Historical Decision – WL Opens to Include Associated Races
During its Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Worldloppet assembly took the historic decision to to open up for smaller long distance races all over the world. Races which are not able to fulfill the minimum requirements to become a full Worldloppet member will now have the possibility to become an associated Worldloppet member. This allows them to learn from the best long distance races in the world at the same time as sharing their own special knowledge and experience. The races will receive the right to join the AGM, however without having voting rights. They will also be able to stamp the Worldloppet passports for Gold and Silver Masters.

At the moment, the following races have voiced their interest to become an associated member:

• Marcha Blanca & Ushaia Loppet (ARG)
• Merino Muster (NZL)
• Vasaloppet China (CHN)
• Fossavatn (ISL)

For the first time, smaller long distance ski races can now apply to become an associated Worldloppet member. However, Worldloppet will stay with its intent to only include one race, normally the biggest and best, per nation. “This is a big step ahead alongside our slogan “Worldloppet – The World of Marathon Skiing”! I am very happy that the AGM decided to take this road and to open the door for smaller races which do not (yet) have the level of becoming a full member of the Worldloppet Ski Federation. For the moment, we have the application of four very interesting races, but I am sure that several others will follow during the next years.” says Angelo Corradini, Worldloppet’s Secretary General.

Further AGM Discussions
During the two days, packed with meetings and group workshops, the delegates of the 16 Worldloppet member races also discussed several other topics. One of them was the question of finding new sponsors and partners for the federation. There shall be a possibility in the future for interested companies to become the naming and presenting sponsor of the FIS Marathon Cup.

In smaller groups, the topics “media”, “FIS Marathon Cup”, “finances” and “seeding” were discussed and the outcomes presented to the full auditorium afterwards. The concept of working groups was used for the first time during an AGM and was strongly embraced by everyone as a great tool for exchanging experiences even better and for using this new knowledge in favour for one’s own race.

 After the successful season 2012-13, during which a 3min news highlight of most FIS Marathon Cup races was distributed through EBU to all its member stations, the cup will now go into its second phase by producing a 26min highlight from each race ready straight after the race. But for now it is not yet clear who will be distributing this feed as two companies, EBU and Infront, are highly interested in the product. “Of course we are very happy that there is such a big interest in the FIS Marathon Cup!” says Angelo Corradini, the Secretary General of the Worldloppet Ski Federation. “We will now have discussions with both parties in order to find the best solution to promote Worldloppert and long distance skiing meaning cross country skiing in the whole. The positive results of last year’s first approach towards a TV coverage of the whole cup has shown that there is a high demand.”

The new Worldloppet & FIS Marathon Cup race calendar
The AGM was also approving the new calendar for all Worldloppet races as well as for the FIS Marathon Cup. The dates are the following:

Worldloppet main races 2013/2014 – Valid for recognition as a Worldloppet Gold Master

Date		Race name	Distance	Techn	Country
24.08.13	KANGAROO HOPPET	42 Km	FT	AUS
12.01.14	JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA	50 Km	CT	CZE
18.01.14	AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Open Track	50 Km	FT	USA
18.01.14	DOLOMITENLAUF: Classic Race	42 Km	CT	AUT
19.01.14	DOLOMITENLAUF	60 Km	FT	AUT
26.01.14	MARCIALONGA: Main	70 Km	CT	ITA
01.02.14	KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF	50 Km	FT	GER
02.02.14	KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF	50 Km	CT	GER
02.02.14	SAPPORO INT. SKI MARATHON: Main	50 Km	FT	JPN
08.02.14	LA TRANSJURASSIENNE	50 Km	CT	FRA
09.02.14	LA TRANSJURASSIENNE *	57 Km	FT	FRA
09.02.14	LA TRANSJURASSIENNE	76 Km	FT	FRA
09.02.14	TARTU MARATON: Open Track	63 Km	FT	EST
15.02.14	GATINEAU LOPPET	51 Km	CT	CAN
16.02.14	GATINEAU LOPPET	51 Km	FT	CAN
16.02.14	TARTU MARATON	63 Km	CT	EST
22.02.14	AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Main CT	54 Km	CT	USA
22.02.14	AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Main	50 Km	FT	USA
22.02.14	FINLANDIA- HIIHTO	50 Km	CT	FIN
23.02.14	FINLANDIA- HIIHTO	50 Km	FT	FIN
23.02.14	VASALOPPET: Oppet Spar	90 Km	CT	SWE
24.02.14	VASALOPPET: Oppet Spar	90 Km	CT	SWE
01.03.14	BIEG PIASTOW: Main	50 Km	CT	POL
02.03.14	VASALOPPET	90 Km	CT	SWE
09.03.14	ENGADIN SKIMARATHON	42 Km	FT	SUI
14.03.14	BIRKEBEINERRENNET: FredagsBirken	54 Km	CT	NOR
15.03.14	BIRKEBEINERRENNET: Main	54 Km	CT	NOR
15.03.14	DEMINO SKI MARATHON: Main	50 Km	FT	RUS

Worldloppet short races 2013/2014 – Valid for recognition as a Worldloppet Silver Master

Date	Race name	Distance	Techn	Country
25.08.13	KANGAROO HOPPET: Austr. Birke	21 Km	FT	AUS
10.01.14	JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA: Bedrichovska	30 Km	FT	CZE
11.01.14	JIZERSKÁ PADESATKA: Jizerska 25	25 Km	CT	CZE
18.01.14	AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Open Track	25 Km	FT	USA
18.01.14	DOLOMITENLAUF: Classic Race	20 Km	FT	AUT
19.01.14	DOLOMITENLAUF: Lienz Lauf	25 Km	FT	AUT
23.01.14	MARCIALONGA: Lavazèloppet	22 Km	CT	ITA
26.01.14	MARCIALONGA: Light	45 Km	CT	ITA
01.02.14	KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: short	23 Km	FT	GER
02.02.14	KÖNIG LUDWIG LAUF: short	23 Km	CT	GER
02.02.14	SAPPORO INT. SKI MARATHON: Short	25 Km	FT	JPN
08.02.14	LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: Transju	25 Km	CT	FRA
09.02.14	LA TRANSJURASSIENNE: Transju	25 Km	FT	FRA
09.02.14	TARTU MARATON: Open Track	31 Km	FT	EST
15.02.14	GATINEAU LOPPET	31 Km	FT	CAN
16.02.14	GATINEAU LOPPET	31 Km	CT	CAN
16.02.14	TARTU MARATON	31 Km	CT	EST
21.02.14	VASALOPPET: KortVasan	30 Km	CT	SWE
22.02.14	AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER: Korteloppet	23 Km	FT	USA
22.02.14	FINLANDIA- HIIHTO	32 Km	CT	FIN
22.02.14	VASALOPPET: TjejVasan *	30 Km	CT	SWE
23.02.14	FINLANDIA- HIIHTO	20 Km	FT	FIN
25.02.14	VASALOPPET: HalvVasan	45 Km	CT	SWE
02.03.14	BIEG PIASTOW: Short CT	26 Km	CT	POL
02.03.14	BIEG PIASTOW: Short FT	30 Km	FT	POL
02.03.14	ENGADIN SKIMARATHON: Frauenlauf	17 Km	FT	SUI
08.03.14	BIRKEBEINERRENNET: Inga Laami *	15/30 Km	CT	NOR
09.03.14	BIRKEBEINERRENNET: HalvBirken	28 Km	CT	NOR
09.03.14	ENGADIN SKIMARATHON: Halbmarathon	21 Km	FT	SUI
16.03.14	DEMINO SKI MARATHON: Short	25 Km	CT	RUS

FIS Marathon Cup

15.12.2013	FT	La Sgambeda	42 km	ITA
12.01.2014	CT	Jizerská padesátka	50 km	CZE
19.01.2014	FT	Dolomitenlauf	60 km	AUT
26.01.2014	CT	Marcialonga	70 km	ITA
09.02.2014	FT	La Transjurassienne	54/76 km	FRA
16.02.2014	CT	Tartu Maraton	63 km	EST
22.02.2014	FT	American Birkebeiner	50 km	USA
01.03.2014	CT	Bieg Piastow	50 km	POL
09.03.2014	FT	Engadin Skimarathon	42 km	SUI

• August 25: Kangaroo Hoppet (AUS), 42km FT

Please note that many of the Worldloppet races have summer events in mountainbiking, road cycling, running, trail running, rollerskiing and / or inline skating. For more information, please have a look on the respective race’s web page.

•  October 16: Executive Commitee Meeting during the Forum Nordicum in Portoroz / Ankaran (SLO)

• December 15: La Sgambeda, 42km FT, First FIS Marathon Cup of the season 2013/14

 Worldloppet – The World of Marathon Skiing!!!