WMA MEETING -Mariazell

(by JACK WHITE NATIONAL DIRECTOR)
The Trip-Alias Jack's boring travel.

Last week my golf friends were telling me how lucky I was to be traveling to Austria for a week. These guys just don't understand the "trials and tribulations of travel". Without going into detail about being shuttled through London's Heathrow Airport to catch an alternate airline's flight because my flight there was so late arriving that I missed my connection, here's the story.....

The trip from St. John's, NF (Halifax, London, Vienna) started at 4 pm Monday August 30, arriving Mariazell 7pm Tuesday August 31, a mere 22 hours later, seventeen of which was split between waiting in airports and actual flying time, a five hour time difference, then a 5 hour milk run bus ride... what fun! Talk about recovery time required, eh, Peter D? (For the MWC in 2001, the OC will have buses scheduled from Vienna to Mariazell, with a travel time of 2 1/2 hours.)

Prior to my departure, I checked the internet for what to expect weather wise at this time of year. It said approximately 20* Celsius so I packed several pairs of shorts. It was evident after two days there that I would not need them... it was 12* and wet, everybody was warmly dressed and carrying umbrellas. The Hotel manager informed me that it always rains early September, then it gets better by mid-month, kind of like Florida, without the heat!

My return flight was supposed to take the reverse route, Vienna, London, Halifax, St. John's. However in London at the check-in area prior to boarding, I noticed flight schedule monitors read "London-St. John's-Halifax". Are some of you guessing where this is leading?? You are right! The first attendant actually thought I would go London-St. John's-Halifax, a three hour wait then

fly Halifax-St. John's. I told him I would be getting off in St. John's and not getting back on. A second attendant came to the rescue and changed my routing. I normally enjoy traveling, but for some reason, this year I have had some rather odd experiences. No more travel until our Nationals in North Bay. Thank goodness.

Mariazell

The town has a population of 1,500 and is like Grindelwald, without the 12,000 ft mountains. There are also several small communities within a few kilometers. Tourism is the main employment and the hotels have a combined total of 3,000 beds with various price ranges. The major attraction in Mariazell is the Basilica, which was built 900 years ago, and has gone through several renovations over the years. It is quite a spectacular building, attracting large groups of people making pilgrimages from around the world. More on this 2001 MWC site in next falls newsletter.

Items from WMA meeting

For the first time ever a FIS official, Paddy Field, who holds the position of "Director of popular events" within that organization, was in attendance at our meetings. He gave an account on how the WMA can be involved within FIS, while still maintaining our autonomy and decision making. This is an extremely important event in the history of the WMA.. To have FIS interested to this extent only proves what we have known all along. The WMA is a major player in the world of cross-country skiing and can only continue to grow.

 Race format

It was voted on and accepted that future MWC's would change from the present format (classic in the morning, free technique afternoon), to alternating days classic and free technique, with all races being completed by early afternoon. This is a definite improvement, making it more fair for all competitors, and easier for organizers and race officials. However, since Kiruna has already sent out all forms for this years MWC, this format will become effective at Mariazell in 2001.

MWC Entry Form Hint

When completing these forms, always enter three races, even if you only intend to ski in one or two. It does not cause the statisticians any problem to enter DNS on race results. But, if at the last moment an individual decides to enter a race which was not checked on the entry form, it will not be possible.

Entry confirmation

This has been discontinued because many competitors failed to check these forms, and upon arrival at race sites, complained they were entered incorrectly. However, Sepp Schelbert and National Directors have original copies of these forms to prove their original completion. So when completing the entry form, ensure you correctly note the races in which you wish to compete.

Kiruna 2000

This year's MWC will be in Kiruna, Sweden, from March 19th to 25th.

Kiruna

The city of 26,000 inhabitants located north of the Arctic Circle is celebrating it's 100th anniversary. This coupled with the 20th anniversary of the Masters should make for quite an event.

Kiruna has the largest underground mine in the world... they are presently at 3,000 feet below the surface. Anyone traveling to this year's MWC should take a tour of the operation.

The ski season in Kiruna starts in October, many of the elite skiers from Europe start their season in this area. The ski stadium is located in the town and is easily accessible within minutes from all hotels. Masters participating in the MWC will probably witness some of the best tracks, snow conditions and race organization. This is real ski country and these folks know their stuff.

All requests for accommodations have to go through the OC. Anyone requiring information on hotels, etc, can log-on to the World Masters web site, or contact me.

Travel--The major carrier to Kiruna is SAS. They are an Air Canada partner and operate several flights per week out of Toronto to Scandinavian sites. They will also be having extra flights between Stockholm and Kiruna two days prior, as well as after, the MWC. For info in Canada call 1-800-221-2350.

 Valcartier 2002

 At the WMA meeting in Grindelwald this past March, the Quebec contingent of Andr* Filion, Jean Yves Babin and Pierre Harvey presented the bid to hold the MWC at Valcartier in 2002. Dieter Heckmann stated that this was by far the most impressive presentation he had seen in his 18 years as WMA President. This was unanimously agreed upon by all of the long time National Directors from various countries. It is very gratifying for this National Director that Andr* and the committee worked extremely hard to make this such a professional presentation. After our meeting, many Directors came up to me with the utmost praise for what they had seen. As Canada's National Director, it made me feel very proud. I hope many Canadian Masters will plan on attending this 2002 MWC at Valcartier and make it one of the best events ever held within the WMA..

 

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