Cross-country news - 5/2/9
Rollerski instructors: our ski challenges, 2009

When your rollerski instructors aren't rollerskiing, we like to ski on snow. Here are a few things we've been getting up to so far this year -

KAROLINA -

In January, Karolina returned to the Czech Republic to take part in the 'Jizerska' races. She was first lady (and 23rd overall, out of 682 racers) in the 25k half distance main classic race. She also finished first in the 30k skating race on the Friday before the main race.

ALAN -

Alan took part in the British Champs for cross-country skiing and biathlon - he finished 2nd / 28 in the 10k pursuit (5k classic, followed by 5k skating) and 5th / 135 in the 15k classic. He also finished 14th / 134 in the 10k biathlon sprint (despite hardly any biathlon training!) He also took part in the Pustertalerlauf and Dolomitenlauf ski marathons, and got 210 FIS points in a FIS race at St Jakob, Austria.

EKATERINA -

Ekaterina was coaching the skiers of the British Nordic Development squad in Obertilliach, Austria. The racers took part in the cross-country ski races 31 Jan to 3rd February. For results, see www.britishbiathlon.com

IAIN -

I took part in my first classic ski marathon, the 45k 'Budorrennet' in Hamar, Norway, finishing in 2hr 54 minutes, on 3 January. A couple of days later I met up with Rory Morrish - of the Irish XC ski team - in Oslo, who persuaded me to get an Irish passport and FIS license (when you are from NI you can have both GB and IRE passports). I did the FIS Developing Nations training camp in the Czech Republic the week later, and took part in my first FIS race, a 10k race in Liberec, Czech Republic, obtaining 347 FIS points.

MARY -

Mary went to Livigno in December with LRNSC where she participated in La Sgambeda, the free technique cross country ski marathon that opens the winter season. She finished the 40k in 3hr 33mins, her best time for the distance. She went on to co-lead cross country ski holidays for Exodus at Kvitavatn in Norway with a dash to Seefeld to help us out during our week there.

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