Nine out of ten Worldloppet ski races completed, one more to go to qualify for a gold medal and the title of Worldloppet master.  Only the Australian Kangaroo Hoppet, the Sapporo International Ski Marathon and the Vasaloppet races are left for me to ski.  Time and money rule out the first two and the Vasa is something of a holy grail in the ski world so that's always been a long term goal of mine.  Sweden it is then.

What's a loppet?

For those new to nordic ski-ing, Worldloppet is an international federation of cross country ski marathons comprising 14 races across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.  You need no qualifications or racing status to enter, simply a belief that you can complete the course in the time available plus the entry fee.

Decision time

October in London and it's time to turn this idea into reality.  After spending most of the summer in Greece where I swam daily, ran occasionally and nordic walked regularly, I feel fairly fit but not fit enough, and travel, logistics and race entry are all to be sorted.  Registering for these races early means lower entry fees and 31st October is the next key date for the Vasa.

I open the competition web page, the Latest News section catches my eye 'Vasaloppet is full!'  15,847 skiers have already signed up!  They can't have, it's too early & other dumb thoughts race through my brain.  Is anyone selling tickets on the trading starting places section of the website - of course not, but a handful of people are also desperately seeking places.  I curse and mentally kick myself ... so are there any other options?  The Halv Vasan fits in time wise but is 45km and won't count towards my gold medal, but there is the Oppet Spar on two dates, 24 and 25 February.

The next step

'90km - but no stress, no competition'  is how the Oppet Spar is billed and I'm not quite sure what this means.  I read on, 'the same distance as the Vasaloppet itself, the same challenge and adventure, but without competitive stress'.  Well I was hardly likely to be battling it out with the frontrunners so there's an attractive logic here.   And the date would just give me time to get from Norway where I'm leading cross country ski holidays for Exodus next season.  I join more than 3,700 people and sign up, 90km will be impressive whatever the label. 

Equally I remember Paddy Field, FIS Technical Delegate and co-author of Stride and Glide , saying this was a good option, you got all the pluses of the Vasa without the aggression and queues.  So if you've failed to get the place you wanted, come and join me, we'll find out.