From Winter Olympics to Mass Sport Events: Successes and Chalenges deriving from the Birkebeiner races

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1 From Winter Olympics to Mass Sport Events: Successes and Chalenges deriving from the Birkebeiner races Thor Flognfeldt: Lillehammer University College Norway

The status of this winter: Best snow conditions for years Excellent preparation of tracks 17 000 (minus some) registered

2 This front page was created last Friday. The next morning the race was cancelled due to very strong wind accross the mountain parts of the track. The status of this winter: Best snow conditions for years Excellent preparation of tracks (minus some) registered participants most had already arrived to the start. The Friday competition took place in nice, but a little windy conditions Some students were located at the Finish line to interview «happy participants» now 120 kms away.

3 Outdoor sports are a risky businesses For skiing (March): Lack of snow, heathing means wet tracks Wind blowing across the tracks Too much cold, low temperatures For road race (June): Crowding in passing towns Road accidents For mountain biking (August): Heavy rainfall meaning wet or muddy tracks Cold wind Too hot or humid For runnning (Early June): Snow remaining in the tracks Heavy rainfall Last Saturday it was more than plenty of snow, but gusty close to storm on the higj mountain parts.

4 Bak to the original manuscript: The Lillehammer Olympics took place 20 years ago Even though many still say «this was the best Winter Games ever, looking back it seems that the successes were not caused by the direct after-use of the Olympics, but by other factors like: Local traditions of being a mass sport organizer, especially on recruitment to volunteering task Growth in participation in mass sport competitions Changes in accommodation preferences in the Norwegian recreation and holiday markets Changes in preparation of ski slopes

5 What happens after a World Mega Event? My small home town, Lillehammer, was the successfull organizer of the 1994 Winter Olympics. The big questions before and after that event was: «What would happen afterwards? What types of future would be most successfull: Smaller Mega Events like World Cup competitions, or Occasional National and regional Championship Events Mass sport competitions especially the annual repeating ones How should such events be managed? What about «after-use» of venues and knowledge These reflections are based on observations and studies after two decades.

6 Table 1 Post Winter Olympics. Olympic Cities as organizers of Skiing World Cups Type of competition/ venue Olympic organizers Crosscountry Nordic Combined Ski Jumping Biathlon Alpine skiing Calgary 1988 * Y Albertville *** Lillehammer 1994 * ** *** - *** Nagano * Salt Lake City * Torino *** Vancouver * *** means frequently, ** some times/irregular, * just once or a few times, Y means in Lake Louise, Banff NationalPark Both Calgary, Lillehammer (Hamar) and Salt Lake City have organized many Speed Skating events

7 The old and established Mega Event organizers seldom are giving away their position for the (post Olympic) newcomers, they might be: Holmenkollen, Oslo for Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway Locations for Nordic skiing and Biathlon in France takes place in the Jura mountains The previous Olympic organizer Sapporo in Japan (1972) is the main of ski jumping World Cup hill there, but Sapporo also have organized World Championship in Nordic skiing Alpin skiing WC in the US will mostly take place in the Vail, Colorado environment Nordics WC seldom in the US Most Nordic and Biathlon events in Italy are managed in or close to the South Tyrol region (Anterselva and Val di Fieme) and events some of the repeating alpine events are there (Val Gardena/Alta Badia). Vancouver / Whistler have not been a frequent organizer either after the 2010 events

8 The first cross-country world cup in Lillehammer after the 94 Olympics (december 2013) meant completely redesigned tracks and venue facilities.

9 The Lillehammer region is in addition to recreation production relaying on other work opportunities like: County administration center including a large hospital Education center with a University College of more than students and some smaller special education units, education for top athletes both at high school and university level specially designed for winter sport athletes. A military camp based on National cyber war education up to at least Masters level headquarter for military computing and communication development A strong museums base containing the largest outdoor folk museum in Norway (Maihaugen), one of the largest art museums in Norway and a nation road construction museum plus other small museums like the Norwegian Olympic Museum (just a Hall of Fame venue)

11 Post Olympic venue after-use some effects: Mainly positive Alpine skiing venues viable Cross country and Biathlon venues not viable, but important for tourism Ski jumping hill not viable, but important as attractions and training venues Ice hockey venues the smaller one (3.000) is viable the large one (11.000) is important for other uses, including Olympic Museum Radio & TV venues my College now, but also the production site of the regional branch of the National Raido % TV company (NRK) Economic challenges: Bobsleigh & Luge venue the only venue in the Nordic Countries - important, but is not viable. Office buildings will often take som time to «fill» since they are built as surplus to existing capacity Restaurants & bars even if 70 % are provisional, too many. Accommodation the real challenge: Too many hotel beds and a lack of family acc. units. Cultural attractions like museums: Must expect lower visitation after an Olympic peak season, but they are very often improved.

12 This paper is about mass events with many competitors the four main Birkebeiner Races «After-use», might mean to host big events like World Cups in Biathlon, Ski Jumping, Cross Country skiing and Downhill, but. These events have large expences and the income to the organizers are not covering the costs. In Mass Sport Events, however, the costs are both pay by most participants themselves and by a growing interest in the sponsor markets. In addition comes the many positive tourism effects of vistors, both participants, accompanying persons, spectators and all sorts of viewers..plus pre competition training in or clase to the tracks. The main focus of this paper is of one of the resorts in the «tracks» Natrudstilen at Sjusjøen a second home area.

13 Mass cross-country ski events started early in Lillehammer The first two internationaly famous long distance ski events was the Wasaloppet in Sweden and the Birkebeiner races in Norway which started 1923 and Both have their origin based on historical myths about potential heir to the thrones running away from enemies --- on skis. From the start only male competitors were participating the women were invited to take part late in the 1970ies While Wasaloppet is a long (90 kms) races without any ascent parts, is the Birkebeiner a crossing of a mountain range area(from 200 up to 1000 meters and down again) to another valley. This means different, but both tough challenges for participants.

The Birkebeinerrittet (cross-country bike race) has 17.000 participants on the main race.

14 The Birkebeinerrittet (cross-country bike race) has participants on the main race. This is from the Friday race, restricted to They are close to the finish line here, after 80 kms and 700 m hight diff.

15 What are the prime tourism economy effects of the Birkebeiner races? Prime effects: Three weekends annually more than persons are starting, and along with their families and other supporters this means at least visitiors to accommodate. In addition another will take part in side-events during the weeks Secondary effects: Training camps and track tests meaning on average another 2 3 weeks of visits (and for many also demand of accommodation) Tertiary effects: Investment in a second home close to the competition venues or extended use of family second homes already there, both by competitors and others. Testing of skis and waxing are also important world brands like Swix and Madshus have their production in the area. Reparing and cleaning competition bikes are also and important income.

16 The Birkebeinerrittet (cross-c. mountain bike race) uses both dirt roads and mountain/forest tracks of different «qualities». On a rainy competition day, this really means challenges!!

Profiles and information for the four prime Birkebeiner Races A. The Birkebeiner Ski Race from 1932, 54 kms today March every year 16.

The Birkebeiner Cross Country Running Race, 21 kms, June every year 10.000 participants. D.

+ Some thousands participating in either shorter competitions or so called «ultra» ones much longer races.

17 Profiles and information for the four prime Birkebeiner Races A. The Birkebeiner Ski Race from 1932, 54 kms today March every year participants + B. The Birkebeiner Mountain Bike Race from 1993, 95 kms, August every year participants + C. The Birkebeiner Cross Country Running Race, 21 kms, June every year participants. D. The Birkebeiner Road Biking Race, 171 kms, June every year particip. + Some thousands participating in either shorter competitions or so called «ultra» ones much longer races. Those participating in A + B + C withing the time of one year will be honoured by the Birkebeiner Tripple. Those doing so have the right to be pre-registered for alle events. Start Rena Start Rena Start Lillehammer (higher) Start Rena Finish: Lillehammer Finish: Lillehammer Finish: Lillehammer Finish: Lillehammer

18 The Birkebeiner tracks at Sjusjøen 40 kms completed 14 kms left to finish.

19 Lillehammer Sjusjøen/ Natrudstilen Rena This is the map for the «Birkebeiner road race», the longest event. The others take part from Rena to Lillehammer more directly.

20 Swix Ski Classics Ski Classics was created in a cooperation between athletes, events and IEC in Sports representatives in order to enhance the world of long distance skiing. The Ski Classics concept launched in front the ski season of Ski Classics is a new concept combining the most traditional long distance cross country skiing events in Europe into a TV product. The series consists of 6 events where the last one will be the Ski Classics Final, rounding up the season and hosting the season review prize ceremony. The Ski Classics final will 2013 be held in Sweden. The long distance ski races are unique winter sport events combining professional and amateur skiers through picturesque landscapes across Europe. Jizerská Padesátka Sunday January 13th, Czech Republic 50km, Classic Technique Marcialonga Sunday January 27th, Italy 70 km, Classic Technique König Ludwig Lauf Sunday February 3rd, Germany 42 km, Classic Technique Vasaloppet Sunday March 3rd, Sweden 90 km, Classic Technique Birkebeinerrennet Saturday March 16th, Norway 54 km, Classic Technique Swix Ski Classics Final - Årefjällsloppet Saturday March 23rd, Sweden 75 km, Classic Technique

21 How should mass sport events be managed? The cost of organizing Olympics are not only about investment in venues and infrastructure it is also about management costs. Also mass sport events need an efficient management. The prime tasks: An efficient application system registered by web in a couple of minutes for the main races. A systematic follow up information system mailing an electronic and a paper journal containing such information. A similar contact with the leaders among the volunteers A system of transport and accommodation booking with registration and payment Contacts with main sponsors including services to their employees Contracts with service providers like sport shop fairs (three times annually) and food & beverages Median contacts and planning of total TV-production. Liasons to these.

22 These mass port events means income and jobs Income: Participants paying fees (more than paying) Transport to and from site plus internal transport All sorts of accoomodation Sport equipement fairs Food & bewerages High position on the sponsor markets both locally and international TV and radio coverage Jobs - direct: Administation of the events Maintaining of tracks Booking of accommodation, transport and meals Volunteers Media coverages Jobs indirect: Hospitals Assistance to equipement maintenance +++++

23 The Natrudstilen training and competition venue is one of the earliest skiing sites every Winter this is early November 2013 the start of the Biathlon Season.

24 In addition: buying a house, a second home challet or appartment The case is Sjusjøen 20 kms from Lillehammer located in the mountains at m a s We have been studying - and even assisted - the development in this area the last 25 years The Olympics meant financing a water and severage pipeline with a high capacity giving opportunities of buiding new high standard cabins (and appartments) Due to climate conditions an all-year top class cross-country skiing and biathlon venue have been build Many athlets have either moved to the area or bought their second homes

25 World champion Tarjei Bøe on summer training.

26 Mass sports and the training market: Occasional training camps Both national elite teams and ski clubs from the areas with less or irregular snow conditions. During 2012 more than 50 national teams (not nations) stay more than one week in training camps along with regional ones this mean guest nights! New special designed «macrochallets» will be opened this year The Sjusjøen Case Buying a second home as a permanent training base Mass and elite athlets buy or hire for long term contracts chalets or flats in the Sjusjøen area. The buyers are couples that both are training/participating in at least two, often all Birkebeiner races. Many of these have jobs that might give opportunities for extended weekend holidays.

Challets from the 1950-1960ies Traditional centre area Challet area Future

27 Challets from the ies Traditional centre area Challet area Future services area Ski and bike Venue area Natrudstilen 5 years ago Extended this autumn.

28 The ski and biathlon asphalted roller ski tracks, to be extended this autumn.

29 How should mass sport events be managed? The cost of organizing Olympics are not only about investment in venues and infrastructure it is also about management costs. Also mass sport events need an efficient management. The prime tasks: An efficient application system registered by web in a couple of minutes for the main races. A systematic follow up information system mailing an electronic and a paper journal containing such information. A similar contact with the leaders among the volunteers A system of transport and accommodation booking with registration and payment Contacts with main sponsors including services to their employees Contracts with service providers like sport shop fairs (three times annually) and food & beverages Median contacts and planning of total TV-production. Liasons to these.

30 Conclusion: Winter Olympic sites are not economically viable after the games if their prime focus is on Mega Sport Events because such events seldome get enough income Mass sport events and training camps and facilities, however, means paying particiants and accompanying vistors who also spend money. People moving to the area, sport students and those training out of competition season will be important If some annually returning world cup events comes in addition, they might create a surplus some years

A unique Ski race. Rena Lillehammer, Norway, 54 km. Birken Mountain experience for cross-country skiers.

A unique Ski race. Rena Lillehammer, Norway, 54 km. Birken Mountain experience for cross-country skiers. A unique Ski race Birken Mountain experience for cross-country skiers. PRODUCT MANUAL 1. Ski race & entry 2. Accommodation 3. Transport 4. Activities 5. Packages Rena Lillehammer, Norway, 54 km 1. Race