The Kangaroo Hoppet is a long distance
cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a m ...
race in Australia. It is held annually in
Falls Creek, Victoria, on the fourth Saturday of August. The race debuted in 1979 and became part of
Worldloppet in 1991.
The event consists of three races:
* The Kangaroo Hoppet – a 42 km race which, for the purposes of the Worldloppet, counts as a main race;
* The Australian Birkebeiner – a 21 km race which, for the purposes of Worldloppet, counts as a short race;
* The Joey Hoppet – a 7 km race which does not count as either a main race or a short race.
History
The Kangaroo Hoppet has its origins in the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club's 21 km Australian Birkebeiner, first held in 1979 in Falls Creek. The race was based on the original Norwegian Birkebeiner. In 1989, the organisation extended the race to a 42 km race and added the 21 km race and 7 km race (originally known as the Birkebeiner Lite). The Worldloppet was then petitioned in 1990 to allow a race in the southern hemisphere, and as part of its petition the race format was changed to a freestyle event. The first race as part of the Worldloppet circuit was held in 1991.
In 2024, the Kangaroo Hoppet joined
Ski Classics
Ski Classics is a series of long-distance cross-country ski races in classic style that has been held since 2011. In season XII, 2021–2022, the circuit included 15 events, in a professional tour for the 35 Pro Teams involved. From 2015 to 2022, ...
as part of their Challenger series of cross country races, although the race itself was cancelled a few days before it was due to take place.
Cancelled events
The race has been cancelled four times in recent years.
*2020: Cancelled due to
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
(Virtual Event only).
*2021: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic (Virtual Event only).
*2023: Cancelled due to lack of snow.
*2024: Cancelled due to lack of snow.
Winners
Men
Women
References
External links
Kangaroo Hoppet web site
{{Worldloppet
Cross-country skiing competitions
Skiing in Australia
August in sports
1979 establishments in Australia
Recurring sporting events established in 1979
Sports competitions in Victoria (state)
Ski marathons