The snow queen: Pippa Middleton joins thousands of skiers in Sweden cross-country charity race
- Sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa finished in position 412 in the women's race
By Jill Reilly
Last updated at 3:33 PM on 4th March 2012
Pippa Middleton's famous fitness regime stood her in good stead for today's cross-country race and she crossed the finish line in 412th place.
The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, finished the traditional Swedish ski marathon in an impressive 7:13:36.
Pippa and her brother James, who clocked 06:47:27, were competing in the Vasaloppet race in sunny conditions, alongside 15,800 competitors to raise money for the children's charity Magic Breakfast.
However, Pippa lost the royal battle to Denmark's Crown Prince Fredrik who completed the course in 6:36:32 to finish in 5,530th place in the men's race.
Raring to go: Pippa Middleton arrives at the start of the Vasaloppet Cross Country Ski Race in Salen this morning to raise money for charity
Helping hand: James Middleton, who is competing alongside Pippa, zips up his sister at the start of race while she chats to a fellow racer
Pippa, wrote on her charity page: 'My brother and I are raising money for Magic Breakfast, a small registered charity that fights child hunger through breakfast clubs'
Pippa, an avid athlete, wrote on her JustGiving.com donation website: 'My brother and I are raising money for Magic Breakfast, a small registered charity that fights child hunger through breakfast clubs and delivering free breakfasts (bagels, cereal, juice and porridge) to thousands of state primary school children in the UK particularly our inner cities.'
The competition is one of the world's oldest cross-country races and is based on Gustav Vasa's attempt to gather peasants for a revolt against occupying Danes in 1522.
Vasa fled after failing to gain support, but the Mora locals changed their minds and sent their best skiers to bring him back.
It stretches from the village of Salen near the Norwegian border to the central town of Mora.
Jorgen Brink of Sweden set a course record in winning the 56-mile Vasaloppet cross-country ski marathon.
It was Brink's third consecutive win in the race.
He clocked 3 hours, 38.41 minutes, beating compatriot Daniel Tynell, who finished second, and Stanislav Rezac of the Czech Republic in third.
The ideal snow conditions also helped Vibeke Skofterud of Norway set a course record in the women's race, which she won in 4:08.24, ahead of Laila Kveli of Norway and Seraina Boner of Switzerland.
Up to the start line: Pippa Middleton has a chat with a fellow race goer before setting off on the charity challenge
Gaining speed: She proved to be an accomplished ski and looked at home on the slopes
Pippa stopped for a drink during the race and looked in good spirits when she took off again
Congratulatory kiss: As she approached the finish line, Pippa was kissed by an unidentified man and she looked down smiling
All for a good cause: The famous siblings were happy to pose for photos with fellow racers
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2110036/Pippa-Middleton-joins-thousands-skiers-Sweden-cross-country-charity-race.html#ixzz1oCE3Xir4
