Cross-country skiers from all over the world descended on the Snow Farm at the Pisa Range for a day of racing in an event that welcomes everyone from top athletes to novices, featuring courses ranging from 42km to 7km and a separate event for children.
Event director Mary Lee said a surge of bad weather on Friday evening had given organisers a sleepless night, but conditions on the day could not have been better.
While international names dominated the 42km race, the top rankings in both the men’s and women’s 21km races were nabbed by competitors from Wānaka.
The annual Merino Muster event recognises Snow Farm’s history as a merino sheep farm and the ‘‘mustering’’ of sheep from the top of the mountain that would take place before the onset of winter.
