McCall, Idaho— The Swiss-based World Masters Association announced today that its annual Masters World Cup event, sponsored by Blackhawk on the River and held in McCall, Idaho March 1-7, 2008, has more than doubled its average for registrations, breaking previous records with over 1,200 expected participants from across the globe. The Masters World Cup 2008 marks its first visit ever to the western United States, and returns to the United States for the first time in a decade (last U.S.-hosted event was Lake Placid, NY in 1998).
“We’re proud to host an event with such international presence here in Idaho’s backyard and are very excited to witness an unprecedented turnout for the World Masters Cup,” said Sima Muroff, principal of Blackhawk Partners, LLC, developer of Blackhawk on the River in McCall, Idaho. “We’ve always believed our local ski areas rival the best on the planet and clearly the word is out about the exhilarating skiing conditions in McCall, Idaho.”
Drawing an average of 1,000 competitors and up to an additional 1,000 spectators every year, the Masters World Cup travels to a different location and nation each year. Three individual races plus national team relays are held with skiers grouped in five year age/gender categories for all individual races. Skiers annually range in ability from former Olympic and World Championship medalists to beginner/intermediate masters with no competitive backgrounds.
Although a number of the early USA entries include likely medal-contenders, J.D. Downing, U.S.A. National Director to the World Masters Association, stresses that the vast majority of MWC2008 participants from North America will be average skiers simply taking advantage of a unique chance to ski in an international event on “home” snow.
“There are always a few former Olympians and ‘elite’ master skiers in the various age groups, but the overwhelming majority of folks at the Masters World Cup are people that have no interest in medals. They take part because the event is an incredibly fun opportunity to ski just with your 5-year age group peers in a serious of wave starts on courses perfectly designed for master skiers. There’s a week-long series of ceremonies, social gatherings, plus loads of non-racing kilometers of trails in the McCall area to enjoy on the ‘off’ days. The MWC2008 really is going to be the perfect ski vacation.”
Current registrations already have earned the MWC2008 the distinction of fielding the largest USA contingent ever to take part in a Masters World Cup. USA registration already spans more than 22 states with skiers ranging in age from the minimum 30 years to the first-ever USA skier in the M13 category — 90 years young! Beyond the strong USA turnout, an additional dozen nations have confirmed registrations.
For skiers interested in logging more kilometers than on race day, numerous nearby trail systems surround the McCall city center offering up to 100 kilometers of additional XC options within a 5-30 minute drive. The MWC2008 Organizing Committee will offer daily shuttles (separate fees may apply) to other ski locations for skiers without access to a vehicle while in McCall.
On March 4th –a day that is scheduled to be a hiatus in the competition—Blackhawk will host a “rest day” and open house for participants and spectators. The public is invited to enjoy 12 Kilometers of private Nordic trails located on Blackhawk property. Blackhawk will also be hosting a blog on their website (www.blackhawkontheriver.com) that will include an event “scrapbook.”
- Reprinted from The Idaho Statesman 2/26/08.
