Valter Nutti is one of 500-600 skiers who this spring are expected to compete in the Nordenskiöldsloppet, the world’s longest ski race, 22 km, which is organized in the municipality of Jokkmokk.
His focus now is training, skiing long distances and getting his stomach used to eating often and little while skiing. The plan is to run 8-9 mile sessions once a week later this winter.
– You probably have to be a bit crazy to do this, but I thought that when I’m training for the Vasaloppet, I’ll also ride the Nordenskiöldsloppet, it will be a challenge for me. I think I’ll go a little slower to make it to the finish line, it’s almost a day’s skiing, says Valter Nutti, who trains in the tracks around Kiruna.
Included in the Ski Classic Challenger
The Nordenskiöldsloppet has been part of the Ski Classic Challenger since last fall, and starting this spring, the fastest skiers get points. The Ski Classic Challenger is a global tour with around 20 competitions spread all over the world and the Nordenskiöldsloppet is the northernmost of them.
– Being part of the Ski Classics is a status increase for the competition, to the extent that we become part of an international ski circus that runs every weekend from December 13 until a bit into April. This means we reach all skiers in the whole world, says Göran Hedemalm, chairman of the Nordenskiöldsloppet.
Challenges to solve
But there are a lot of challenges for the organizer that need to be solved. The big challenge is the accommodation issue, according to Hedemalm. Jokkmokk must be able to accommodate everyone, each skier also has a few people with them, so there may be around 1,500 people who need accommodation, but many private individuals have signed up to receive skiers.
– The course is a challenge in itself, it is 22 kilometers long and you can never be fooled by the weather. There may be fresh snow the day before the competition as it did last year and then it will be a challenge, if there is bad ice then it is another challenge, explains Göran Hedemalm.
Valter Nutti feels good that the ski competition is now part of the Ski Classic Challenger, and he believes that the level of the entire competition will be raised and that the ski tracks will be better. The goal for himself is to finish within the performance medal time of 21 hours and 22 minutes.
Will you bring your fan club with you?
– I don’t know… perhaps! Valter laughs.