Year 1999
What to do next? What about America? I got an idea which looked funny - compete in American races which imitate Scandinavian races. I chose three - American Vasaloppet, American Finlandia and American Birkebeiner. The last one would bring me one little step closer to the second Worldloppet medal.
American Vasaloppet was such an adventure, that it grew into a separate STORY. After the race, I went with few American skiers to the North Shore on the banks of Lake Superior. It was superior skiing, but on the second day, I got a paralysing back strain and doctor advised me to return home. I cut off my races, but on the way home, was still Salt Lake City. I stopped for 2 days in Park City, arena of next year's Olympic Games. And dared for some very careful downhill.
Hoppet. Beginning of ski season was very good.I started in ski rogaining with Ania at Mt Stirling, and we came second overall. Week before Hoppet, I skied as usual Rocky Valley Rush and I had unpleasant experience. On downhill to Sun Valley, I was hit by a strong, cold wind and I felt strong pain in my chest.
It passed after some warm up, but I remembered it. I earned a fourth addition to my collection of mugs. They ran ot of mugs in followig years. Then there warm weather came.
Snow melted on the Dam Wall. Hoppet was reduced to 2 loops around Heathy Spur. I felt bit heavy all the way, not much joy. Michael beat me by 11 minutes, Ania came third in her age group in Birkebeiner. In the main race for women, we had Jannike Oeyen, Norwegian working at Snow Farm
in New Zealand. She gave serious scare to men, keeping among first five. Her final time gave her 9th place among men.
After Hoppet, Hotham to Falls. This time in full glory - see HERE. I got a special reward in this race - The Best Lost Person. It is a regular reward as every year someone goes astray.
Ski season ended, I visited a sport doctor and told him about my chest pain. Visit to cardiologist, angiogram, 3 arteries partly blocked. We decided for a bypass.
It was performed at the beginning of December in Alfred public hospital. I recovered extremely well, but was hit by a strong infection afterwards.
Few days later, I started very careful but regular exercises. Three weeks after operation, I returned to Street Orienteering, in walking category. At the same time, I returned to work, initially in reduced hours.
