By RobJuxon@gmail.com
A subject not yet covered in the Lions directory of Knowledge is the wonderful sport of Cross Country Skiing. As a first timer Lion for 2016, I thought worth sharing some experiences of a favorite sport. I must also admit that it is a vain attempt to prove to our illustrious leader, Antonio, that I have indeed been doing some training for our May adventure. It is also directly linked to the Pyrenees where there are a number of fantastic resorts available for cross country skiing over the winter months.
Cross Country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own efforts to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. It is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity, especially in the Nordic regions. There are two main types, that of “Classic” where skiers ski along pre cut tracks in the snow, in a running style action, and “Skating” which uses a different type of ski and skiers will make their way along a much wider pisted track in a skating action. Both are Olympic Sports, and when combined with shooting also make for the two components of Biathlon.
I was first introduced to the Sport when in the British Army many years ago when sent away to compete in a season of Biathlon racing as a young Officer. There can be worse missions to be sent on! Ever since, I have loved to keep it up and in particular like the resort of Seefeld in Austria, possibly one of the top resorts in Europe for Cross Country skiers.
As part of the training for the Lions trip, I found myself in Switzerland this past March, ready to take part in the world’s largest Cross Country Ski race, known as “The Engadin”. The race has been running every March for 48 years and is a 42 km marathon across the lakes and hills surrounding St. Moritz in Switzerland.
The Start of the Engadin heading across the lakes above St Moritz
Along with a group of friends, we headed to Switzerland for a few days of advance acclimatization and training in the run up to the race. This is essential when knowing that the race is at about 1,800 meters above sea level and even at the best of times it can take several days to get one’s ski legs working.
For the race, skiers can chose to either use the “classic” style or “skating” style as they prefer. Classic tends to be easier to learn at first. However, skating is significantly faster and the vast majority of skiers tend to go with that.
The race day starts with an early breakfast and then fleets of buses taking competitors to the start. There is an array of Pens for competitors to muster, depending on their rankings. First timers start at the back. The Elite racers will start at 8 am and can be finished in an incredible 1 hour 35 minutes. Anything below 4 hours is considered to be pretty good.
Just as in cycling, skiers will draft each other as they shelter from the wind and let the leaders take the hard work
In glorious conditions we set off, only to very quickly lose each other. The reality of this kind of race is that everyone needs to go at their own pace. The key, in my view, is to keep one’s heart rate below 150 at all times, never be “anaerobic”, where muscles will tighten up and glycogen stores can deplete quickly. Also, keep well fed at the food and drink stations along the way. Thankfully, all went well and digging deep into reserves on the very painful last miles we all got around in one piece, arriving to the sound of a band and celebrations as thousands skiers hobble to their kit bags and the trains awaiting to take people home. In true Swiss style, the event is very well organized and for any budding Skier, I would thoroughly recommend it. One member of our group was over 60 years old, and with only a weeks ski training managed to complete the race.
There are many great locations to practice across the Pyrenees over the winter such as Baqueira and Grandvalira – Pas de la Casa.
Photo: Rob Juxon holing on with just a few kilometers to go