The Gatineau Loppet organizing committee is just completing the final preparations as it gets ready to officially open the doors to École secondaire Mont-Bleu at 5 p.m., and to welcome the thousands of skiers from around the region and from 20 other countries around the world. The 37th edition of the biggest cross-country skiing event in Canada will be taking place in Gatineau Park this weekend, which will be filled with races for not only elite but all levels of skiers.
Gatineau Loppet President Yan Michaud wants to reassure skiers about the trail conditions in the Park. “The snowfall over the last few weeks has lifted everyone’s spirits, and we currently have excellent skiing conditions on the trails used for the Gatineau Loppet. The track setters are doing a great job keeping the trails at world class levels.” There are still spots available for the different races, and you can register on-site anytime.
The weekend’s schedule is as follows:
Friday, February 13:
5 to 9 p.m. Opening of the XC Ski Show and of on-site registration
6 and 7 p.m. Waxing clinic at the XC Ski Show
Saturday, February 14: Classic style day
6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. XC Ski Show, Après-ski chez Lili and registration
7:45 a.m. Buses depart for Wakefield (P17)
9 a.m. The 51 km race starts in Wakefield (P17)
The 27 km race starts at Mont-bleu
11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Post-race meal
Noon to 3 p.m. Music at Après-Ski chez Lili
1 p.m. The 15 km starts
1:10 p.m. The 5 km starts
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Awards ceremony at the XC Ski Show
3:30 p.m. Waxing clinic at the XC Ski Show
3:30 p.m. The Super Sprint Jeunesse starts in Chelsea
4:30 to 6 p.m. The Worldloppet Cocktail in the Agora
Sunday, February 15: Freestyle (skating) and snowshoe day
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. XC Ski Show, Après-ski chez Lili and registration
9 a.m. The 27 km and 51 km races start
11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Post-race meal
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carnaval Soleil Polaire
Noon Mini Sport Échange Outaouais starts
1 p.m. The 10 km race starts
Pierre Lavoie’s presentation under the big top
1:30 p.m. The 2.5, 5 and 10 km snowshoe races start
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Awards ceremony at the XC Ski Show
All skiers taking part in the 51 km classic style have to be at École secondaire Mont-Bleu on Saturday morning, ready to board the bus by 7:30 a.m. The buses will be parked in front of the school and identified by wave: A-B-C-D-E. Under no conditions will skiers be permitted to park their cars at the P17 parking in Wakefield.
Finally, we would like to remind you that tomorrow evening, the Gatineau Loppet, at the traditional Worldloppet Cocktail, will induct Ed Cottell into its Veterans Club. The purpose of this club is to recognize the participants who have taken part in at least 35 middle or long distance Gatineau Loppet races. The Gatineau Loppet organizing committee will also be inducting Evelyne Stone into the Legend’s Path (hall of fame). The Legend’s Path pays tribute to the individuals or organizations connected to the Gatineau Loppet that have marked it or have helped spread the word about the Loppet itself or cross-country skiing in general.
The Gatineau Loppet wants to thank its partners, namely Ville de Gatineau, Swix, Otto’s BMW/Subaru, Demsis Recreational Services, Fontaine Santé, Fischer, Sport Échange Outaouais, Chelsea Pub, Biscotti, Gainsbourg, Raquettes Atlas, Advanced Fuel, Xact Nutrition, Metro News, Le Droit, Espaces plein-air, Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, Tourisme Outaouais, Développement économique – CLD Gatineau, the National Capital Commission (NCC), Winterlude, the Crowne Plaza and the Ramada Plaza Manoir du Casino. For additioanl information, visit the Gatineau Loppet Web site: gatineauloppet.com.
