July 21, 2011 (Victoria, Australia) – While many people in the Northern Hemisphere are at the beach, the ski racing season in the Southern Hemisphere is kicking off. The FIS Cross-Country Continental Cup will launch it’s competition season on July 23-24  at Falls Creek in conjunction with the Australia-New Zealand Cup (ANC).The ANC cross-country races move to New Zealand for the second stage at the Snow Farm and return to Perisher Valley in late August 2011. The series will conclude at Falls Creek (AUS) on August 27 with one of the first popular races of the season, the Kangaroo Hoppet.

“There has been interest from some international teams and athletes, including Estonia, Switzerland and the USA, however athletes from overseas are more likely to attend the ANC races in August at Perisher Valley, when they can compete there one weekend and in the Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek the following weekend,” says Finn Marsland from Ski & Snowboard Australia.

In addition to the Australia-New Zealand Cup kick off this weekend, Falls Creek will host the Australian Nationals with the classical sprint on Saturday, July 23rd and the distance free technique races the following day.

Last years’ ANC was dominated by local hero Callum Watson who collected 386 points to beat compatriots Ben Sim and Chris Darlington. On the ladies’ side Australia’s Esther Bottomley was the superior athlete with 590 points and edged out her teammates Aimee Watson and Belinda Phillips to take first place.

For all upcoming competitions in the Southern Hemisphere, the athletes can count on good conditions with record cold weather. Falls Creek reported last week excellent snow conditions with 55 km of groomed tracks.