She has already proved her athletic prowess with tough physical challenges including a 50-mile endurance race.
Yesterday Pippa Middleton upped the stakes by joining one of the toughest cross-country skiing events in the world.
The 28-year-old – who had never done any cross-country skiing before – braved sub-zero temperatures during the 56-mile challenge in Western Sweden.
And one local who hands the winner a wreath, proved the envy of many men, planting a kiss on her cheek at the end of the course.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister joined 15,800 other skiers for the race between Salen and Mora, including her brother James. And sweating it out on skis doesn’t mean sartorial standards have to slip.
Miss Middleton, who turned up with immaculate hair and make-up, started the race with a white hat, but ended it in a fetching orange one, which was co-ordinated with her sunglasses and shoes.
She crossed the finish line after seven hours, 13 minutes and 36 seconds – described by veterans as a ‘very impressive’ time.
And when asked if she minded finishing 26 minutes behind her brother, she replied: ‘No, that was probably fair.’
The party planner explained she had ‘never really skied cross-country before’, but said she and James, 23, had done ‘lots of fitness training’ in the UK to prepare for the race, as well as two weekends spent skiing in Switzerland.
During the race – much of which was uphill – Miss Middleton stopped to drink the local blabarsoppa, or blueberry soup, a drink handed out to racers which is said to boost energy.
Per Strid, a spokesman for the Vasaloppet race, one of the oldest events of its kind in the world, said: ‘I must congratulate Pippa – she had a fantastic performance. What she achieved was really impressive for a first timer. She was obviously very fit and in very good shape.’
The Middletons were raising money for the Magic Breakfast charity, which provides a pre-school meal to poor inner-city children in the UK. So far they have raised nearly £7,500 for the cause.
Yesterday Pippa Middleton upped the stakes by joining one of the toughest cross-country skiing events in the world.
The 28-year-old – who had never done any cross-country skiing before – braved sub-zero temperatures during the 56-mile challenge in Western Sweden.
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| Pipa Middleton kissed by Fellow Admire |
The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister joined 15,800 other skiers for the race between Salen and Mora, including her brother James. And sweating it out on skis doesn’t mean sartorial standards have to slip.
Miss Middleton, who turned up with immaculate hair and make-up, started the race with a white hat, but ended it in a fetching orange one, which was co-ordinated with her sunglasses and shoes.
She crossed the finish line after seven hours, 13 minutes and 36 seconds – described by veterans as a ‘very impressive’ time.
 |
| Pipa Midelton |
The party planner explained she had ‘never really skied cross-country before’, but said she and James, 23, had done ‘lots of fitness training’ in the UK to prepare for the race, as well as two weekends spent skiing in Switzerland.
During the race – much of which was uphill – Miss Middleton stopped to drink the local blabarsoppa, or blueberry soup, a drink handed out to racers which is said to boost energy.
 |
| Pipa Midelton |
The Middletons were raising money for the Magic Breakfast charity, which provides a pre-school meal to poor inner-city children in the UK. So far they have raised nearly £7,500 for the cause.
