Historical information

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events.

The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains.

After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet.

In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience.

In 2016 the Men's Winner was Matthew Gelso from USA in a time of 1:53:23.1. The winner of the Women's event was Deedra Irwin of USA in a time of 2:08:15.6.

Significance

This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.

Physical description

A poster featuring two skiers crossing gentle slopes passing a tree on the right. There is a line of international flags flying overhead and the outline of two kangaroos in the distance. Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, Victorian State Government, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and FIS are across the bottom of the poster.

Inscriptions & markings

Beside Kangaroo Hoppet yellow and black Road sign: KANGAROO HOPPET 26
27 August 2016 42 km 21 km 7 km
Falls Creek Victoria Australia
Below the logos: www.hoppet.com.au