Winter may not yet be officially here, but local cross-country skiers are thrilled with the sneak preview. They have been out in force in Gatineau Park, enjoying the delightful gift of snow over the last few days: just in time to set the mood for the official launch of the 36th edition of the Gatineau Loppet, the biggest cross-country skiing event in Canada, which will run from February 14 to 16, 2014.
New for 2014
For its 36th edition, the Gatineau Loppet will once again feature
eight races for every level of skier. The Saturday will be dedicated to
the classic style, with the 5 km Metro News, 15 km BFL Canada, 27 km
Otto’s BMW Ottawa and the 51 km linear race, which this year will start
at P17 in Wakefield. Gatineau Loppet President Yan Michaud points out
that “the linear race was a tremendous success last year, and is eagerly
awaited again this year.” On the Sunday, February 16, there will be the
freestyle mini Sport Échange Outaouais (2 km), 10 km, 27 km and 51 km
Polar. The races sanctioned by Cross Country Canada are the 51 km
classic style and the 51 km Polar freestyle.
This year once again,
the Gatineau Loppet is innovating and featuring new courses, but this
time, it is also bringing in snowshoes to round out the winter
experience for outdoor buffs. “We decided to open up the Gatineau Loppet
and make it not only for cross-country skiers but also for snowshoers,”
indicated Mr. Michaud. There will be three courses for the first time
this year: 2.5 km (initiation), 5 km (presented by raquettes GV) and 10
km (presented by Atlas).
Pierre Lavoie as Honorary President
The Gatineau Loppet is tremendously proud to welcome Pierre
Lavoie, known as The Man with a Big Heart and an Iron Will, as its
Honorary President. Pierre, a determined and committed athlete, has
taken part in several Ironman competitions, winning three times in his
age category. In 1999, he launched the first Défi Pierre Lavoie in
Saguenay Lac St-Jean (cycling 650 km in 24 hours) to raise money for
lactic acidosis research, a disease that claimed the lives of two of his
children. Nearly 10 years later, Pierre launched the Grand Défi Pierre
Lavoie to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity for youth.
This year, he joins the Gatineau Loppet, and invites all local youth to
come out and get moving in the Mini sport Échange Outaouais, and to make
some “energy ice cubes!” (One energy cube = 15 minutes of physical
activity.)
Registrations for 2014
The President of the Gatineau Loppet wants to remind everyone
that “registrations are currently under way, and there has already been a
25% increase in the number of skiers registered compared to this time
in previous years.” Cross-country skiers still have the chance to take
advantage of the lower registration fees. There will be various
promotions until December 15, 2013, and fees will rise starting on
January 15, 2014. Wouldn’t that make a nice Christmas present?
The
Gatineau Loppet wants to thank its partners, Ville de Gatineau, Polar,
Otto’s BMW, Swix, Services récréatifs Demsis, Fontaine Santé, BFL
Canada, Fischer, Metro News, Sport Échange Outaouais, Sportstats,
Superior Propane, Chelsea Pub, Biscotti, Raquettes GV, Atlas,
Développement économique - CLD Gatineau, Government of Québec, the
National Capital Commission (NCC) and Winterlude.
For details about the event, visit the Gatineau Loppet Web site at www.gatineauloppet.com.
Contributed by: Gatineau Loppet