The Merino Muster - the Snow Farm’s annual Worldloppet International cross country race - welcomed international visitors, including a large contingent of Australians, with a bluebird day on Saturday (August 31).

Merino Muster race director John Burridge told the Wānaka App last week’s weather caused “nothing short of a nightmare” for race organisers and Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee undertook 15 hours of non-stop grooming to prepare the course throughout Friday evening and the early hours of Saturday.

By 8am on Saturday, “conditions were fast and with the sun shining, the fresh snow and such an international starting field - what could have been a better day to ski the Muster?” Merino Muster co-organiser Mary Lee told Wordloppet.

USA’s Julia Kern (second) and Jessie Diggins (first) with third place getter Katerina Paul (Australia). PHOTO: Worldloppet

The Merino Muster is one of 20 races in the international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons, and combines five events: The prestigious 42km Merino Muster, 21km Snow Rake, 14km Double Fleece, the 7km Straggle Muster, and the 1km Mini Muster for the under 10s.

USA’s Olympic gold medal winner Jessie Diggins, who has been training at the Snow Farm, won the women’s race (for the sixth time) with a time of 1:52:49.31; her teammate Julia Kern was second (1:55:41.53), with third place to Australia’s Katerina Paul (2:13:39.20).

The fastest skier overall was Akito Watabe from Japan (1:51:29) competing in his first marathon length race. Second place went to his younger brother Yoshito Watabe with a time of 1:59:02. Ian Hardenbergh (USA) claimed third place five seconds later.

Among the 200 skiers competing on the day were plenty of talented locals, including students.

Yoshito Watabe of Japan (second), winner Akito Watabe (Japan) and third place getter Ian Hardenbergh (USA). PHOTO: Worldloppet

Hāwea’s Lewis Briscall (16) won the 21km Snow Rake with a time of 53:28:95. Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) student Baxter Pollard (18) placed second two minutes later (55:37: 89), and third was MAC student Lulu Pettit (also 18) at 1:01:01:30.

Wānaka Biathlon coach Jason Sklenar had skied out on Saturday morning to ensure some missing course marking was put in place, meaning he started his 21km race 30 minutes late - but he still managed to turn in an age group winning time.

The 14km Double Fleece was won by MAC student Daniel Wright (18) with a time of 35:18:17; second was Australia's Samuel Fulweiler (38:44:67), and third was MAC student Billy Dean (12) with 39:37:67.

The Straggle Muster was won by Japan’s Nozomi Maruyama (21:43:77); second was nine-year-old Meritt Graham of Lake Hāwea (21:54:61); and third was MAC student Jordan Joachim (15), with a time of 24:49:67.

MAC also won the school’s trophy, with team MAC Attack confirming MAC’s place as New Zealand’s top cross country skiing school.

Finally, the USA team and Snow Farm staff supported the under 10s Mini Merino race, dressing up and skiing with the youngsters around the 1km course.

After the event, long time Snow Farm staffer Alice Moran, who completed the 42km Muster, was awarded her Worldloppet Masters certificate, acknowledging her completion of 10 Worldloppet marathons. 

Alice is New Zealand’s first female Worldloppet Master. 

PHOTOS: Worldloppet