February 16, 2008 (Gatineau, QC) – Skiers from every corner of the world were bursting with enthusiasm as they threw themselves onto the magnificent trails of the Gatineau Loppet. The temperatures turned out to be milder than forecast, which meant that everything started on time, at 9 a.m. sharp.

Saturday’s Races

53km of classic style
Coming out of the first 9.1 km loop, Russia’s Yuri Kozlov was in the lead, followed by Jon Arne Enevoldsen, originally from Norway but now living in the United States. Taking up third position was Wayne Dustin of the XC Ottawa cross-country ski club. Yuri Kozlov ended up being the only one of the three to keep up the pace, ending with a time of 2:43 that took him to the top of the podium. Quebec’s Phil Shaw, winner of the last two years’ races in this category, managed to rev it up and glide into second place with a time of 2:49, a whole six minutes behind the leader. Pierre Lavoie, from La Baie au Québec, known for his war against hereditary diseases, came in third, with a time of 2:56. Jon Arne Enevoldsen and Wayne Dustin managed to complete the course in 4th and 5th place.

Among the women, it was Rimouski’s Louise Martineau who walked away with the gold, with a time of 3:29, moving up from third in this same race in 2007. American Taylor Leach from Oregon followed with a time of 3:31, and British Columbia’s Teresa White, took the bronze when she stopped the clock at 3:36.

The six winners collected magnificent glass trophies crafted by the Tchek Republic’s Jilek Glass Factory. His Excellency Pavel Vosalik, Ambassador of the Tchek Republic, handed out the awards.

29km Fischer classic style
The new generation took the day in the men’s 29 km. The first two positions went to Ontario skiers in the 19 and under age category, Mathias Purdon and Aidan Lennie. The XC Ottawa club’s young Quebec member, Justin Demers, earned himself the third place on the podium.

It was a different story among the women, where it came down to experience. Chelsea’s Natalya Kuziak, with a time of 1:50, scooped the gold, while Ottawa’s Stéphanie Rees and Lac-au-Saumon resident Diane Bouchard came in second and third.

16km classic
Canada made a clean sweep of the 16 km, with Ottawa’s Michael Vieira, Nelson’s Ferreira Bevan and Oakville’s Patrick Monette taking the trophies on the men’s side, and Kanata’s Julie McVicar and Danielle McVicar, along with Chelsea’s Monika Stoeger on the women’s side.

5km Rossignol
Although intended to be a participatory event, the 5 km Rossignol gives up-and-coming competitive skiers, including those from several local clubs, a chance to practice their favourite sport alongside hundreds of skiers. The first three to reach the finish line were Ezekiel Williams from Cantley, Riel Allain from Chelsea and Dominique Moncion- Groulx from Gatineau. Among the women, it was Gatineau’s Noémi Bérubé and Sofia Attali, and Emilie Stewart-Jones who took the top honours.

Sunday’s Races

The organizers of the Gatineau Loppet could not have been happier with this 30th anniversary celebration edition. Not counting the spectators, 2,737 skiers turned up this year.

“I am delighted with this special edition. I’ve had nothing but positive comments from the Canadian and foreign skiers about the terrific conditions and the beauty of the Gatineau Loppet trails,” declared event President, Alain d’Entremont, a regular participant, who completed this morning’s 29 km freestyle.

The air was charged with energy this morning in anticipation of the 53 km Bell and the 29 km freestyle. Several excellent skiers met up in wave A for the crowning race of the Gatineau Loppet. The event’s cognoscenti tipped their hats to Mother Nature, who bestowed a gratifying -15 degrees Celsius on this year’s start.

53km Bell
Although not among this year’s top three in the first 9.1 km loop, Ivan Babikov snatched the gold with a time of 2:21. A former member of the Russian national team, Mr. Babikov became a Canadian citizen only a few weeks ago. He had done well at the Gatineau Loppet in previous years, namely in 2004 and 2005, when he walked away with one of the medals. He was followed a mere 3 seconds later by Canmore’s Robin McKeever, who nonetheless earned top place in his age category. His last medal win had been in 2000, when he finished this same race in first place. Germany’s Thomas Freimuth scooped the bronze, with a time of 2:22.

Among the ladies, Milaine Thériault was the one who made the gold. With a time of 2:41, she kept up a steady 19.7 km per hour. She was followed less than a minute later by Alberta’s Nikki Kassel. Sarah Max, from Orlando, U.S.A., who ended with 2:47.

29km freestyle
Craig Storey, a member of the XC Ottawa club, rode the 29 km freestyle to the top of the podium, with a time of 1:23. He was followed by another Canadian, Sacha Desfossés, from Prévost. Bill Frazer, from Lake Placid, U.S.A., came in third, beating his closest rival, Bevan Ferreira, by only one second.

Among the ladies, two of the previous night’s 29 km Fischer winners returned for an encore. On the heels of first-place winner, Nathalie Godbout of Saint-Ferréol-les- Neiges, Ottawa’s Stéphanie Rees and Chelsea’s Natalya Kuziac clinched second and third place, respectively.

10km freestyle
The last timed race of the 30th edition of the Gatineau Loppet, the 10 km freestyle, for which the start signal was given by His Excellency Tsuneo Nishida, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, was a fine opportunity for the region’s new skiers to show their stuff. This was an extremely close race among the men, with a difference of 3 hundredths of a second between first and third places. Andrew Stewart-Jones and Lloyd Steffan, both from Chelsea, snatched the top two places on the podium, while Ezekiel Williams finished third. Mr. Williams had finished first the day before in the 5 km Rossignol. Among the ladies, Michelle Workun-Hill, Sarah-Claudie Doste-Menard and Jessica Metuzals finished in the lead.

Norway/Gatineau Giant Ski Competition
The Embassy of Austria beat out the other nine teams that took part in the Norway/Gatineau Giant Ski Competition, walking away with the top honour after seizing the title from the Gatineau team, which had been the big winner in the 2007 edition.

The Mini Gazifère
Parents and children turned out for this noon-hour rendez-vous, skiing the 2 km race, the only one that was not timed at the Gatineau Loppet. Proud parents ushered their young children across the finish line, and into the delights of cross-country skiing. Hot chocolate drinks by Moca Loca, shoulder bags from the Embassy of Germany, and well-known characters, such as Snow White in her castle, were there to celebrate their achievement. The young participants were eagerly urged on by the crowds lining the departure and arrival lines.

The Salon du ski de fond and the Agora de l’industrie des sports d’hiver had a good turnout, and there was a good connection between the skiers and exhibitors, including La Boîte à grains and Fontaine Santé
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