February 08, 2012 (Whistler, B.C.) – Organizers of the second annual Sigge’s P’ayakentsut want to meet their goal of 1,000  entries into the event on February 25, 2012.  They are offering cash prizes for the Primes,  new improved routes, a lot of swag and even musical entertainment to help make that  happen.  Registration is open and filling fast for the event, which sold out in its inaugural  year at 500 participants.  Early bird registration ends on February 15, and registration  closes on February 23, 2012.

© Jarusha Brown

There will be $250 cash prizes to the fastest male and female in the 30 and 50 K distance  Rossignol Primes (pronounced preems).  This is a “race within a race” similar to those in  cycling.  Competitors in the loppet events will wear timing chips to record times on the  climb out of the stadium to the top of the first hill, at the start of the SECOND LAP for  each racer.  So a racer might not win their category, but some hard work up that hill will  net some hard earned cash!  The youth ski cross and kids are back, with fun games, skill  testing events and prizes.

© Sigge's P'ayakentsut

“We have timing chips for this year’s race, which will make the prime event really  exciting,” predicts chief of race Dirk Rohde.  “This race is on its way to becoming the  premier event of the season.”

This year there are new routes for the 15, 30 and 50 K races, which will take competitors  across all areas of Whistler Olympic Park, from the Olympic trails to biathlon and down  into the scenic Madley Creek and Norwegian Woods.

“There is definitely a real buzz in the air around the race this year,” said title sponsor  Anders Bjorklund, owner of Sigge’s Sport Villa.  “I’m really looking forward to getting  out there on the 30 K course and seeing what the organizing team has in store for us!”

© Sigge's P'ayakentsut

Event sponsors are providing over $20,000 in giveaways to volunteers and racers.  This  will include seven pairs of Salomon Skate skis with bindings, as well as swag from  Fischer, Swix, IceBreaker, ClifBar, food from Nester’s and more.  Or, people can  increase their odds of winning a pair of Salomon skis by purchasing a $5 raffle ticket.   There are 4 pairs of skis in the draw, and only 1,000 tickets will be sold.  Tickets are  available at Sigge’s Sport Villa in Kitsilano.  Proceeds support the Sigge’s Payak.

See www.payak.ca for more details.
Contact Dirk Rohde at 604 942 6410 Cell: 604 250 6997
Anders Bjorklund at 604 731 8818