Everything is in place for Australia's premier cross country ski race at Falls Creek this Saturday, with race director Sandra Paul confident the 2025 Kangaroo Hoppet is on track to be one of the best in years.
"Entries were up over 700 last week and we're on target to be upwards of 900," she said, noting plentiful snow throughout all of the season had provided ideal preparations for the event, and helped motivate and provide confidence to race competitors.
"International entrants are down a bit this year, but we will have a strong contingent of elite Australians and expect them to feature on the podium."
Australia's top cross country skiers such as Seve de Campo, Phil Bellingham, and female sensation Rosie Fordham - who this year won a silver medal at the FIS Junior/U23 World Ski Championships - are all expected to perform strongly on the back on solid seasons to date.
The Kangaroo Hoppet remains a unique event, being part of the Worldloppet series of international ski race marathons.
It offers skiers - from beginners to elite racers - the opportunity to head out from the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl and compete on a world class network of groomed trails extending into the Bogong High Plains of Australia’s Alpine National Park.
Skiers can enter the full 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, or enjoy the family-friendly 7km Joey Hoppet.
Ms Paul said female participation in the event was continuing to grow, and stood at around 50 per cent of entries for the Australian Birkebeiner and Joey Hoppet.
She said a couple of new innovations this year included a prize for the fastest person over a 100 metre sprint half way through the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet.
"We are also provided prizes to the male and female skiers in each of the three races who finish in the middle of the field."
Ms Paul said the Kangaroo Hoppet not only remained the pinnacle race event on the Australian cross country calendar, it also has a significant economic impact on the local communities.
"We'll be doing an economic impact study on the event," she said.
Online registrations for the event's races close 4pm this Friday, August 22.
Visit the Hoppet website for entry details and all the info you need at www.hoppet.com.au
