XVII traditional international Ski-track of Friendship between the countries of Barents region will take place on 16 March 2013

March 12, 2013 Physical Culture and Sports Committee of Murmansk region organized a press conference on the traditional international mass ski race Ski-track of Friendship, which is going to be held on on 16 March 2013.

"Opening and start of Ski-track of Friendship according to the long tradition takes place near Rayakoski HPP, and power engineering specialists are responsible for the ski line on the Russian side and for a number of organizational issues, — said the chief engineer of the Kolsky branch of TGC-1 Alexandr Novikov. — This year it is enough snow, and now we are finishing preparations of the trail".

Rayakoski is a unique place. This is a Russian settlement with a Finnish name, built by Finns and Norwegians, and it is the northern point of the world, where the borders of three countries are placed. Rayakoski population is about 300 people. Almost all of them are employees of hydropower station. For the residents Ski-track of Friendship is a special event, which they wait throughout the year. "We cooperate with Finland and Norway in the field of energy and border control, so the race for us  is a symbol of our common efforts, a symbol of mutual understanding and friendship between three countries," — said Alexandr Novikov.

Ski-track of Friendship is held annually since 1995. Race distance is 12.5 miles. Competitions are opened by the race between border guards of Russia, Finland and Norway, then run all other participants.

Popularity of Ski-track of Friendship is growing, partly thanks to Border Administration of the FSB of Russian Federation in Murmansk region, the municipal administration of Pechengsky region and management of Pazskiye HPPs cascade.