Brazil Skier Trains for Kortelopet 2025

We reached out to Leonardo from Brazil to tell his story on how he started cross-country skiing and what brought him to the Birkie. Read his story below. 

“Although I live in a tropical country, I have been exposed to skiing since I was a teen – when I lived in Switzerland. But only last year I got hooked to XC-skiing after a trip to Finland and an Arctic blast made me think twice about going uphill and I saw those guys sheltered from the cold, among the trees, seemingly comfortable going up and down the slopes. Since then I took part in the Ushuaia loppet (Argentina) in 2023 (21k) and 2024 (42k), and also raced the Dobbiaco-Cortina (Italy – 42k) and Yllas-Levi (Finland – 55k) in 2024.  

I am a long distance trail runner, and XC-skiing really appeals to me since there is very little strain on your knees and hips compared to trail running. Am looking forward for a busy week in February since I registered for the Gatineau loppet (Canada), as well as the Birkie open and the main Birkie race as well.  

Only now I am getting to know other skiers around the world, through Facebook and Youtube. Last year I got to know Grant McLeod from Canada, we might meet at the Birkie, it was he who told me about the race. I also connected with a Brazilian girl who is actually a Biathlon Olympic trainer and athlete, and lives in Brasilia – where I live. She is now my coach. I train in Brazil with my roller-skis and work out at the gym and trail running (since so many muscle groups overlap with XC-skiing, especially the Classic technique)”.

Posted January 24, 2025 at 9:50 am