Most exciting finish (and entire race) of 42km Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek - Official Home of Falls Creek Alpine Resort

(Updated Monday 30th August 2010)

Whilst the elite group of Australian and overseas cross-country skiers when flat out the entire race, hundreds of recreational skiers enjoyed what was hailed the best Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek ever held.

After weeks of significant snowfalls today was crystal clear and virtually every participant was enthusiastic about the 7km, 21km and marathon-length 42km Hoppet course. Swiss skier Valeri Leccardi (who was fourth last year) was too strong for our two Winter Olympians Ben Sim and Alex Almoukov who both crossed the finish line together. In the photo finish Almoukov edged out Sim by half a ski length who was attempting to create history by winning four Kangaroo Hoppets. Victoria's Minister of Tourism and Major Events Tim Holding, completed the 7km Joey Hoppet in his very first attempt at cross-country racing in about 40 minutes quipped that he didn't need a GPS device or any other high tech aid to find his way around in the snow at Falls Creek. Holding said:"I'm happy with my effort today. To be part of the 20th Hoppet at Falls Creek on a crisp, clear day with lots of other people, was terrific." Local skier Esther Bottomley has now clinched first place in the Continental Cup Series by finishing ahead of Anastasia Kuzmina, who represented Slovakia (in Biathlon) at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, in this year's 42km Kangaroo Hoppet. Hot favourite amongst the women was Amy Watson (a distance specialist) who could only manage third place in the elite women's division of the Kangaroo Hoppet.

Valerio Leccardi #13, Alex Almoukov #14, Callum Watson # 16 and Garrot Kuzzy. Pic: Matt Hull

(Updated Friday 27th August 2010)

Amongst the overseas contingent who will participate in this year's marathon-length 42km Kangaroo Hoppet is Russian World Loppet cross-country skier Anatoly Osokin.

He has travelled 3 hours by bus (from his village) to the nearest train station, spent 26 hours on a train to Moscow, then boarded an Emirates flight bound for Melbourne. He then completed the last leg of his journey by coach to Howman's Gap. And he achieved that with little or no grasp of English. That's about the furthest distance the international skiers have travelled to join the hundreds of Australian recreational cross-country skiers who travel to Falls Creek every winter to compete in the Kangaroo Hoppet. About 1,000 entries have been taken from participants (which include Victoria's Minister of Tourism Tim Holding) who will start the three distances, the 42 km Kangaroo Hoppet, 21km Birkebeiner and 7km Joey which Tim Holding has entered) which AGL is sponsoring for the third year. Anastasia Kuzmina, who represented Slovakia (in Biathlon) at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and won gold + silver medal, turns 26 on the same day she's competing in the 20th Hoppet at Falls Creek. Anastasia is one of a group of women which includes Amy Watson an Australian World Cup skier, Mt Beauty-based dual Winter Olympian Esther Bottomley, who is also an Australian National Team member, and Swedish skier Joanna Edin, competing for a podium place. The top spots amongst the men competing in the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet are expected to be taken out by elite Australian team members Ben Sim (who could eclipse the long-standing efforts by Falls Creek-based Ben Derrick who has won four Hoppets), Callum Watson or Chris Darlington. Overseas skiers such as Valerio Leccardi (who was fourth last year) and an American Garrott Kuzzy, who gave Ben Sim some stiff opposition in a longer race last weekend at Falls Creek, is expected to be in contention for a podium spot.