Photo: Erik Unaas
The Norwegian Ridderrennet has been held every year in Beitostølen since 1964, and gathers disabled athletes from all over the world. Ridderrennet China was arranged for the 4th time this year, restarting the race in China which was last held on Jan 1, 2006.
The participants competed in four categories: Deaf-mute, blind-visually impaired, sitting and standing.
“This was the toughest ski run in my life,” said sitting skier Markus Helmer Eskilt when he crossed the finish line. A proof that Ridderrennet really makes the impossible possible!
Photo: Hilde Sørlie
“I am impressed with the organisation level of the event. The most important thing is not to see who the winners are, but to show that it is possible also for disabled people to get together, train and reach their goals,” said Mr. Kjell Tormod Pettersen, minister at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in China, in his opening speech.
Ridderrennet China is organised by Nordic Ways, and supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Changchun Government with Ridderrennets Venner and The Norwegian Ski Association as co-supporters. Ridderrennet China will become an annual event in Changchun from now on, and the plan is to hold Ridderrennet China on Jan 1 each year, on the day before Vasaloppet China, as part of the Vasaweek and Changchun Ice and Snow Festival events.
Photo: Hilde Sørlie
There was big media interest in Ridderrennet China. It got a lot of attention from Chinese media with reports and news in several print and online media as well as TV-stations. Journalists flocked around Jingyuetan Arena and made several interviews with the skiers.
As part of the long-term goal of arranging Ridderrennet China every year and create stronger ties between Ridderrennet China and the original Ridderrennet in Norway, two Chinese skiers have been invited by the Royal Norwegian Embassy to participate in Ridderuken 2010 in Beitostølen, Norway.
Ridderrennet China 2010 was a huge success with skiers at all levels participating and we look forward to Ridderrennet China 2011.