Disneyesque Neuschwanstein.
But we were not very happy with food. Menu in restaurants was poor and service not very friendly. I visited this place in 2001 again, could not believe how much the services and food improved.
Another disappointment was finding that one of my skis was fractured. When I asked in ski shop for fixing it, they made strange face - you cannot fix a cross-country ski. Not true, week later in Poland my ski was fixed perfectly. Anyway, I bought new Fischers. By that time, I visited bank few times to cash my travellers cheques (credit cards were not so much in use). Noticing a querying look of the teller, I explained, that each time I need cash, I just sell one of my sheep in Australia.
Race Day. Misty weather, slightly shortened course, some queues on climbs. I felt already like a veteran of Worldloppet races. I finished the race without great emotions.
Final balance was not so impressing - all that big trip for 2 races only, very average snow conditions. Is this Worldloppet business worth continuing???
Winter in Australia was excellent. I skied in Lake Mountain almost every weekend. Had also some preparatory races: BullFight Charge in Lake Mountain, Razorback Rush at Mt Stirling - quite challenging mountain race, Rocky Valley Rush in Falls Creek. The last one was classical. That was something new. I do not know whether my hired skis were very slow or I forgot my experience 2 years ago, anyway I felt like dragging bags of sand at my feet. Terrible.
And then Hoppet. I was accompanied by my children and a German friend whom I met in Italy. On the race day, the weather was good for laying on the beach but not necessarily for skiing. Views were beautiful but around noon the snow was very heavy.
Anyway, another Worldloppet race under my belt. I forgot my grudges after European races and started dreaming about the next season.
