Åre trip - Day 1 (drive, Falun)

Here we go! By far the best trip of my Swedish life so far! We decided to go skiing to Åre ski resort, where the 2007 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships took place! And where Sarka Zahrobska won her first gold world cup medal!! We booked a discount package that included 4-night accommodation and 3-day skipass. 8 people, 2 cars rented from Hertz (you always book Ford Focus and they always give you Volvos), 2 days of driving, 3 days of skiing. Sounds good, eh?

Our Åre team:
From the left - Mathias (SUI), Mauro (ITA), Sarah (NZL), me, Stephanie (SUI), Zuzka, Davide (ITA), Anicka.


Day 1 plan: 850km drive from Jönköping to Åre with a stop in Falun.

This is what I call luck. After we booked our stay in Åre, I randomly found out that on the weekend when we were supposed to go to Åre, there was a season's last cross country skiing world cup race in Falun. Moreover, with the Czech national superhero Katka Neumannova taking part! On top of that, it was supposed to be the last race of her magnificent career!! I found one supporter (Anicka never fails when you need her!) and we persuaded the rest of the team to stop in Falun on the way to Åre.

Our cars. / Me, Ani, Volvo C30.


The day before we left (Saturday), Katka finished 2nd in the individual 15km race. We were well prepared to cheer for her in her last race - 4 x 5 ladies relay. We arrived late, after the start of the race, me and Ani bought tickets for 100:- (the rest stayed outside and waited for us) and run to the track. After the skiers passed us by for the first time, we still weren't sure where the Czech team is in the standings and if Katka is running. After they came again after 10 minutes, we realized there is no Czech team in the race:). They didn't show up, because they had only 3 out of 4 skiers ready for the relay.. Heart-breaking.. But anyway, who can say that he visited World Cup event where Katka Neumannova finished her career the day before? Katko diky!

Remember the picture from my floorball trip to Falun? Find one snow difference.


Eager to see Katka!


'Is this Czech skier?' / 'No, maybe it's one of those..'


Intense. / Swedes are crazy about floorball..


Quite a lot of spectators. / Ok, why the hell there is no Czech team on the board?


Battle for victory. (Germany won)


Battle for 3rd.


Picture of the day! Photofinish.


Car 1. / Car 2.



Reindeers!


Getting closer..


Arrival! Impressive appartment for 8 people, probably built because of the world cup.


Bathroom with private sauna. / Living room and kitchen.


Zuzkazruska & Mauro. / Me & VID (Very Important Davide).


Åre team again. Don't try to find one difference, there isn't any.


To be continued..