Gatineau Loppet

A festive atmosphere reigned today as Gatineau Park’s cross-country ski trails came alive with Gatineau Loppet racers. Close to 1,300 of them lined up at the starting line on this first day of competition, 300 more than on the first day last year. The 51 km classic had reached its quota of 547 skiers by Friday. The excellent trail conditions and ideal temperatures made for a beautiful combination.
The first two classic styles to simultaneously kick off today’s event were the 51 km from P17 in Wakefield, and the 27 km from École secondaire Mont-Bleu. The 51 km classic was back again this year as a linear race to the great delight of all the skiers.

SWIX 51 KM CLASSIC RESULTS Men 1st Place Colin Abbott (2:35:13.6) Whitehorse, CAN 2nd Place Chris Ziegler (2:39:27.6) Winooski, USA 3rd Place James Coulton (2:42:31.2) Westmount, CAN We would like to mention that Pierre Lavoie, the Honorary President of the Gatineau Loppet, finished the 51 km classic in 10th place. Women 1st Place Marlis Kromm (3:03:01.7) Calgary, CAN 2nd Place Robyn Anderson (3:10:21.9) Stowe, USA 3rd Place Annie Jean (3:17:48.3) Chelsea, CAN

OTTO’S BMW / Subaru 27 KM CLASSIC RESULTS Men 1st Place Nicholas Pigeon (1:30:45.2) Gatineau, CAN 2nd Place Eloi Lemay (1:32:28.0) Lavaltrie, CAN 3rd Place Aaron Fahey (1:32:41.5) Chelsea, CAN Women 1st Place Sophie Carrier-Laforte (1:41:55.2) Gatineau, CAN 2nd Place Ellen Helker-Nygren (1:54:12.2) Toronto, CAN 3rd Place Chloe Selerier (1:57:35:.3) Gatineau, CAN
BFL CANADA 15 KM CLASSIC RESULTS Men 1st Place Sam Weichel (54:38.4) Southampton, CAN 2nd Place Bryce Hartman (54:52.5) Seranac Lake, USA 3rd Place Tony Biernacki (54:57.9) Pembroke, CAN
Women 1st Place Florence Dostie-Menard (58:42.3) Gatineau, CAN 2nd Place Zoe Williams (58:57.0) Cantley, CAN 3rd Place Laura Leclair (59 :00.2) Chelsea, CAN

METRO NEWS 5 KM CLASSIC RESULTS Men 1st Place Andrew Hayman (16:23.4) Dunrobin, CAN 2nd Place Mykal Bakker-Westeinde(16:26.5 Chelsea, CAN 3rd Place Philippe Turcanu (17:00.3) Ottawa, CAN Women 1st Place Molly Marland (17:37.2) Ottawa, CAN 2nd Place Karly Coyne (17:52.0) Canmore, CAN 3rd Place Mélanie Jones (17:58.4) Canmore, CAN

“We would like to congratulate the winners and thank all of the many skiers for having taken part in this first day of competition,” announced Gatineau Loppet President Yan Michaud. It is worth noting that tomorrow’s freestyle races will start at 9 a.m. from École secondaire Mont-Bleu, as will the snowshoe races, a new feature this year. There will be entertainment all day long with, among others, the Carnaval Soleil Polaire, the XC Ski Show, and a conference by Pierre Lavoie starting at 1:30 p.m.
For additional information, consult the Gatineau Loppet Web site at www.gatineauloppet.com.