# @mnworldcup on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CAf8tMLJxD2
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/54320015-mnworldcup-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0d4655fc6c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-05-22T17:52:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** MN Cross Country Ski World Cup (@mnworldcup) — https://gondola.cc/mnworldcup

## Caption

The World Cup Organizing Committee Leadership Team (Mike Bono, Matt Hedman, Jill Sonnesyn, Raquel Counihan, Doug DeBold, Tom Ajax, Carla Pardue, Dan Ness, and Corey Brinkema) received the 2020 Spirit of the Loppet Award for Adventure!
.
When the idea of a World Cup at Wirth Park arose, it was clear that it was going to take an effort unlike anything seen at the Loppet or on the World Cup circuit. There were literally hundreds of volunteers who contributed to the World Cup effort. As leaders of the effort, these nine intrepid folks stepped willingly into the unknown, putting in THOUSANDS of volunteer hours over two years.
.
Organizing Committee Chair Mike Bono attributes the committee's experience to the quote “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” He said, "There were many aspects of the World Cup that were entirely new to the organizing volunteers: setting up the credential process to ensure that only authorized personnel were allowed in certain areas of the park; designing signage throughout the entire park; and setting up the venue for international TV production with all the camera positions and marketing banners strategically placed around the sprint course, to name a few.”
.
“We learned many new things and were inspired by a great team of dedicated volunteers. For some it was a time of personal growth. It was a journey that expanded our horizons and took us down uncharted paths. Many members of the leadership team had organized elite races at Wirth Park in the past – Masters World Cup, Super Tours, International Paralympic Cup – but the required infrastructure and logistics of a FIS World Cup event were new and at first daunting.”
.
“After two years of planning, it all became real when the Crystal Globes which are given to the World Cup sprint champions arrived at Wirth. When the grandstands went up and the wax trailers filled the parking lot, we knew we were getting close. Although it didn’t end the way we’d hoped, the team will savor and never forget this amazing journey."
.
The World Cup effort was only possible because of the support of our community. Help us continue our work to bring the best parts of skiing to MN by donating at Loppet.org/Give

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 258
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 3

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MN Cross Country Ski World Cup | @mnworldcup | https://gondola.cc/mnworldcup | Event |
| Heidi MacIntyre | @heidlynn | https://gondola.cc/heidlynn | Social Media Manager |

---
Copyright (c) Gondola