Despite Covid-19 alert level restrictions forcing the cancellation of the Snow Farm’s annual Merino Muster, organisers designed an alternative event which allowed local skiers to enjoy a fun day for the skifield’s closing weekend.

The Merino Muster is a cross country ski event similar to a city marathon where elite skiers compete alongside recreational skiers. The event is part of the worldwide Loppet series.

At the Merino Muster Celebration on Saturday (September 18) more than one hundred local skiers completed the distance of their choice: 7km, 14km, 21km, or a one kilometre event for the under 10s. There were also prizes for the best fancy dress and the best mask.

Campbell Wright (who will soon travel to Italy to train in the Dolomites for the Biathlon world cup season) blitzed the 21km Men’s event; Jason Sklenar from Wānaka was in second place and Jason MacDonald from Dunedin was third. 

Rachel Brown, who came third in the women’s 21km event.

The 21km Women’s event was won by Sonja Mueller from Dunedin, with Mount Aspiring College student Olivia Jones second, and Hāwea’s Rachel Brown third.

Steve Malushnig of Hāwea, dressed in traditional Austrian attire, won the Men’s 14km race, with David O’Sullivan second and Ian McNabb third. The Women’s 14km winner was Kathy Deacon of Invercargill, with Marie Cramp second and Sara Waters third. 

Baxter Pollard of Wānaka skied strongly to win the Men’s 7km event, with Oisin Corbett second and Jack Wyeth third. The Women’s 7km event was won by Hana Jones of Wānaka, with Elli Kiuru second and Delwyn Moller third.

Multisport legend Steve Gurney mooved quickly during the race.

There was loud cheering for the Mini Merinos Under 10s race, held after the main races, making it a highlight of the day.

Notable dress ups were multi-sport legend Steve Gurney, who dressed as a cow and mooed his way around the course, a very scary masked Rachel Brown, and duo Helen and Karen (who each year design new costumes) sparkling with tinsel hats. Children dressed as superheroes and pirates.

Organisers said the event was “back to the old days” with registration on the day and no entry fees.

The event’s usual merino lamb dinner and prize-giving were replaced by a BBQ on the snow and a social atmosphere for the small crowd of enthusiasts.

Medals and a commemorative stuffed sheep were awarded to all finishers. The Snow Farm’s cuddly sheep family, which introduces a new member each year, this year welcomed the ‘Captain Cam’ to the fold. Captain Cam was named after Cameron Newman, a staunch Snow Farm volunteer for many years, who sadly died last year. 

PHOTOS: Garrick Cameron