Spring break was everything but a break from working.
But when “working” equates to rubbing shoulders with the big names on the cross-country skiing World Cup circuit, I must admit that I too could become a workaholic faster than the time that anyone can finish a 50-kilometer race course, which takes the better part of two-and-a-half hours.
The 50-kilometer race in Oslo’s Holmenkollen, Norway, is quite an institution in the world of cross-country skiing, known to the racers as one of the most grueling courses on the World Cup circuit.
However, even with fog thicker than split pea soup and temperatures far below what most consider suitable for outdoor activities, upwards of 30,000 ecstatic Norwegians attended. The supporters were clad in knickers and anoraks and were sporting various head gear that ranged from Viking helmets to mink furs and the more traditional knitted woolen hats.
These fans were scattered all along the course to cheer on their townsmen and village boys with cow bells, chants and self-made noise composers. The skiers say that they catch an extra high when they hear the crowd and that it carries them through to the finish.
Once the skiers reach the end, some of them collapse from exhaustion and bury their snot-, tear- and sweat-laced faces in the snow.
And it is where these exhausted racers collapse that the reporters and photographers have free access to stuff microphones and lenses into their faces, asking for comments but mostly receiving grunts at best.
We, meaning the working media, love this new stadium built before the 2000 season.
There is a remote-control television camera that runs along the last 200 yards up to the finish line. It’s set about six inches off the ground — the right height to capture the facial expression of the winners as they cross.
This year, Sweden Per Elofsson had his gritty face strewn all over the front pages for a few days. At the tender age of 23, he is the youngest skier to win the 50-kilometer in ‘Kollen.
The only American to start the competition was Justin Wadsworth of Bend, who pulled out of the 50-kilometer race somewhere around the 13-kilometer mark after feeling the effects of a month on the road and a nagging stomachache.
The entire world’s cross-country elite was present: Sweden, Norway, Russia, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, France, Spain and Japan, to mention a few.
Along with the teams came heaps of TV production vehicles — 19 buses from a Norwegian television channel alone. There was also press from all odd corners of the world.
My biggest concern as a part of the working media was getting through the media security. With a press pass reading, “The Bend Bulletin,” my credibility and legitimacy were not immediately established.
“The Bend what?” “And is that your camera? Do you not have more than two lenses?” Those were a few of the repeated responses I received from a security guy who looked like he probably lived in Gold’s Gym.
So, you might wonder, people actually pay good money to come see such unsightly stuff? Well, not exactly.
In Oslo, the local government supports cross-country skiing in full force. It has volunteers prepare tent spots, fill depots with firewood and provide garbage bags, all free of charge to the supporters who choose to camp out overnight to catch a glimpse of their heroes as they ski by them the next morning.
That said, for those choosing the more upscale stadium options, tickets are available at the scene for less than $10 and nobody will be turned away. The more the merrier. People just bring lots of hot chocolate and plenty of wool socks, as heaters are not available.
But there is more in store on this recent foggy Saturday than just a 50-kilometer race. Equally well-known and grueling is the women’s 30-kilometer race. High expectations for hometown hero Bente Skari, 28, were crushed as she finished second behind Russian veteran Larissa Lazutina, who has raced for more than a decade and took her win in stride (no face plant for her).
Top American placers were Nina Kemppel in 22nd place and Wendy Wagner in 23rd. Canadian Beckie Scott finished in 16th place.
All in all, it was an experience I won’t soon forget.