It's all about taking part

Now I’m excited. I’m standing behind the start line with an estimated 850 other cross-country skiers. I jump up and down a bit on the spot circling my arms o keep my fingers warm. Just a few more minutes.  Strap on the skis quickly. Poles in my hands. A loud gunshot bangs through the wintery morning. The crowd starts moving. We’re standing further back, watching the field in front of us as it runs up the starting hill. We, that’s my team of friends, acquaintances, work colleagues and I. An adventurous mix of occasional athletes and ambitious cross-country skiers. Some using classic style, the rest skating. That’s exactly what it should be like at the Chiemgau Team Trophy. A sporting event for everyone. The course measures roughly 43 kilometres. In between there are regular opportunities to take the shuttle bus and make it a bit shorter.

The first stage leads from Inzell to Ruhpolding. This is also a special feature of the Chiemgau Team Trophy, which links the three towns Inzell, Ruhpolding and Reit im Winkl together. A real team achievement not just by the participants but also by the organisers. With the first climb behind me I am feeling reassured. It wasn’t half as bad as I feared. I glide along totally relaxed, enjoying the winter’s day, meeting people I know on the trail. We chat briefly and arrange to have a celebratory beer at the finish. Some of my team have already gone ahead, others are behind me, by my side is a friend who took part four years ago too. We stop at the first refreshment stop and drink a hot tea in peace. It goes down very well. The last few meters down to Ruhpolding over the snow-covered golf course into the town are child’s play. A small camp fire is burning at the Kur Cafe where we keep warm. There’s rice pudding and delicious cereal bars, cakes and even more tea. And so it continues, stops where you can rest and top up your energy levels are spread along the whole course. Even your skis can be waxed on request. So that you glide along even easier.

At the same time, the trails are wonderfully prepared. The trail is still firm and hard in the morning, towards lunchtime the snow is much softer but still with a good grip. I battle my way up the long climb at Weitsee, huff and puff on the downhill run towards Sachenbacher Alm, enjoy the long run down from Seegatterl to Reit im Winkl. I grit my teeth for the last few kilometres. My legs are heavy but the euphoria of the group motivates me, pushes me and carries me to the finish. We fall into each others arms and pose for the finishers’ photo. I didn’t complete the whole course but took the bus between Ruhpolding and the lakes. It’s still more than 30 kilometres in the end though. More than I’ve ever completed before. I’m bursting with pride. We’re already making plans on the way back. For our next Chiemgau Team Trophy together.