As part of the lead up to the 2015 Kangaroo Hoppet the organisers are profiling 25 Faces of the Hoppet.
Click [HERE] to find out who is the latest Face of the Hoppet.
The Birkebeiner Bulletin — May 2015 is now available for viewing on-line as a pdf file (1.7 MB).
To view the latest Birkie Bulletin all you need to do is click the link in this email message and the pdf file will open in your web browser. Note: You do not need to go to the website to read the newsletter.
Alternatively, if you wish to save the newsletter to your computer you need to go to the club’s website <Newsletters> and download the Birkie Bulletin pdf file. (Right click the link and select ‘Save Link As…. or ‘Download Linked File As…’ depending on the browser you use). Past issues can also be accessed on the site.
Birkebeiner Bulletin – May 2015
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We need 3 Work Teams:
Meet at Nordic Bowl at 10am or at the Hoppet Office at 9am for car pooling. Barbecue lunch provided by club at Nordic bowl if fine weather, clubhouse if not. All RSVPs, issues or accommodation solutions to be forwarded to Blair Hume, blair@yahoo.com.au or call or text 0404 530 358. |
Click [HERE] to go to the Falls Creek Ski Resort website for more information and to get a Permit Online (the cheapest option).
The major work on the Clubhouse has started thanks to Jim Crebbin (co-ordinator) and builder club members Mike Smith and Rob Boland.
The extensive renovations include the replacing all windows with double glazing and aluminium frames, and re-cladding the outside with Colorbond. Window installation is complete with the Colorbond arriving this week.
Jim has had a good band of helpers and the Club thanks those who have put in, namely: Jim & Meg Crebbin, Mike Smith, Rob Boland, Phil Evans, Bob Flower, Paul Gray, Bill Little, Doug Hamilton and Rus Bellingham.
Click [HERE] to View a Slideshow of Photos on the Clubhouse History Page
(each photo has a play/pause button and forward & back arrows to control the show)
This year will see the 25th running of the Kangaroo Hoppet cross country ski marathon at Falls Creek on the fourth Saturday in August.
Over 1,200 skiers from all around the world are expected to take part in the 42km main event together with the associated 21km and 7km shorter events on August 22nd.
As we reach the start of autumn, it is now 25 weeks until the 25th Kangaroo Hoppet.
“25 years is a pretty remarkable achievement” says Hoppet Race Director Allan Marsland, “and we are planning for an increased level of participation with past skiers returning for the occasion and bringing family and friends with them”.
“As part of the lead up to the event we plan to publish 25 profiles of a range of people involved with the events, not only as participants but also as volunteers. By highlighting the achievements of these people we hope to inspire others to make the decision to come along and be part of the cross country skiing activity at Falls Creek not just at Hoppet time but throughout the season as well”.
Alice Hamilton, 31, Tawonga, Victoria
I completed my first 21km Birkebeiner race seven years ago, after a couple of seasons of cross-country skiing. Before that I was into snowboarding!
Cross-country skiing got me out exploring, and it was something I enjoyed doing by myself or with friends. I also enjoyed the fitness aspect. I was getting a full body workout and it made me feel really good, especially when I would go skiing early in the morning as the sun was coming up!
I loved being a part of the whole Hoppet event. Back then, I saw people competing in the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet and thought it was beyond me, but I kept skiing and improving my Birkie results, and a few years later I entered the 42km for the first time. I just wanted to make it around the course! That was 2011 when it was held up on Frying Pan. I had a big crash coming off the summit and ended up with some blood on my face. I wasn’t hurt, but I felt a bit emotional after finishing something so hard and managing to scrape inside the top ten women!
Now I’m involved with the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. I enjoy the community aspect to skiing and getting involved in club races and events, like Ski de Femme.
I have not experienced anything quite like the vibe you get at the Hoppet, with everyone from elite international skiers, our own Olympians, young families and everyone in between.
After a year off in 2013 and the Birkie in 2014, I think I’ll have another crack at the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet in 2015, its 25th anniversary!
Female cross country ski athletes, coaches, officials, administrators & supporting mums. We need your help to ‘talk up’ XC skiing…raise our media profile and get more people & sponsors on skinny skis!
Come along to The Media & Communications Skills Workshop, organised by the Ski & Snowboard Australia, National Cross Country Committee and funded by the Australian Sports Commission’s Women Leaders in Sport Program.
Alice Wheeler (Sports Media Communications specialist), is the guest speaker and other presenters include, James Bennett (ABC Reporter) & Michelle Armstrong (Communications Consultant). Specifically tailored to meet the needs of the XC Ski community, this dynamic and interactive Workshop will give participants the skills and confidence to maximise media opportunities, deliver media interviews and help build the XC skiing brand as a ‘healthy sport for life with multiple pathways for athletes, coaches, officials and recreational skiers’.
Whether you are a national team athlete looking to share the media spotlight with other elite sportspeople or a race organiser; club official, school ski team wanting some local media coverage, there will be plenty to take home!
Clubhouse renovations — In March our club will be doing some extensive work to the Clubhouse, namely, replacing all windows with double glazing and aluminium frames, and re-cladding the outside with Colorbond. Jim Crebbin will be co-ordinating the project with the builders and volunteers.
This Sunday March 1st — To start the ball rolling, Jim would like a couple of workers to help him and Bob Flower to prepare the old windows for removal. Meet at Jim’s house, 20 Tawonga Crescent, Mount Beauty at 8am. You will be home for a late lunch. (Please contact Jim ASAP and let him know if you are coming.)
The other work will be done when Rob Boland and Mike Smith (our two member builders) are available.
List of volunteers needed — What Jim needs is a list of members who are willing to help with the project to install the Clubhouse windows and re-clad the outside.
If you are willing to be contacted when he needs help, can you please let Jim know, and tell him which days of the week you could be available during March 2015.
The other factor we need to know is whether you are happy to work on scaffolding. No great skills are needed as we will be just helping the experts (who are also volunteering their time).
Later next week Mike Smith will need help to erect the scaffolding.
Jim’s contact details are: Tel: (03) 5754 4586, Email: mjcrebbin@bigpond.com
The Club has five skiers (out of a team of eleven) and three officials representing Australia at the upcoming World Senior Championships in Falun, Sweden — 18th February to 1st March 2015.
Skiers are:
 Esther Bottomley |
 Phillip Bellingham |
 Anna Trnka |
 Paul Kovacs |
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 Casey Wright |
Officials are: Head Coach, Finn Marsland, Coach, JC Legras, and Manager, Brian Keeble.
Click [HERE] for Finn’s Championship preview.
The events can be followed live via FIS timing and will be broadcast on Eurosport Australia via Foxtel. Live results and video can also be viewed via the World Championship apps , using the latest interactive technology. Search for Falun 2015 on your device.
Finn will have regular updates on www.ausxc.com
For the Official Championship website click [HERE]
The Club wishes skiers and officials all the best over the coming two weeks of races.
The Club in junction with the Falls Creek Resort Management (FCRM) conducted a very successful working bee on Sunday 18th January with 19 club members attending.
Background to the Working Bee
The Falls Creek Resort Management (FCRM) has agreed to undertake a total revamp of the cross country trail signage system at Falls Creek. Geoff Sorensen has been appointed by FCRM to manage the project and has developed a timetable which should result in a high percentage of the system being in place before the start of the 2015 ski season.
The first stage of the project was to remove most of the existing signs, poles, fencing and gates and to reposition some poles in preparation for the new signs to be attached. This was done at the working bee.
The Club would like to thank the following for volunteering on the day.
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 Blair Hume |
 Ian Franzke assisted by Bethany & Rosie |
 Geoff Sorenson (FCRM) doing serious work |
 Greg Beanland (left), Doug Hamilton (front) & Bob Flower (back) |
