Kangaroo Hoppet organisers to run event on Saturday on altered course, entries now closed

Despite heavy rainfall on Sunday, organisers of the Kangaroo Hoppet are still planning to deliver Australia's premier long-distance cross country ski event at Falls Creek this Saturday. Almost 65mms of rain on Sunday adversely impacted snow cover on areas of the course for the country's annual international ski marathon. Colder conditions on Monday, bringing fresh snowfalls which were forecast to continue into Thursday, hope to help improve conditions. Race secretary Mary Hall said committee members met last week and were meeting last night (Tuesday) to continue to look at all options. "The Hoppet Race Committee (HRS) is planning on running an event this year, however given the heavy rain this past Sunday we need to see what the next weather event does," Ms Hall said on Monday. "It will not be the traditional course, and we are still looking at formats. "The HRC is meeting Tuesday 11 August to narrow down racecourse possibilities. "We will be updating the situation regularly on the website, hoppet.com.au and on social media. "If you have entered, you will receive email updates and a text to your race day mobile number closer to the day. "Please be aware participants maybe required to carry a backpack with their own protective gear (layering for cold weather)." This Saturday is to be the 32nd iteration of the Kangaroo Hoppet, which is run by the Mt Beauty-based Birkenbeiner Ski Club. More than 100 skiers from other countries are expected to join many hundreds of Aussies to compete in the event which is part of the Worldloppet series. Alongside the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, participants can also choose the 21km Australian Birkebeiner or the 7km Joey Hoppet. The event rounds-up a busy fortnight on the cross country calendar at Falls Creek, with the AUS XC Ski National Championships successfully held at the start of the month and the Ski de Femme - attracting more than 200 women - held is superb sunshine last Saturday. For the latest on the Kangaroo Hoppet go to the website hoppet.com.au UPDATE: Events to proceed, altered course, all entries now closed. This update from event organisers was posted at noon Wednesday, 12 August. Unfortunately, the anticipated snow in the past four days was a letdown with 64mm of rain at Falls Creek and snow falling well above the elevation of the resort. On Monday snow levels did drop, and we have received approximately 10-15mm of snow. The Hoppet Race Committee met Tuesday night to narrow down the options for courses for each of the Hoppet distances. All distances will be shortened. The 42km event will be laps within the Falls Creek inner cross-country ski trails. Depending upon what magic the Falls Creek XC groomers can produce in the next couple of days we may be able to include an out and back flat section to extend the lap distance. The Joey Hoppet and Australian Birkebeiner courses will be decided depending upon snow and grooming conditions in the next couple of days. Entries to ALL distances of the Kangaroo Hoppet are now closed. This measure is being undertaken to provide the best and safest event possible. Changes to a longer distance are no longer being accepted. Thank you for your patience and understanding.