The Gatineau Loppet is pleased to announce that the first wave of its 55 km classic style race will be sanctioned by Cross-Country Canada (CCC), allowing Canadian and international long distance skiers to collect points for the Canadian Points List. Last year, the CCC sanction was given to the 51 km freestyle but will be attributed to the 55 km classic race this year. “This change has been decided to promote the new linear 55 km classic course starting at Lake Philippe that will be introduced in 2013 for the Gatineau Loppet’s 35th edition!, explains Yan Michaud, President of the Gatineau Loppet. To highlight the importance and the seriousness of the elite program in the event, all skiers taking part in the 55 km classic race’s first wave must provide one of the following licenses: FIS license, a license issued by a national Federation (e.g. international competitors), a CCC Racing license or a Cross-Country Canada Supporting Member’s License (day license). The Gatineau Loppet will offer prizes to both the top three men and women of this new 55 km classic style race. First place will receive $ 1,200, second $ 600 and third $ 200. For any question concerning the licenses, prizes or elite program, please visit the Gatineau Loppet Website at www.gatineauloppet.com or write us at info@gatineauloppet.com.

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The Gatineau Loppet has a rich history of bringing some of the very best distance racers from Canada and the world to the Gatineau area. This is a tradition that the Gatineau Loppet would like to see continue! Some famous past winners among the men include Pauli Siitonen, Orjan Blomqvist, Stanislav Rezac, and Pierre Harvey. Although he never won, Bill Koch was another well-known skier who has raced the Gatineau Loppet.
Women winners include national team members such as Marie-Andree Masson, Angela Schmidt-Foster, Dasha Gaïazova, and Jane Vincent and international competitors such as Muffy Ritz, Maria Theurl and Gudrun Pfluger.
The Gatineau Loppet is managed by Groupe Simoncic, an events management firm that also runs the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, the Festival franco-ontarien, the Franco-Fête de Toronto, the St Albert Festival de la Curd and the 2013 World Scout Moot.

Contributed by: Gatineau Loppet