Despite an unusually mild winter and lack of an abundance of snow in many parts of Saskatchewan, the Duck Mountain Loppet was dealt a “winning hand” by Mother Nature with enough snow and acceptable temperatures.
With plus three degrees Celsius temperatures the day before, the loppet began on February 27 in conditions deemed “fast,” said Bruno Lemire, the member of the Kamsack Ski Club who has nurtured the annual event since its inception.
“However, by mid-morning, Mother Nature smiled upon the Duck Mountains by gracing them with a gentle blanket of soft, moist snow,” Lemire said. “This new snow greatly helped to make the track a little slower and safer for the 167 skiers.
“Overall, the skiers’ comments were very positive,” he said.
Among the highlights of the event which Lemire singled out were having Peter Whitehead of Regina here for his 36th Duck Mountain loppet, and witnessing a number of skiers achieving their personal goals.
Those participants who qualified for special attendance certificates this year were: Billy Blackwood and Pauline Bloom of Teulon, Man., Maureen Blight of Danbury and Aldona Torgunsrud of Regina, who received a bronze certificate marking seven years of participation; Nancy Howes of Saskatoon and Neil Malcolm of Regina, who received silver certificates marking 10 years; Susan Gilroy of Regina and Allan Bear of Kamsack, gold certificates marking 15 years, and Joyce Wolfe of Regina, a life certificate marking 20 years.
Having 44 of the skiers being first-time attendees is a highlight, Lemire said. “Hopefully, they enjoyed their day and will return many times in the future to explore all of the offerings that the Duck Mountain Provincial Park offers to cross-country skiers.
“Despite all of the positive aspects of the event, there is still a fly in in the ointment,” he said. “Where were all the school-aged children? Out of the 12 children aged 17 years and under who did participate, only two were from Kamsack and area.
“In other years our loppet had coincided with the school break, which may have accounted for some children being away. Also, with the school closed, they may not have had access to the free skiing equipment at the schools.
“But this was not the case this year as the loppet was held one week after the students had returned from the February break.”
Lemire asks persons with suggestions towards how to encourage more district youths to participate to contact him or any other member of the Kamsack Ski Club.
On behalf of the club, Lemire thanked the event’s sponsors, donors, the Town of Kamsack, staff of Duck Mountain Provincial Park and the Duck Mountain Ambulance Care. He thanked the manager and staff of the Duck Mountain Four-Season Resort “for their friendly, efficient service and delicious meal,” and In Good Taste of Togo for providing the healthy cookies, and the 24 volunteers who manned their posts during the loppet.
“A special thank-you is owed to Kev Sumner, Allan Konkin and Sharon Rudy for fulfilling their duties as members of the loppet planning committee, and to all the skiers, without whom there is no loppet.
“See you next year on February 25.”
