Issue Nr. 1 March 2006 - NATO School

König Ludwig Lauf 2006
By SM Sjon Selles, PAO
For the 34 th time one of the biggest cross country ski
race in the Southern German region was organized: the
König Ludwig Lauf. Traditionally this race is organized
every first weekend in February each year (weather
permitting). In 2006 more than 4,200 people (new
record!) from more than 30 nations participated in four
disciplines and there was a separate race for the
children.
The disciplines you could start in were:
- 50 km classic style
- 23 km classic style
- 50 km free style (skating)
- 23 km free style (skating)
There was also a team from the NATO School which
participated. Most of the participants started in the 23
km classic style. I have asked some participants about
the race and here are some of their reactions (in no
particular order):
Wg Cdr Tim Payne
(23 km classic style in 2 hr 17 min 57sec)
Why did you participate in this race?
I’m a firm believer that life is measured in achievements
not in years alone and that you should grab those
opportunities as they become available – this was one
of those opportunities.
How did you prepare yourself for the race?
I turned to x-country skiing simply because for nearly
five months of the year one is unable to run along the
tracks and x-country skiing is the most viable alternative
for keeping fit – I have only been x-country skiing since
my arrival at the NATO School and enjoy the
excitement and competition of a race, I regularly ski
home to Unterammergau at the end of the day and try
to go for a long ski at weekends.
Were you nervous before the start?
Not really, this was my third König Ludwig Lauf race
and I knew what to expect – my main concern was to
avoid the carnage that always occurs close to the start
as skiers negotiate the first incline and climb up to the
Ettal Berg whilst tracks narrow from 30 lanes to just
three.
How did you experience the race?
Very soon the elite athletes have soared ahead and
skiers get into packs of fairly matched ability - I was
constantly wishing I had better skis to enable me to be
more competitive – but perhaps it had something to do
with technique as well.
NATO School
Community Bulletin March 2006 Edition
What did you particularly like about this race?
The healthy competition, camaraderie and sense of
achievement of competing in an event alongside
athletes who are at the top of their class.
What was your first thought when you crossed the finish
line?
The kilometer markers tick off your progress as you ski
around the course; at each marker you asses how
much further it is to go and work out approximately how
much longer your body has to suffer – then all of a
sudden there’s only one kilometer left and you reach
into those reserves to try and catch the person in front –
crossing the finish line comes as a relief of an emotional
and physical pressure valve.
Do you plan to participate in the next König Ludwig Lauf
cross country ski race?
Unfortunately this was my last König Ludwig Lauf race
before my family and I move to Izmir. Perhaps I will
look for the opportunity of competing in wind surfing
races along the Turkish coast instead.
LTC Kathleen Gerenda
(23 km classic style in 2 hr 41 min 21sec)
Why did you participate in this race?
To challenge myself by doing something I’ve never
done. I missed the event last year, but I heard such
good things about it that I just had to be a part of it.
How did you prepare yourself for the race?
Running and cycling, a great lesson from Joe
Isherwood, some weekend and night skiing (I learned
that night skiing is much easier with a headlamp. J)
Were you nervous before the start? ABSOLUTELY, but
after the spill on the first hill, I was okay.
What did you particularly like about this race? The
community atmosphere, the air of competition, the
challenge of pushing myself (because it was indeed a
race), the post-race “war story” time along with the
feeling that you could now eat anything you wanted
(almost) because you just burned four bazillion calories.
What was your first thought when you crossed the finish
line?
I DID IT! YAHOO!!
Do you plan to participate in the next König Ludwig Lauf
cross country ski race?
Yes.
SSG Marko Pogorevc
(50 km free style in 2 hr 34 min 44 sec)
Why did you participate in this race?
I did race because I love cross-country skiing and I
need some motivation for training.
How did you prepare yourself for the race?
I had no special preparation for that race concerning
training, but I put a lot of effort to waxing skies before
the race. And if I’m honest for me I did it fine, but some
of the other guys (they had same wax on skies) said to
me after race that it could have gone better.
Were you nervous before the start?
I am always nervous before the start. That’s special
feeling you can feel it only if you are going to the races.
How did you experience the race?
Well, that could be a long story, but in one sentence I
could only say IT WAS COLD. If you want to know more
details ask me when we’ll meet each other.