Finlandiahiihto 27.-28.2.2010

There is already 4500 enthuastic cross-country skiers from 25 nations set to participate in the 37th Finlandia-Hiihto, which will take place February 27-28th.

“We aim at having 6000 skiers finishing the Finlandia-Hiihto this year. The legendary Juha Mieto will again be one of the forerunners”, says Matti Haapoja, director of Finlandia-Hiihto.

The winter in Lahti area has been better than in 10 years. It was snowing in Lahti past weekend, which made the chief of course Jukka Lehtinen happy.

“Having that snow is good news for the Finlandia-Hiihto course. So far everything looks good. We will be grooming the trails during the next two weeks, and in two weeks we will start making snow for areas still needing more of it. There will always be some, like the Messilä station area”, says Lehtinen.

Finlandia-Hiihto is part of Vesijärvi project, which aims at recovering the lake. For every skier finishing the event, Finlandia-Hiihto will be giving 0,20 euro for the valuable project. And as Vesijärvi is an extremely important element for the organizing ski clubs from Lahti and Hollola, the project will also be featured at this year’s medal.

FINLANDIA-HIIHTO 2010

START-WAXING SERVICE PRICE LIST

(PAYMENT ONLY IN EUROS)

A. GLIDE WAXING 15,00 €

B. KICK WAXING 10,00 €

C. GRIP TAPE 15,00 €

D. GLIDE AND KICK WAXING 25,00 €

E. GRIP TAPE AND GLIDE WAXING 30,00 €

F. CLEANING 5,00 €

PAYMENT IN ADVANCE.

WAXING PRICES INCLUDE SKI CLIPS.

OPENING HOURS:

THURSDAY 25.2. KLO 13 – 18.00

FRIDAY 26.2. KLO 10 – 20.00

SATURDAY 27.2. KLO 07 – 18.00

SUNDAY 28.2. KLO 08 – 11.00

Finlandia Ski Marathon’s executive committee has decided to take part in the international long race world cup competitions organised by FIS (International Ski Federation).

Finlandia Ski Marathon has not involved in FIS Marathon Cup before. The participating to the competitions will bring master skiers and possibilities of longer TV broadcast at least in Finland, Nordic countries and Europe.

Finlandia Ski Marathon organise competitions for 50km and 32km classic on 28th Feb 2010, 50km free style, 20km for women and under 16 years old junior races on 28th Feb 2010 in Finland.

Timetable for FIS Marathon Cup 2011:

9.1. Jizerska Pedesatka Czech Republic

23.1. Dolomitenlauf Austria

30.1. Marcialonga Italy

13.2. Transjurassienne France

20.2. Tartto marathon Estonia

26.2. Finlandia-hiihto Finlandia

6.3. Vaasahiihto Sweden

13.3. Engadin Skimarathon Switzerland

19.3. Birkebeinerrennet Norway

At the moment there are already 2500 skiers registered to 2010 Finlandia ski marathon. Last year there were 850 registers in the end of October.

The enthusiasm for cross-country skiing shows good rising. Finlandia ski marathon events from 27th February to 28th February 2010 will be the 37th year in Finlandia´s history.

Under the leadership of Jukka Lehtinen Hollolan Urheilijat-46 have done the inspections for the routes and racetrack preparation while waiting for the coming snow.

In spring 2009, both classical and free styles were decided to race in 50 km route. Earlier race was 62 km in classical, has been shortened in recent few years due to lack of snow.

Finlandia ski marathon organizers goal is to have 6000 skiers participating in 2010. Last year 5186 skiers participated to the competitions.

The favourite route again is 50 km which has 1561 skiers registered at the moment. The second favourite route is 50 km free style with 506 skiers registered. 32km classic, 389 registers, 20km for women and under 16 years junior races, 44 registers at the moment.

Finlandia ski marathon is in cooperation with ski halls and ski tunnels in Finland. Registered athletes to Finlandia ski marathon will get discount in entrance tickets to these locations. The ski tunnels are located; Ylläs-hall in Helsinki, Jämin Snow-world in Jämijärvi, Vuokatti skitunnel, Leppävirta, Paimion Finnfoam in Paimio and VahterusRing in Uusikaupunki.

Classical 50 km team competition winn Tampereen Pyrintö time 9:41:59 (Karjaluoto Heikki, Peltonen Antti, Vähä-Ypyä Henri and Sihvola Juho). Second was V02 tiimi time 9:43:21 and third Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo time 9:57:24.
Free 50 km team competition winn Moroz Ski Team time 9:27:01 (Dorin Dmitry, Barkalov Andrey, Reznik Valeriy and Polyanskiy Andrey.) Second 9:43:25 Suvituulitiimi Turku and third Icecapital time 10:02:21.
Congratulations to the winners !

Niklas Colliander is the winner of 36. Finlandia Ski Marathon. Thomas Ramstedt and Antti Lampinen took next places at the podium. Last years winner Kari Varis was fifth this year.

Fastest woman in 50 km race was Outi Gröndahl.