Merino Muster

Merino Muster
Statusactive
Genresporting event
DateAugust
Frequencyannual
LocationWānaka
CountryNew Zealand
Inaugurated1995 (1995)

The Merino Muster is a cross-country ski race held annually at the Snow Farm in Wanaka, 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

The Merino Muster was predated by two races held in the area.[3] 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.[3] In 1995, the first official Merino Muster Race was held at the Snow Farm in Wanaka, New Zealand.[3] The race was originally sponsored by the CSL Ltd Animal Health Division.[3] CSL manager John Burridge helped create the race to support farmers and veterinarians.[3] In 2014, the 42 km race became an official member of the WorldLoppet Ski Federation.[3] The highest number of participants in the race occurred in 2015, with 112 people completing the 42 km race.[3]

Name

The name "Merino Muster" originated from the regional tradition of mustering Merino sheep.[4] Mustering is the process of guiding merino sheep from the high country to the lower pastures as winter approaches (March-May).[5] This tradition has been carried out for over 150 years in New Zealand, and is the namesake for the ski race.[6]

Course

The even consists of four races, each one differing in length: 42 km, 21 km, 14 km, and 7km.[7]

The 7km race is called the "Straggle Muster."[7] Participants of the this race typically include novice skiers and families.[7] Average times to complete this race range from 30-60 minutes.[7]

The 14 km race is called the "Double Fleece."[7] This race is held within the main bowl of the Snow Farm.[7] To achieve the 14 km, participants ski two laps around the 7 km bowl.[7]

The 21 km race is known as the "Snow Rake."[7] Time to complete this race ranges from 1-3 hours.[7] 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.[8]

The 42 km race is called the "Merino Muster."[7] This race is an official WorldLopped Series event.[8] 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.[8] Over the course of the race, skiers gain a total elecation of 361 m.[8] The course descends for 38% of the race, ascends for 38% and is flat for 24%.[8]

At the conclusion of all races, skiers receive a medal with a "jewel" in the color that corresponds to their race distance.[8]

Previous winners of the 42km race

Men Winner Time
2018 Simeon Hamilton[9]
2019 Tomoki Sato[10] 1:47:16
2020 (distance shortened to 28 km)[11] Campbell Wright[11]
2021 (cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions)[12]
2022 Campbell Wright[13] 1:59:25
2023 Fabian Stocek[14] 1:17:25
2024 Akito Watabe[15] 1:51:29
2025 (shortened to 22.4 km due to snow)[16] Campbell Wright[16] 0:51:44
Women Winner Time
2018 Jessie Diggins[17]
2019 Jessie Diggins[18] 1:50:23
2020 (distance shortened to 28 km)[19] Rachel Knott[19]
2021 (cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions)[20]
2022 Nicole David[21] 2:41:11
2023 Jessie Diggins[22] 1:18:11
2024 Jessie Diggins[23] 1:52:49
2025 (shortened to 22.4 km due to snow)[24] Julia Kern[24] 0:57:19

Notable participants

Helen Clark [25]

Jessie Diggins [26]

Campbell Wright [26]

References

  1. ^ a b Puccio, Giovanni (2018-12-26). "Merino Muster - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  2. ^ "Come to the 2026 Merino Muster WorldLoppet!". wanakaxc.webflow.io. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Puccio, Giovanni (2018-12-26). "Merino Muster - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  4. ^ "Challengers Merino Muster 2025 brings world-class field – American superstars confirmed – Ski Classics". 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  5. ^ Fibre, ZQ Natural (2025-07-20). "The Autumn Muster | Omarama Station | Shepherds | ZQ Merino". Discover ZQ. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  6. ^ Fibre, ZQ Natural (2025-08-06). "Legacy lives on in every muster | Sheep Mustering | Shepherds | ZQ Merino". Discover ZQ. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Come to the 2026 Merino Muster WorldLoppet!". wanakaxc.webflow.io. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Puccio, Giovanni (2018-12-26). "Merino Muster - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  9. ^ Puccio, Giovanni (2018-08-31). "US skiers Hamilton and Diggins won the Merino Muster 2018 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  10. ^ SteffenLarssen (2019-08-31). "Tomoki Sato (JPN) and Jessie Diggins (USA) wins the Merion Muster xc marathon". Turrenn.net. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  11. ^ a b Zlobl, Gunnar (2020-09-12). "Will the real Merino Muster please stand up - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  12. ^ "merino muster 2021 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  13. ^ "Merino Muster (2022) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  14. ^ "Merino Muster (2023) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  15. ^ Zlobl, Gunnar (2024-08-31). "Jessie Diggins and Akito Watabe win Merino Muster 2024 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  16. ^ a b Lutz, Leandro (2025-08-30). "Wright and Kern shine at Merino Muster 2025". ProXCskiing. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  17. ^ Puccio, Giovanni (2018-08-31). "US skiers Hamilton and Diggins won the Merino Muster 2018 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  18. ^ SteffenLarssen (2019-08-31). "Tomoki Sato (JPN) and Jessie Diggins (USA) wins the Merion Muster xc marathon". Turrenn.net. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  19. ^ a b Zlobl, Gunnar (2020-09-12). "Will the real Merino Muster please stand up - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  20. ^ "merino muster 2021 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  21. ^ "Merino Muster (2022) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  22. ^ "Merino Muster (2023) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  23. ^ Zlobl, Gunnar (2024-08-31). "Jessie Diggins and Akito Watabe win Merino Muster 2024 - Worldloppet". Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  24. ^ a b Lutz, Leandro (2025-08-30). "Wright and Kern shine at Merino Muster 2025". ProXCskiing. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  25. ^ Hayman, Ivor (August 21, 2000). "Snow break for PM". The Southland Times. 1 – via ProQuest.
  26. ^ a b "Challengers Merino Muster 2025 brings world-class field – American superstars confirmed – Ski Classics". 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
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