Media guide

The fifth edition of the long distance cross country skiing event Kaiser Maximilian Lauf will be held on the 11th of January 2020 in Seefeld in Tirol, Austria. The organisation expects around 1200 participants from over 25 countries to take part in this event with the Visma Ski Classics race of 60 or 30 km in classic technique on Saturday. All Visma Ski Classics races are broadcasted in more than 70 countries and have over 20 million viewers.

Visma Ski Classics Press Photos 2018
Olympiaregion Seefeld Press Photos

When used, photos shall be accredited to Magnus Östh, Visma Ski Classics Official Photographer. The media files are only allowed to be used in relation with news about Visma Ski Classics events, if uncertain contact Magnus Östh at info@magnusosth.com

Press officials can request press access and the press accreditation is handed out at the Race office, please send your request to info@kaisermaximilianlauf.com. 

Please note that special permission is required to enter the finish line at the Visma Ski Classics race, send your request to press@skiclassics.com. 

Kaiser Maximilian Lauf 2020 will offer two distances, 60 and 30 km in classic technique. Participation registrations are made online until the 7th of January and late registrations can be made on sight in Seefeld from Friday the 10th until 2 hours before the start. Start and finish for the 60km races will be the new World Championship Arena in Seefeld, while the 30km races start in Unterleutasch and finish at the WCS Arena.

The 60km course goes through a spectacular scenery from Mösern, Wildmoos, Buchen and Leutasch before heading back to Seefeld and WCS-Arena. The track has a height difference of 835 meters and the highest point is 1,340 meters above sea level. The 30km course starts in Unterleutasch and follows the same route as the 60km course, through the beautiful and quite flat

Leutasch valley, before going uphill to the Wildmoos and from the Wildmoos down again to Seefeld with finish line in the new World Championships Arena.

Saturday 11th of January 2020

Approximately 30 min after the three first men and women have crossed the finish line, the flower ceremony and prize giving ceremony will be held on the balcony of the Visma Ski Classics trailer at the finish area at WCS Arena.

The World Championship Arena is accessed easiest by foot from the centre of Seefeld. The closest available parking area is in Möserertal and it is free of charge. 

Please send your request about pro team athlete interviews to press@vismaskiclassics.com at latest 1 day before the event.

The first edition of the event was held in 2016, created in only a couple of weeks to replace the cancelled Visma Ski Classics race Köning Ludvig Lauf in Germany. The event was successful, and Visma Ski Classics decided to keep Kaiser Maximilian Lauf in the calendar for 2017.

In 2017, the weather conditions were tough, and 404 participants skied the challenging course while 15cm fresh snow fell from the sky. However, third time is the charm! The third edition in 2018 offered perfect snow conditions and a clear sky and the event was a true enjoyment for the 758 participants, all volunteers and spectators. The winners of the Visma Ski Classics event 60km Classic was the Norwegian Tord Asle Gjerdalen and the Swedish Britta Johansson Nordgren.

• Number of Participants: 758
• Number of Nationalities: 27
• Number of Broadcast markets: 43
• Dedicated TV-audience: 1.2 million

1. Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) Team Santander 2:27:49.0
2. Andreas Holmberg (SWE) Team Serneke 2:28:03.8
3. Ilya Chernousov (RUS) Bauer Ski Team 2:28:21.0
4. Emil Vokuev (RUS) Russian Marathon Team 2:28:56.6
5. Anton Karlsson (SWE) Lager 157 Ski Team 2:28:57.2
6. Øyvind Moen Fjeld (NOR) Team Santander 2:28:57.2
7. Morten Eide Pedersen (NOR) Team BN Bank 2:28:57.4
8. Simen Østensen (NOR) Team BN Bank 2:28.57.6
9. Oskar Kardin (SWE) Team Santander 2:28:57.7
10. Tore Bjørseth Berdal (NOR) Team Koteng 2.28.58.1

1. Britta Johansson Norgren (SWE) Lager 157 Ski Team 2:49:16.0
2. Sara Lindborg (SWE) Team Serneke 2:49:53.5
3. Masako Ishida (JPN) Team Koteng 2:50:14.9
4. Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes (NOR) Team Santander 2:50:56.7
5. Lina Korsgren (SWE) Åre längdskidklubb 2:51:21.1
6. Katerina Smutná (CZE) Bauer Ski Team 2:55:03.9
7. Laila Kveli (NOR) Team Tynell 2:57:16.7
8. Larisa Ryasina (RUS) Russian Marathon Team 2:59:11.9
9. Lali Kvaratskheliya (RUS) Russian Marathon Team 3:03:18.3
10. Heli Heiskanen (FIN) Team Trentino Robinson Trainer 3:08:56.7

Visma Ski Classics is the long distance ski championship consisting go the twelve most traditional and prestigious ski events in the world. The long distance ski races are all 50 km or more and offers unique skiing experiences. The tour is produced for media with helicopters and snowmobiles, and distributed to more than 70 countries. Visma Ski Classics combines the Pro Teams athletes’ fights for the victories, with the thousands of of amateur skiers whom are challenging their own limits through picturesque landscapes around Europe.

Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour - Season X 2019-2020

Read more here.

The Olympiaregion Seefeld is a timeless classic in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps – a true holiday paradise. The south-facing plateau at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level consists of five villages – Seefeld, Leutasch, Mösern-Buchen, Reith and Scharnitz. Every village offer a huge variety of sports and recreational activities framed by a breathtaking mountain landscape. At the core of the region’s philosophy is its ‘Nordic Lifestyle’ concept which brings together sport and exercise, fine living and dining and exhilarating events to create an all-embracing experience for body, mind and soul.

The rural charm, warm hospitality and the various activities offered in the region attracts tourists all around the world. The region holds the highest concentration of spa and well-being establishments in the Alps, as well as a huge choice of accommodation, from five-star superior hotels to cosy bed & breakfasts, to suit every taste and budget.

In winter time cross country skiing enthusiast can enjoy a vast, around 245-kilometre-long network of immaculately groomed tracks for both skating and classic technique. For the alpine skier, sun-drenched ski slopes, state-of-the-art lift facilities and a second-to-none mountain panorama guarantee a pure skiing experience. Tobogganing, ice skating and many other fun activities ensure that your winter trip is one you’ll remember for a long time to come.

Read more here.

Seefeld has hosted the Olympic Nordic disciplines no less than three times – in 1964, 1976 and 2012. It was the venue for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1985, and Seefeld organises the Nordic World Cup on an annual basis. Following the success of 1985, the Olympiaregion Seefeld has been selected as the venue for the Nordic World Ski Championships in 2019, and the region is incredibly proud to be able to host the prestigious Nordic sporting event taking place the 19th of February to the 3rd of March 2019.

Read more here.