The Kangaroo Hoppet is a long distance cross-country skiing race in Australia. It is held annually in Falls Creek, Victoria, on the fourth Saturday of August. The race debuted in 1979 and became part of Worldloppet in 1991.
The event consists of three races: The Kangaroo Hoppet – a 42 km race which, for the purposes of the Worldloppet, counts as a main race; The Australian Birkebeiner – a 21 km race which, for the purposes of Worldloppet, counts as a short race; The Joey Hoppet – a 7 km race which does not count as either a main race or a short race.
History
The Kangaroo Hoppet has its origins in the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club's 21 km Australian Birkebeiner, first held in 1979 in Falls Creek. The race was based on the original Norwegian Birkebeiner. In 1989, the organisation extended the race to a 42 km race and added the 21 km race and 7 km race (originally known as the Birkebeiner Lite). The Worldloppet was then petitioned in 1990 to allow a race in the southern hemisphere, and as part of its petition the race format was changed to a freestyle event. The first race as part of the Worldloppet circuit was held in 1991.
In 2024, the Kangaroo Hoppet joined Ski Classics as part of their Challenger series of cross country races, although the race itself was cancelled a few days before it was due to take place.
Cancelled events The race has been cancelled four times in recent years. 2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic (Virtual Event only). 2021: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic (Virtual Event only). 2023: Cancelled due to lack of snow. 2024: Cancelled due to lack of snow.
Winners
Men Year Kangaroo Hoppet Australian Birkebeiner Joey Hoppet20252024N/AN/AN/A2023N/AN/AN/A20222021N/AN/AN/A2020N/AN/AN/A201920182017201620152014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Women Year Kangaroo Hoppet Australian Birkebeiner Joey Hoppet20252024N/AN/AN/A2023N/AN/AN/A20222021N/AN/AN/A2020N/A N/A N/A 20192018201720162015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
References
External links Kangaroo Hoppet web site