CHRISTOPHER RICHARDS - SKIING CV
1986-8
First encounters with sliding on snow. Like most Brits, I started with downhill skiing, not knowing anything of cross country. Fortunately this was in Ramsau, one of the better places to discover it.
Looking at cross country ski equipment for the first time, I was struck with how light and free it was compared to the big heavy alpine kit. I set off up the loipe and that was it!
As a (fairly keen) cyclist the experience seemed similarly rewarding. You travel over the landscape under one’s own steam with the added dimension/challenge of snow with all its variability.
1989
Found a book on cross-country sking in my local library, by Paddy Field and Tim Walker. The story of the Worldloppet immediately caught my imagination and I decided I had to become a Worldloppet master, an ambition that took many years to fulfill.
1990
Joined LRNSC. Bought a set of roller ski kit and picked up a lot of scrapes and bruises learning to roller ski in a local car park.
1993-5
First attempts to complete a loppet – La Transjurassienne. Not a good first choice in retrospect. It’s one of the harder ones, the weather in the Jura is unpredictable, and the biggest mistake was doing it alone without any advice and support from the Club. This would have made a big difference, since I didn’t really have a clue.
It took me three goes – the first was cancelled for lack of snow, the second I abandoned at 42km, exhausted and frozen. The third attempt was ok.
I have had an ongoing relationship with the Transju ever since, with some of my worst (and best) experiences on this race. This year I had the best result yet, but it ought to be better. The story may continue.
1995-2005
Wordloppet series: I did all the usual ones in Scandinavia & the Alps, only one outside Europe – the Gatineau.
Which was the best? – difficult to say – so much depends on the conditions on the day. The Quebec experience was great – landscape, good snow, food, people.
1999-2008
Masters Cross Country World Cup [MWC] competitions in Grindlewald, Quebec, Lillehammer, Brusson, Idaho.
The MWC is a very different experience to the Loppet series. Despite the fact that it is for older skiers, the standard is higher and I was left behind from the start the first couple of times.
Skiing as fast as you can for a relatively short distance is a real blast. Your lungs, legs, everything is hurting. You have to concentrate just to stay upright on the corners and descents. But it is over quite soon and you are left wondering if you could have saved a few seconds here and there. It’s quite addictive really.
2003
Qualified as a Snowsport England roller ski instructor
2002-2010
Racing Secretary for LRNSC.
Although I agree with the view that the Club is for all skiers, not just the competitive ones, I think that racing should be accessible to all skiers. It should have something to offer everyone, whether it’s being able just to complete a distance, do a personal best, or win your category. The extra focus and motivation that comes from preparing for an event is for me an indispensable part of the sport.
Future Plans
The Euroloppet series is the current project – lots of enjoyable events within easy reach. Worldloppet Global Master is a potential target but involves a lot of travelling – three other continents!
This winter it’s the WMC in British Colombia. Having gone up an age group the hope is to improve the position relative to my age group – 20% over the winner’s time is the modest, though not easy, target.