Thousands of ski professionals and enthusiasts from home and abroad will converge on Changchun, Jilin Province on January 3 and 4 next year for a major ski festival.

Vasaloppet China 2004 aims to mix competition and fun.

The last event, in Changchun last year, attracted up to 750 participants from 15 countries along with around 2,000 spectators.

Oskar Svard from Sweden, who was also the champion of Vasaloppet Sweden 2003, took first place by completing the 36-km course in 1:26'15".

Over 3,000 skiers are expected to take part in this year's festival, including Olympic medalists.

Sticking to its principle of welcoming the participation of more people, the festival features runs ranging from 3 to 50km for people of various levels.

Young children can even take part in a 500-meter run.

Vasaloppet in Sweden is the biggest ski event in the world, with an 80-year history and 40,000 skiers participating annually. It was started in 1922 when a Swedish newspaper editor proposed to organize a cross-country ski event to commemorate Swedish hero, Gustav Vasa.

Vasaloppet China is expected to become a traditional event bringing people of different walks of life and nationalities together.

To promote cross-country skiing in China, event co-sponsor Nordic Ways will also stage a Beijing Ski Sprint, with 32 top skiers racing in heats of four on a 1,200-meter track to be set in Chaoyang Park.

On the evening of December 31, people paying for park entry will be able to check out the demonstration competition presented by 32 Olympic golden medalists and Chinese skiers.

For more information, visit www.vasaloppet.org.cn or call 8580-1058.
 

(Beijing Weekend October 27, 2003)