Minus 26° centigrade: that was the temperature measured at Nurmolitsy, in the heart of Karelia, on the occasion of the eighth Open Karelia which took placefrom 26 to 30 January. Easily reached from Saint Petersburg, on the other side of Lake Ladoga, this region of wilderness forests and frozen lakes is ideal terrain for the hundred or so snowmobiling specialists to show their mettle in this friendly international competition sponsored by Motul Russia.
This year, in addition to the traditional individual andteam Cross-Country and Enduro events, the organisers came up with a new idea allowing the public toget closer to the participants and admire their dexterity in deep snow. Next to the village of Nurmolitsy, on an open track on the edge of the snow covered pines,the riders gave spectacular demonstrations, just like Freestyle specialist Jussi Pennamen, performing a succession of rapid leaps and turns while raising high billows of powdery snow.
The start and arrival of the Sprint-Cross race also took place close to the spectators who were duly warmed up by the friendly atmosphere of these few days of delights. Even children could take part, in the events reserved for them.
