News

Paddy Field (GBR)

Paddy was one of the most active Technical Delegates in the Worldloppet winters over the past decades.

As a long time chairman of FIS popular sub-committee he was was the connection between FIS, Worldloppet & organizers. He was also the the force behind foundation of the FIS Marathon Cup and Worldcups held during Worldloppet races like Marcialonga, Birkebeinerrennet and Vasaloppet.

He has founded the London Region Nordic Ski Club and plays a big role in Great Britain’s popular cross-country skiing.

Here comes our interview with the Brithis xc-skiing legend and Mr. Technical Delegate, Paddy Field:

Gunnar: Paddy, congrats to your 90th birthday! Wow, what an age. When was your last skiing session and how long was it?

Paddy: My last racing ski was in the Vasa Staffetvasan relay in 2014, 10 kms from Oxberg to Hokberg in 54 mins 6 seconds.

Are you still participating in ski races?

No, sadly not, I retired after my leg of the Staffetvasan relay.

You are multiple Worldloppet Master, you skied numerous marathons. What is your most impressive memory of all the decades in cross-country skiing?

My most enduring memory is of the first ski race I ever did along with my wife Hilary, the 1977 two day Canadian Ski Marathon in the Gatineau Hills near Ottawa.

How come, that a British man becomes a key person in popular cross-country skiing? Was it you or your wife – who became first British Worldloppet Master – who started with the interest in skiing? 

We moved to Ottawa in the late 1970s on a RAF (Royal Air Force) posting and I took up skiing there as I had been a middle distance athlete at home but could not continue that all year round in Canada. My wife became the first GB Worldloppet Master. Although we started the skiing together overtime I moved more into the admin support side of the sport becoming and officiating as a Race Technical Delegate (TD) for over 2 decades. As a family we have collected no less than 9 Worldloppet Master awards. Hilary has 5, I have 3, and daughter Lorraine has one.

Tell us a little bit about skiing in Great Britain. Are there resorts? Are there even races or marathons taking place? 

No, sadly we don’t have any resorts in England but there are a few in Scotland. We don’t have any on snow races as such but we do have a lot of roller ski clubs and a GB roller ski series of races and a Championship. Come and join us one weekend here in London!

At your age, you are still quite active. What is the secret to stay fit and mobile until such an age? 

I would say that regular exercise is very important and so much the better when combined with a sport because that keeps you in touch with younger people and helps to keep you ‘young at heart’.

You are involved with popular cross-country skiing for several decades now. What do you think are the big problems/topics to solve and think about in the near future? 

Undoubtedly global warming is the biggest issue, sadly already leading to race cancellations and even loss of some lower altitude ski centres. Where possible races may well have to move to higher centres.

Worldloppet always played an important role for you. How do you see Worldloppet’s role in the world of cross-country skiing?

As ever I see the most important aspect of Worldloppet is that it attracts recreational skiers into racing thereby broadening their experience and skills mixed in with some healthy international socialising both on and off the tracks! Let’s not forget that the Worldloppet series of races attracts over 100,000 ski racers a year.

What are your next goals? 

Amongst others, to continue to be involved with the sport and hope that I might be lucky enough to find something like an advisory role within Worldloppet for example.

Thanks Paddy for your time. Hope to see you soon again at a Worldloppet race.