This is the number of people registered to participate in all of this week's ski events in Mora as part of the Vasaloppet. More than half of these people will ski 90 km (54 miles). I find this participation statistic to be completely amazing...so many skiers (skiing so far)! I am especially interested in this number given my interest in the borderland between sport and outdoor recreation...
Anyhow, I am one of the thousands. So while it sounds impressive to myself to say I skied 90 km, I am simply a part of the many here. But honestly, it does feel like an accomplishment. I was worried about not 'training' enough and not skiing fast enough for a while...but once I got over any idea of a 'race' and reminded myself that I have enough lifetime ski miles in me to do this...then it was no question, it seemed so 'Swedish' to participate. What would any Nordic-oriented, winter-lover like myself do? SKI! The first 30 km was a slow moving ski mass, literally thousands of people moving very slowly...but once the group spread out, the ski was lovely (albeit a bit painful at times--like the last 10 km!)...over small lakes and through spruce bogs, but mostly a winding forest trail in a snow wonderland. Could Sweden be anymore beautiful than it is this winter?
Ulrik prepped my skis with expert precision--the wax was good for the entire 90 km! Just a note about waxing, it seems to be be the biggest business in the Mora area with thousands of people paying over 100 USD to have their skis prepped for the event...waxing has become a high tech science or a fine art (depending upon perspective). Maggan and Ulrik were my support crew...I couldn't have asked for a better team to take care of me. I would have spent the day trying to keep up with Ulrik, but unfortunately a back problem kept him off of the trail...Next time I think that Ulrik, Maggan, Tobias, Kerry and Amelia should ski it with me!!!
I FORGOT my camera. However, Maggan took a lot of pictures--some of which I will post when I get them from her. In the meantime, here is a ski photo of a favorite skier of mine, Amelia! Amelia with friends at the end of the the recently held Birkie--a 50 km Skate ski event!!!
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