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2011 Gatineau Loppet Classic Results
By:  Gatineau Loppet   (2011/02/19)
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SWIFT AS THE WIND!

This morning’s departure had to be delayed by half an hour, to 9:30 a.m., in order to complete the course improvements prompted by yesterday’s temperatures. Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau gave the signal to the valiant participants in the 28km and 50km classics at 9:30 on the dot, sending them on their way through a heavy snowfall. President Yan Michaud, who took part in this morning’s 28 km race, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome: “The day went very well. The skiers I talked to were all pleased with the swift skiing conditions and the attentive work done by the volunteers and the organizing committee in order to ensure an interesting experience.”

ST-BRUNO DOMINATES THE 28 KM

St-Bruno can be proud of her athletes: two of its skiers where the first two to make it through the finish line for the 28 km classic. Sean Thompson was the first to complete the course in a time of 1:24:46.9. He was followed by Timothé Plante, who finished 3 minutes later with 1:27:43.4. Nicholas Underwood, from New York State, was 2 seconds behind, with a time of 1:27:44.9.

Among the women, the results captured the event’s international flavour. The Czech Republic’s Kamila Borutova, who is currently training in Canmore, once again took her place at the top of the podium for her time of 1:34:41.6. She was followed 7 minutes later by Gatineau’s Anna Crawford, who made it in 1:41:30.6. Third place went to Vermont’s Andrea Vogl for her finish time of 1:46:50.8.

A CLOSE FINISH IN THE MEN’S 50 KM

Spectators were treated to a breathtaking display at the end of the 50 km classic. The lead cluster, which comprised Germany’s Juergen Uhl, Ottawa’s Matthias Purdon and Chelsea’s Nansen Weber, was very tight up until the last few metres of the course. Speeding along at 19.5 km per hour, it was finally Juergen Uhl who earned the top spot on the podium. Matthias Purdon, a member of the elite XC Ottawa club, earned the silver, and Nansen Weber took the bronze with a time of 2:32:32, three seconds behind Purdon and six seconds behind Juergen.

THE UNITED STATES MADE A CLEAN SWEEP AMONG THE WOMEN IN THE 50 KM

The women’s podium for the 50 km belonged to the United States. While the gold medal went to Oregon’s Stephanie Howe (2:56:44.9), the silver went to adorn Vermont’s Robyn Anderson (3:07:22.8), and the bronze was scooped by her compatriot Mary Stewart (3:08:53.7).

OTHER MEDALS FOR CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES IN THE 16 KM

The signal for the start of the 16 km was given under a brilliant ray of sun, a rare moment on this windy day. By the time the race was over, the United States had two more medals to its already impressive credit. William Frielinghaus, from Queensbury, U.S.A. made the best time with 45:16.7, followed by Jesse Williams, from Cantley in 51:29.1 and Keith Kogut, from Tupper Lake, U.S.A. in 51:40.3.

Among the women, three Canadians took the honours. First came Orillia’s Soren Meeuwisse, who finished in 1:06:01.2, followed by Orangeville’s Gillian Vaderburgh in 1:06:18.7 and Bewdley’s Jade Penwright-Holmes in 1:06:36.9.

A FAMILY AFFAIR IN THE 5 KM

The 5 km is the race with the highest average speed. Aaron Newell, from Queensbury, U.S.A., was the first to cross the finish line, with a time of 13:31.9 and an average speed of 22.2 km/h. New York State’s Willie Underwood joined him less than 2 seconds later. Third position went to Emma Underwood, whose time was 15:42.9. She was followed by two more girls, Alana Hennessy of Chelsea and Rozie Brochu of Cantley. Evan Greenberg, as the eighth place finisher, was the third boy to finish the race with a time of 17:24.8.

MOISSON OUTAOUAIS NORWAY GIANT SKI CHALLENGE

It was all about fun this morning during the friendly Moisson Outaouais Norway Giant Ski Challenge. Spectators were thrilled to take part in the moment by cheering on the six participating teams, who faced off with tremendous enthusiasm and zest. The teams were: the National Capital Commission team, the Société de transport de l’Outaouais team, the Centre Krown Outaouais team, the Génivar team, the Skadi team and the Turbosmoteurs team.

These last two teams fought it out to the finish in an atmosphere of total camaraderie. In the end, it came down to just a few seconds’ difference for the Turbomoteurs team to win over the Génivar’s.

It should be noted that this very special activity is part of the Moisson Outaouais Du coeur… aux ventres major fundraising campaign. This morning’s harvest for the local food bank came to $4,217. Thank you all!

AND FOR TOMORROW’S ACTIVITIES

The 33rd edition of the Gatineau Loppet continues tomorrow. We remind you that registration starts again at 7 a.m. for the different courses, that is to say the 10, 28 and 50 km freestyles at the Ski Show at École secondaire Mont-Bleu (389 boulevard Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau).

COURSE CHANGES FOR SUNDAY

In view of the weather over the last few days, the courses will be modified for Sunday. For the 51 km, the cooler temperatures over the last few hours will make it possible to use some of the more technical trails, as compared to the ones used today. The 31 km will be modified, as it was today, and will turn into a 28 km race. The 10 km course will remain unchanged, as is the case with the Mini.

THE MINI

We invite you to come out tomorrow and cheer on and meet the next generation of cross-country skiers in the Outaouais. The Mini takes place at noon, over a 2 km course. This untimed race is for children between 0 and 12 years of age, and this year will include 25 children from École Carl, which won the Dessine tes plaisirs d’hiver drawing contest. More than a hundred children are already registered, but it is not too late to get a bib at the Ski Show at École secondaire Mont- Bleu.

For additional information, call us at 819-790-8074 or visit www.gatineauloppet.com.

Everybody on the trails!

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