Birken Festival also forced to cancel the events

As already happened for the previous weekend in Switzerland, where the 52nd edition of the Engadin Ski Marathon could not take place to prevent the diffusion of CoronaVirus, now it is the Norwegian race Bikebeinerrennet's turn to shut down the event. As per Norwegian authorities indications, all events involving more than 500 people gathering in one place are now allowed to take place. 

«We very much regret having to cancel the Birken Skifestival after all, but the health of our participants, our volunteers, and the general population comes first» explains Eirik Torbjørnsen, CEO Birken.

Looking in the future of Worldloppet races, only Fossavatnsgangan is ahead to close the current particular ski season. For all those who wonder if it will take place or not, the OC commented today on their Social media platforms: 

"We´re on full speed organizing the event, making this skiing marathon memorable for our visitors.
For the past few days we have received numerous questions regarding the prospects of staging this year‘s version of Fossavatnsgangan, given the situation with COVID 19. Our main duty is to safeguard the health and well-being of all our skiers and our staff. Therefore we obey all orders and recommoendations from the national and local health authorities. The situation right now allows us to proceed with our preparation work for the race as normal. Should there be any changes, an announcement will be made immediate"

About the past Worldloppet races...American Birkebeiner and the intense Birkie Fever!

Hayward, Wisconsin (USA) -  Over 13.500 kiers from 27 countries & 47 States competed in the 46 th annual race and the many side events in the weekend from 20th to 23rd February 2020. A perfect day for spectators and volunteers alike. Thousands of spectators lined Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street, ringing cowbells, eating brats, celebrating with friends, and watching the international kaleidoscope of colors as skiers passed by - bringing to live the essence of what is called the "Birkie Fever" , as explained in Episode 4 of Ski Planet.

Niklas Dyrhaug, Trondheim, Norway, and Jessica Yeaton, Albuquerque, New Mexico, former Australian National Team member, were the first elite skiers to cross the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street, in the men’s and women’s skate/freestyle race. 

And for those who are already looking forward to the next edition, the 47 th Annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner week of festivities is slated for February 25-27, 2021.

Official registration for the 2021 race opens on May 1, 2020.

Winter wonderland of Gatineau Loppet

Gatineau (CAN) -  More than 1,100 skiers and snowshoers took part in the closing day the Gatineau Loppet on an unseasonably warm February morning, making the event’s 42nd edition the largest in more than a decade with more than 2,500 participants competing in the two-day event. 

The closing day saw Robin Duvillard of France, a bronze medalist in Sochi, win the 50km freestyle in 2 hours 10 minutes. Canadian Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt of Morin Heights, Quebec took first place in the women’s race, in 2 hours 31 minutes and 44 seconds. 

Organizers were thrilled with the participation numbers, ski conditions and level of competition. 

“2020 has been a banner year for the Loppet with a record number of participants confirming the growing enthusiasm for the sport of cross-country skiing. The perfect ski conditions, and the amazing support from our volunteers and partners, certainly contributed to making this a tremendously successful weekend”  Jean-François Rochefort, President of the Board of Directors of the Gatineau Loppet

At the weekend was present also the Canadian Champion and Olympic skier Alex Harvey that was nominated Honorary President of Gatineau Loppet for 2020 - his interview in the Ski Planet Episode 3.