2009: Around 100 amateur skiers try out the World Cup track
A memorable “NikoLauf” premier for a good cause
Marathon man, Joey Kelly, Olympic cyclist winner, Sabine Spitz, DEG-Coach Harold Kreis and almost 100 amateur cross-country skiers, all contributed to the charity fund, „Ein Herz für Kinder“. Dressed up in Santa Claus costumes, they all competed in this fun run on the World Cup track in support of this Bild newspaper charity, after the individual finals on Saturday afternoon.
Regardless of being a prominent person or an amateur cross-country skier, the premier of the “NikoLauf”, along the original track of the Ski Cross-Country World Cup in Düsseldorf was a memorable event for everyone. About an hour after the respective wins of the sprint events by Swede, Hanna Falk and Russian, Alexei Petukhov, the world cup track belonged entirely to the group of Santa Clauses on skis. Even through the long bushy white beards, their sheer enjoyment, as seen by thousands of spectators, could not be mistaken. Some skated along the track with red capes blowing in the wind behind, others simply took it easy walking along and joking with the public. Right in the middle of the throng of Santas, was Joey Kelley, who even with his knee injury wouldn’t miss this charity event. “There was no way that I was going to miss this wonderful cause and have some fun on the track. This was a model event!”
Little winners
The NikoLauf started with a stumble for Metro Stars trainer, Harold Kreis, who had only just completed a refresher-training course at the JEVER SKIHALL in Neuss one week before.
The last time the 50 year old was on cross-country skis, was as a student in his native country, Canada.
Quite relaxed on the contrary was the mountain bike Olympic champion from Peking, Sabine Spitz, as she helped the not as well practiced Santas along the course. „Halfway through she had to point out to one of the Nikolauf Santas that he was losing his pants! The event was really great fun“.
And who were the real winners?
Without a doubt these were the children. Just through the „starting fees“ alone, the NikoLauf Santas were able to generate several hundred Euros. The overall amount that was then donated to the charity orgainization, BILD hilft e.V „Ein Herz für Kinder“, was over 4000 Euro.
