Ben Popp elected president of Worldloppet ski federation

American Birkebeiner Executive Director Ben Popp has been elected president of the Worldloppet International Ski Federation. The Worldloppet member delegates voted this past week at their annual summit in Sapporo, Japan, the venue of Sapporo Ski Marathon.

Ben Popp replaces Juha Viljamaa from Lahti, Finland, who has been the representing face of the Worldloppet organization and the global cross-country skiing community for the past 8 years. During the 2016 Annual Summit in Lahti, he was elected as President of the Worldloppet International Ski Federation and served for two terms.

The Birkie plays a big role for the Federation, as Wisconsin is the place of birth of the Worldloppet concept back in 1978.

With the election of Ben Popp as Worldloppet President for the upcoming four years, the relation between Worldloppet and the American Birkebeiner will be even stronger.

“Worldloppet is coming home to Wisconsin now. I am honored being the new president and I am excited to bring amazing opportunities to all skiers around the world.”, said Popp.

The Worldloppet is an international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons, founded in June 10, 1978, in Uppsala, Sweden.

The aim of Worldloppet is to promote the sport of cross-country skiing by focusing on popular skiing through the various ski races around the world.

Only one and the best ski marathon from a country can be a member of Worldloppet.

Popp’s plan to move the federation forward is focused around four pillars: adaptation, unification, collaboration and growth.

Worldloppet currently unites 20 long-distance ski races from Europe, America, Asia and Oceania.