Skiing: Brotherly love sidelined for 42km

Ben Koons competed for NZ at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Photo / Getty Images

There is nothing like sibling rivalry and the Koons brothers will look to settle bragging rights on the cross-country skiing trails at the Snow Farm today at the 15th anniversary of the Merino Muster.

Good mates Ben, 24, and Nils Koons, 21, train all the time together but they line up in a competitive event for the first time in two years in the endurance event (42km) of the cross-country skiing.

"I like to think I am one of the favourites," said Ben who competed for New Zealand at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

"But I know that my brother will be right there ... I'll be looking for him.

"He is no slouch and he beat me the last time we raced and he reminds me of that often.

"Nothing has changed for a long time between me and Nils - we always want to beat each other."

And as you'd expect the feeling is mutual for his younger sibling.

"Totally," he said.

"Doesn't every younger brother want to show up their older bro? I think that is just the way it is.

"It's good we have a healthy respect for each other without being too competitive."

The brothers have a noticeable American accent - their family moved to the United States nine years ago.

They explained that this period in the cross-country skiing calendar is considered as "the summer season" as the world's best gear up for the World Championship in Oslo, Norway in February.

New Zealand will send up to six (four men, two women) cross-country skiers to the event where the selection criteria are based on performances at home and abroad.

"The Merino Muster is a significant race to begin the season well," added Ben.

"Although it is not an official qualifying race there is plenty of pride on the line."

Both of the brothers work at the Snow Farm, above the Cardrona Valley. They are keen on the 42km endurance race as it includes all of the trails at the scenic venue.

They have seen growth in the sport and an increase in international visitors, including the highly rated Canadian and American teams, since the Snow Farm has been established.

The brothers also believe their rivalry is a key part of their success and a way to take the sport to a new level here in New Zealand.

"It is not until you go to Europe or the States that you realise how big Nordic skiing is," said Nils, who spent a year studying and skiing in Norway.

"There are so many great athletes and the bar is raised when you leave New Zealand, Ben and I try to keep each other honest."

Also keeping them honest is colleague Andy Pohl and Nat Anglem, both highly ranked members of the National Team.

"I am in love with the sport and I have improved out of sight the past few seasons," said Pohl, who trains 16-20 hours per week.

He is attending university in Canada this year which clashes with the World Championship in Norway but he will be in competition in the Canadian National Series.

"Four of the top 10 guys in the world come from Canada so I want to learn from them and build towards qualifying for Sochi [Japan, Winter Olympics 2014]," said the 21-year-old.

But there is more to the Muster than the elite level as around 150 athletes line up in the three divisions; the 42km, 21km and 7km ski races.

Ray O'Brien, the ski manager at the Snow Farm, who speaks with a broad Scottish accent, said he believed the sport is tailor-made for Kiwis.

"Kiwis pride themselves on getting on with it and cross-country skiing really appeals to that," said O'Brien.

"Nordic skiers are a little different to the alpine skiers in that they don't mind what colour ski suit they are wearing or what labels their gear is.

"Whether it is elite or at the participation level there is a great escapism of enjoying the back country."

The Snow Farm hosts many top international events.

The aim is for the Merino Muster to be added to the Worldloppet Series - the international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons.

For that to happen the Merino Muster needs higher participation to increase the profile of cross-country skiing in New Zealand and will need greater funds.

There is a Mini Muster is designed to increase participation and interest in the sport from a young age.

"We want the whole family to give it a go," said O'Brien.

The Mini Muster is a 200m track where all the kids get a chocolate bar at the finish line and there is no placing.

"It is all about progression, we want to see these kids move on to the 7km and from there to the 21km and onwards to the main event the 42km endurance race," he said. "If guys like the Koons brothers and Andy can give the sport a profile from the international arena then that would be the boost that we need."

Merino Muster
New Zealand's largest cross-country skiing event.
* About 150 athletes compete in three divisions; the 42km, 21km and 7km ski races.
* The long-term goal is to be included in the Worldloppet Series which is 14 international events that attract 50,000 skiers.