March 9, 2006 – Members of the organizing committee of the 2006 Desjardins’ Canadian cross-country ski Championships can be proud of themselves for undertaking such an ambitious challenge, coordinating this kind of sporting event after only the fourth year of existence of the Centre de plein air Mouski.

This winter celebration has attracted nearly 200 participants : 30 years old and over cross-country Master skiers (130), young adult skiers, from 18 to 29 (7), Atomes and Junior skiers (55) have given their best performance in many races, but above all, they had the pleasure of surpassing themselves all through the last day of competitions. Out of categories participants came from Sept-Iles, Lac-au-Saumon, Maria and of course, from Rimouski.

As for the stat fanatics, we would refer you to the Championships’ website for all the results. But let’s just mention that the men grand champion all categories, for the 30km Masters’ classic race, Mr. Stéfan Desfossés, had a time of 1 hour 35 minutes and 19.6 seconds, a 2 minutes 9.8 seconds lead over Pierre Harvey and a 2 minutes 10.4 seconds lead over Jocelyn Vézina, both champions of their own categories.

The 20km classic race champion all categories is Helge Halvorsen (Alberta), he finished in 1 hour 14 minutes and 20.3 seconds. Georges Bérubé from Rimouski, won the gold medal in the 70-74 years old category, crossing the finishing line after 1 hour 23 minutes and 52.4 seconds.

For the women, Louise Martineau from Rimouski, one more time distinguished herself from women skiers of all categories, by winning the 20km classic race. She took the lead with a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 5.7 seconds, leading Édith Laflamme by 3 minutes and 73.4 seconds.

Mr. Gilbert Pelletier, coordinator of the organizing committee had this to say : « Mixing Master races with out of category races had a great attractive power for Rimouski’s and Bas St-Laurent’s cross-country skiers. It gave them the desire and the opportunity to discover the Centre de plein air Mouski, a center that can easily be compared to some of the best cross-country ski centers in Quebec and even in Canada ».

Mr. Jean-Yves Babin, director of Quebec’s branch of the Canadian Masters Cross-country Ski Association, thought that the committee did a tremendous job. «Infrastructures, starting line area as well as the skiers’ lodge, everything is in excellent condition. Profiles of the tracks were ideal for Master races, not too smooth, not too rough. Cross-country skiers from the Rimouski area are very lucky to have access to these high quality ski facilities.

And about the hospitality of the people from Rimouski and the organizing committee, South African Beven Ferreira and Kari Tikka originally from Finland, now both living in the province of Quebec, expressed their appreciation in these terms: «People welcomed us with great enthusiasm and warm hospitality. They were very nice to us». «Bravo Rimouski and bravo to the Centre de plain air Mouski.»

Mr.Pelletier returned these congratulations to all the volunteers who helped him for several months, investing their precious time and energy. «Each of us represented Rimouski and the area, and I am proud of our team work. Together we contributed to make these Canadian Championships an incredible success. I would also like to thank our population for their great support and participation, the regional medias for their cooperation as well as our financial partners. Without their contribution, the 2006 Desjardins’ Canadian Masters Cross-country ski Championships wouldn’t have been possible».

If you want to, you can get detailed results for the different races as well as several photos of the Championships on our website at www.rimouski2006.ca .