Merino Muster
| Merino Muster | |
|---|---|
| Status | active |
| Genre | sporting event |
| Date | August |
| Frequency | annual |
| Location | Wānaka |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 1995 |
The Merino Muster is a cross-country ski race held annually at the Snow Farm in Wānaka, New Zealand.[1] The event offers four different length races of 42 km, 21 km, 14 km, and 7 km.[2] The race was founded in 1995, and it has been a member of the Worldloppet Ski Federation since 2014.[1]
History
[edit]The Merino Muster was predated by two races held in the area.[1] The first was held in the 1980's at the Cardrona Ski Area, and the second was held in 1990 at the site of the future Merino Muster.[1] In 1995, the first official Merino Muster Race was held at the Snow Farm in Wānaka, New Zealand.[1] The race was originally sponsored by the CSL Ltd Animal Health Division.[1] CSL manager John Burridge helped create the race to support farmers and veterinarians.[1] In 2014, the 42 km race became an official member of the Worldloppet Ski Federation.[1] The highest number of participants in the race occurred in 2015, with 112 people completing the 42 km race.[1]
Name
[edit]The name "Merino Muster" originated from the regional tradition of mustering Merino sheep.[3] Mustering is the process of guiding merino sheep from the high country to the lower pastures as winter approaches (March–May).[4] This tradition has been carried out for over 150 years in New Zealand, and is the namesake for the ski race.[5]
Course
[edit]The even consists of four races, each one differing in length: 42 km, 21 km, 14 km, and 7 km.[6]
The 7 km race is called the "Straggle Muster."[6] Participants of this race typically include novice skiers and families.[6] Average times to complete this race range from 30–60 minutes.[6]
The 14 km race is called the "Double Fleece."[6] This race is held within the main bowl of the Snow Farm.[6] To achieve the 14 km, participants ski two laps around the 7 km bowl.[6]
The 21 km race is known as the "Snow Rake."[6] Time to complete this race ranges from 1–3 hours.[6] The course consists of two laps, the first being the same as the Double Fleece, and a second that traverses through the Meg River Valley and passes by the Meadow Hut, an aid station.[1]
The 42 km race is called the "Merino Muster."[6] This race is an official WorldLopped Series event.[1] The course entails completing three laps: the first being that of the Double Fleece, the second being the Snow Rake, and the third being a final lap above the Meg river, back near the Meadow Hut, and finally to the Finish Stadium.[1] Over the course of the race, skiers gain a total elecation of 361 m.[1] The course descends for 38% of the race, ascends for 38% and is flat for 24%.[1]
At the conclusion of all races, skiers receive a medal with a "jewel" in the color that corresponds to their race distance.[1]
Previous winners of the 42km race
[edit]| Men | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Simeon Hamilton[7] | |
| 2019 | Tomoki Sato[8] | 1:47:16 |
| 2020 (distance shortened to 28 km)[9] | Campbell Wright[9] | |
| 2021 (cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions)[10] | ||
| 2022 | Campbell Wright[11] | 1:59:25 |
| 2023 | Fabian Stocek[12] | 1:17:25 |
| 2024 | Akito Watabe[13] | 1:51:29 |
| 2025 (shortened to 22.4 km due to snow)[14] | Campbell Wright[14] | 0:51:44 |
| Women | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Jessie Diggins[15] | |
| 2019 | Jessie Diggins[8] | 1:50:23 |
| 2020 (distance shortened to 28 km)[9] | Rachel Knott[9] | |
| 2021 (cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions)[16] | ||
| 2022 | Nicole David[17] | 2:41:11 |
| 2023 | Jessie Diggins[18] | 1:18:11 |
| 2024 | Jessie Diggins[19] | 1:52:49 |
| 2025 (shortened to 22.4 km due to snow)[20] | Julia Kern[20] | 0:57:19 |
Notable participants
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Puccio, Giovanni (2018-12-26). "Merino Muster - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Come to the 2026 Merino Muster WorldLoppet!". wanakaxc.webflow.io. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Challengers Merino Muster 2025 brings world-class field – American superstars confirmed – Ski Classics". 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Fibre, ZQ Natural (2025-07-20). "The Autumn Muster | Omarama Station | Shepherds | ZQ Merino". Discover ZQ. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Fibre, ZQ Natural (2025-08-06). "Legacy lives on in every muster | Sheep Mustering | Shepherds | ZQ Merino". Discover ZQ. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Come to the 2026 Merino Muster WorldLoppet!". wanakaxc.webflow.io. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Puccio, Giovanni (2018-08-31). "US skiers Hamilton and Diggins won the Merino Muster 2018 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- 1 2 SteffenLarssen (2019-08-31). "Tomoki Sato (JPN) and Jessie Diggins (USA) wins the Merion Muster xc marathon". Turrenn.net. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- 1 2 3 4 Zlobl, Gunnar (2020-09-12). "Will the real Merino Muster please stand up - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "merino muster 2021 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Merino Muster (2022) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Merino Muster (2023) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Zlobl, Gunnar (2024-08-31). "Jessie Diggins and Akito Watabe win Merino Muster 2024 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- 1 2 Lutz, Leandro (2025-08-30). "Wright and Kern shine at Merino Muster 2025". ProXCskiing. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Puccio, Giovanni (2018-08-31). "US skiers Hamilton and Diggins won the Merino Muster 2018 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "merino muster 2021 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Merino Muster (2022) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Merino Muster (2023) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Zlobl, Gunnar (2024-08-31). "Jessie Diggins and Akito Watabe win Merino Muster 2024 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- 1 2 Lutz, Leandro (2025-08-30). "Wright and Kern shine at Merino Muster 2025". ProXCskiing. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Hayman, Ivor (August 21, 2000). "Snow break for PM". The Southland Times. 1 – via ProQuest.
- 1 2 "Challengers Merino Muster 2025 brings world-class field – American superstars confirmed – Ski Classics". 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-12-03.