The Snow Farm will be bedecked in international flags for the 27th Merino Muster cross country ski race on September 3.

The Merino Muster is one of 16 races in the international Worldloppet series, and for the first time in its history the race will be covered by television news following heightened interest after a successful northern hemisphere season for local biathlete Campbell Wright.

“There will be a contingent of overseas competitors at the event now the New Zealand borders have opened, after a three year absence,” Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust trustee John Burridge told the Wānaka App.

John said the USA team is back training at the Snow Farm, including USA Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins.

The Merino Muster combines five races: The prestigious 42km Merino Muster, 21km Snow Rake, 14km Double Fleece (which is new this season), the 7km Straggle Muster, and the 1km Mini Muster for the under 10s.

Regular Muster participant Steve Gurney at the 2021 event.

“Our oldest skier so far has been a 90-year-old in the 21km Snow Rake. Our youngest, a five-year-old in the Mini Muster (a chance for a four-year-old to make history),” John said.

While those taking part in the event include international athletes, local skiers, and juniors preparing to join Campbell Wright at the Olympics one day, a unique group is older international skiers ticking off the Merino Muster as part of their quest for Worldloppet Master status, John said,

“There are a number of categories but skiing all 16 [Worldloppet events] is the main aim and some undertake that several times over and are regular visitors to New Zealand. 

“They have special identifying race bibs and we hold a welcoming dinner to acknowledge their special status.”

John said a small number of New Zealanders are Worldloppet Masters.

The Snow Farm also hosted the National Cross Country Skiing Championships on Saturday (August 20), which took place in bluebird conditions and attracted a good field of entries.

The winner of the men’s open event (10km freestyle) was Campbell Wright (33:33), second was Franz Mayer (35:47), and third was Snow Farm Biathlon coach Jason Sklenar (41:26).

Sonja Muller won the women’s open event (10km freestyle) with 45:21, and Charlie Sklenar (58:15) was second.

Find more information about the Merino Muster here.

PHOTOS: Supplied