Winter’s knocking at the door! Local skiers are thrilled at the sight of the first snowfall of the last few days and the prospect of the upcoming cross-country season in Gatineau Park. The Gatineau Loppet organizing committee is all ready to tackle the 37th edition of the biggest cross-country ski event in Canada, which will be taking place on February 13, 14 and 15, 2015.
Hoping for more of the same
Everyone is looking forward to more of the same for this 37th edition weekend. Gatineau Loppet President Yan Michaud indicates that “the last few years have been excellent in terms of new features, registrations and course enhancements. This is why, for 2015, we have decided to focus on perfecting the event’s different features, particularly the newer ones that were introduced over the past few years. We want to offer skiers an unforgettable and enriching experience at the Gatineau Loppet.” Thus, both participants and the organizing committee are eagerly anticipating the return in 2015 of the 51 km classic linear race starting from Wakefield (which, we remind you, was sold out for the 2014 edition, and for which there will be limited space in 2015), the snowshoe races, the Chelsea Super Sprint Jeunesse, the canadian long distance loppet championship (51 km classic), the carnaval soleil polaire and the return of Pierre Lavoie as the Honorary President of the event.
2015 races
There will be eight races, offering something for every level of skier at the 37th edition of the Gatineau Loppet. On Saturday, February 14 (classic style day), skiers will have a choice between the 5 km, 15 km, 27 km Otto’s BMW/Subaru and the 51 km Swix linear. On Sunday, February 15 (freestyle day), there will be the Mini Sport Échange Outaouais (2 km), the 10 km, the 27 km and the 51 km, as well as three snowshoe races presented by Atlas (2.5 km initiation, 5 km and 10 km). For this 37th edition, the races sanctioned by Cross Country Canada will be the 51 km classic style and the 51 km freestyle.
Pierre Lavoie as Honorary President
The Gatineau Loppet is very proud to welcome for a second year in a row Pierre Lavoie as Honorary President. A determined and committed athlete, in 1999, Pierre Lavoie launched the first Défi Pierre Lavoie in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (650 km in 24 hours) in order to raise funds for research on lactic acidosis. Nearly 10 years later, Pierre followed up with the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, whose mission is to encourage and support physical activity and healthy eating among children aged 6 to 12. And now, he is inviting local youth to get in the groove with him as part of the Mini Sport Échange Outaouais on Sunday, February 15.
Registrations for 2015
The President of the Gatineau Loppet wants to remind everyone that “registration is underway, and already the numbers are up 50% over last year.” Cross-country skiers wishing to sign up for the Gatineau Loppet can still do so and take advantage of lower fees. There will be a number of promotions until December 15, 2014, but after January 18, 2015 fees will be going up. Please note that the 51 km linear classic was full for the 2014 edition, and spots are limited for 2015.
The Gatineau Loppet wants to thank its partners, namely Ville de Gatineau, the Government of Quebec, Tourisme Outaouais, the National Capital Commission (NCC), Swix, Otto’s BMW/Subaru, Services récréatifs Demsis, Fischer, Fontaine Santé, Metro News, Sport Échange Outaouais, the Chelsea Pub, Biscotti, Gainsbourg, Espaces magazine, Fruit2 and Advanced Fuel, as well as our two official hotels, the Crowne Plaza and the Ramada Manoir Casino.
For details about the event, visit the Gatineau Loppet Web site at www.gatineauloppet.com.
