The KAC XC Classic - Racing since 1972

A brilliant day was had by all.  The weather was perfect and the snow held up well.  The 135 competitors raced the Perisher nordic trails and enjoyed the delicious soup and festivities at the prize giving.

Race Results available on the Alpine Timing website: CLICK HERE FOR 2023 RESULTS

A Summary of the 2023 RESULTS is available here: The KAC XC Classic 2023 Race Results Summary

The KAC is one of the largest cross-country ski races in NSW. The race route, from Perisher Valley to Charlotte Pass Village, traverses 8km of gently undulating terrain through magnificent scenery. Open to racers over 12 years of age, in both classic and freestyle.

KAC 2023 was 10:00am Monday 7th August 2023

Started in 1972 by enthusiastic KAC members who wanted to encourage greater participation in cross-country skiing, the race was popularly known as The Martini, due to its early sponsorship. The race has been held every year since, except unfortunately in 2020 due to the Global Pandemic. Held on the first Wednesday of August, The KAC is a noted event on the Australian skiing calendar and is run according to the rules of the Federation Internationale de Ski. The race is the centrepiece of Cross-Country Race Week, which starts with the Boonoona Open the previous Sunday and finishes with the Snowy Classic the following weekend. In a break from tradition the 2023 KAC will be held on the Monday to allow a greater number of participants to take advantage of the long weekend.

As with other 'citizen' Cross-Country ski races, you can enjoy the event on different levels - ski hard and competitively if you're of Olympic, World, Masters, or Nationals standard, or, if you're a little more casual, ski for fun on one of the most beautiful courses you'll find in Australia. You can enter either as a Classic (diagonal stride) or Freestyle (skating) skier, with the Classic racers starting first. Both ski the same course.

At the finish of the race in Charlotte Pass, KAC hosts a prize giving at the Kosciuszko Chalet - catch up with friends for a drink and maybe win a prize.

Transport is available for those who prefer not to ski back to Perisher – please book oversnow transport with Charlotte Pass Ski Resort: Charlotte Pass Ski Resort Oversnow As a Race entrant or Race spectator you are eligible for discounted oversnow rates - please contact the KAC Office by email (admin@kac.org.au) for a PROMO CODE. Please note the Event is weather dependent, and all racers will be contacted via SMS with updates – please ensure the mobile number attached to your race entry is valid.

The KAC XC Classic 2023 RACE DETAILS

Monday 7^th August 2023, 10.00am (Starting near KAC ‘Alpenhof’ Perisher)

THE RACE

The Race starts at KAC ‘Alpenhof’ lodge, Perisher Valley and finishes at Charlotte Pass Village, approximately 9kms. The Classic ("diagonal stride") section will start first, followed 15 minutes later, on the same course, by the freestyle ‘skating’ skiers.

STYLE RESTRICTIONS

• Skiers must nominate their racing style upon entry: freestyle or classic. During the Race, styles will be identified with different coloured bibs. There will be no option to change style once the bib has been allocated.
• Skiers nominating Classic style found to be not adhering to that style (e.g., a skier found to have been skating other than for the purpose of changing tracks), will be given a 5-minute penalty.

ONLINE ENTRIES

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE MADE ONLINE

• Race entries are only permitted online through the Alpine Timing website. Online entries will close on Monday 8^th August 2023, at 8:00am.
• Entrants must be at least 12 years old on the day of the event to participate. Entrants under 16 must be in the care of an adult.
• Entry is conditional upon current Snow Australia SnowID insurance. Please visit https://www.snowracer.com.au/registration/ for more information.

ENTRY FEES

BIB NUMBERS

Bibs may be collected at KAC Alpenhof on the Sunday before the race from 4 pm. to 6pm. They may also be collected on race day from 8.30 am. to 9:30 am.

START PROCEDURE

• Bibs must be worn.
• The transponder (timing mechanism) must be worn on the ankle.
• The race is scheduled to start at 10.00 am, in the vicinity of Corroboree Lodge. If snow conditions do not permit this, the revised start area will be displayed at KAC Alpenhof.
• There will be a number of rows for seeded racers. Seeded racers will have distinctive coloured tags on their bibs.
• A 2-Minute warning will be given. At this time classic competitors must take their start positions. Any competitor not in the designated start area at this time must enter from the rear.
• Freestyle skiers must keep off the track in a separate area behind the start line.
• Freestyle skiers will start 15 minutes later. Any competitor in front of the start line after the 2 minute warning and before the start may be given a 5 minute penalty.

FINISH PROCEDURE

• Bib numbers must be clearly visible as you cross the finish line. Your transponder will be scanned at the finish gate. Any competitor crossing without a clearly visible number may not be officially finished.

• Bibs and ankle bracelet (transponder) must be returned to designated KAC Officials to complete the race. Bibs and Transponders not returned will result in disqualification.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE

If you do NOT START AFTER YOUR BIB HAS BEEN COLLECTED, OR if you WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE, it is VITAL that you advise a race official or ski patrol as soon as possible. Failure to do so may lead to a search and to you being reported as a missing person. Any associated search and reduce costs will be at your expense.

TRANSPORT

• A vehicle will be available at the start line to transport a small pack of for each competitor to the finish. Display your name and bib number on the pack to allow for easy identification. The vehicle departs the start area at 9:35am.
• Transport for competitors to return to Perisher after the race may be arranged through the Charlotte Pass Snow Resort transport office: Charlotte Pass Oversnow Bookings . Please book as far in advance as possible.to avoid disappointment. Spectator transport to and from Charlotte Pass is also available. As a Race entrant or Race spectator you are eligible for discounted oversnow rates - please contact the KAC Office by email (admin@kac.org.au) for a PROMO CODE.

SAFETY

• It is the responsibility of entrants to be prepared for all weather conditions. Please note the weather conditions experienced along the track to Charlotte Pass may be different to those in Perisher Valley. Please carry sufficient, and appropriate clothing and water.
• SMS messages regarding weather updates and race status will be sent by to the mobile phone number provided on the entry form.
• Skiers who have not reached Spencer's Creek within 2 hours of starting will be assisted to the finish by skidoo. NO EXCEPTIONS!

TIMING & RESULTS

• 'Alpine Timing' are the official race timers for The KAC. Results will be available for live tracking and as a docket print at the finish and online certificate.
• The results will be published on the KAC web site www.kac.org.au/racing/the-kac/

PRIZE GIVING

• The post-race presentation and prize giving will be held at The Chalet, Charlotte Pass.
• Prizes will be awarded by style, gender, and age grouping. Number of prizes per category will be proportionate to the number of entries.
• Overall Men’s and Women’s winners are recorded on Honour Boards at KAC Alpenhof. The Otto Pinkas Trophy is awarded to Men’s and Women’s Classic style winners. The KAC Trophy records the Club with the most finishers. The Martini Trophy records the Club with the best aggregate of limes for 3 men and 3 women members.
• Prizes not collected on the day will be available at KAC Alpenhof from 9:00am Tuesday 9th August until 5:00pm on Friday 12th August 2021. Prizes will not be posted to winners.

ENQUIRIES AND INFORMATION

Kosciusko Alpine Club
Phone: 02 9411 5974
Email: admin@kac.org.au
Website: www.kac.org.au

Chief of Race & Official Starter
Gus Hearl

Chief of Course
Peter Cunningham

Technical Delegate
Peter Cunningham

2023 RESULTS: The KAC XC Classic 2023 Race Results Summary