Preparations are well underway for the 25th staging of the Kangaroo Hoppet in Falls Creek, Australia on 22 August.

Great snowfalls and unseasonably low temperatures have provided perfect conditions for track preparation and the full course is now prepared and open for training.

Over 1,000 participants from 24 countries are expected for the anniversary issue of the event this year.

“25 years is a wonderful achievement for the event”, said Kangaroo Hoppet Chair Allan Marsland. “There are so many fantastic memories that have been created by people from around the world that we hope will continue for many years to come”.

Valerio Leccardi from Switzerland will try to retain his title as last year’s winner but will have fierce opposition from locals Phil Bellingham and Callum Watson and international athletes Riccardi Mich (ITA), Eric Stovall (FIN) and Kein Einaste (EST). The women’s event will be strongly contested by Barbara Jezersek (SLO), 2012 winner Maria Graefnings (SWE), Lauren Fritz (US) and local athletes Esther Bottomley and Casey Wright.

Source: fis-ski.com