While the grown-ups were setting records at the annual Vasaloppet ski race in Sweden on Sunday, thousands of children were taking part in races of their own at Holmenkollen in Oslo. And all of them came away as winners.
Local ski association Skiforeningen organized its annual, festive competition for children aged four to 12, plus the three-year-olds who have taken part in the association’s ski school this past winter. Races are held in four categories and open to all those whose parents or supporters have paid the Holmenkolldag entry fee, from the so-called Harepus (Bunny Rabbit) race for the youngest children, at just 250 meters long, to the Lang elg (Tall moose) race for the oldest children, at 3.5 kilometers (about two miles).
Everyone who crosses the finish line gets a medal, along with a backpack filled with various treats for the children.
Skiforeningen has organized the annual children’s competition for years, usually either just before or just after the annual World Cup Nordic event (also known as Holmenkollrennene in Norwegian) that climaxes with ski jumping off Holmenkollen (external link). That major event begins later this week, with thousands of spectators expected to trek up to the jump and arena areas next weekend. The ski jumping is scheduled for Sunday. Organizers were hoping ticket sales would raise around NOK 12 million.
Views and News staff
