It was slow going for participants in the 28 th annual Whistler Loppet this past weekend, as a surprise snowfall left about 25 cm of snow on Lost Lake and Nicklaus North cross-country trails.
The groomer did squeeze in a lap before the start of the race, but it wasn’t long before athletes were wallowing in soft snow. Several very fit athletes in the 30 km category decided to pull out at the halfway point, while others who ventured a second lap of the 15 km course found it even slower going the second time around.
To give you an idea of just how challenging the race was:
• Skiers had to double pole and skate in order to ski downhill;
• Vesa Suomalainen, the winner of the 2004 Loppet (the 2005 race was cancelled because of lack of snow) was one of the skiers who pulled out halfway;
• The fastest time for the whole 30 km was about 23 minutes slower than in 2004, when the conditions were a lot faster.
According to overall winner Cyrus Kangarloo of Calgary, it was tough going.
"It was crazy. Luckily the groomer did an awesome job, or I’d still be out there. The conditions were as good as they could have been for that first lap, but on the second lap you were just trying to follow whatever tracks you could see. It was a mess," he said.
"When I had to skate my way down the first hill, and there were some steep hills on this course, I said to myself it’s going to be a long race.
"I was in a 53 km race last weekend in Ottawa, and this 30 km race hurt a lot worse that that. On an icy course you can just fly along, get into a rhythm, but this was just a slog, there was no rhythm to it at all."
Kangarloo led from the beginning and had no idea how close his competitors were. He managed to build a 40 second gap after the first lap, and then turned on the gas.
"I just kept trying to go faster and faster. I was sure everybody was right behind me the whole time, skiing in my tracks, so I kept pushing to the finish."
As a result, he had over four minutes on his closest competitor by the end of the race, as he crossed the finish line in 1:36:38. In a testament to his fitness Kangarloo was smiling and talking to people within a minute of crossing the finish line.
The Loppet is part of the Cross Country B.C. marathon series, and Kangarloo is in contention to take the overall title this year.
This is his first time in Whistler, and, aside from the extra snow, he was impressed by the quality of the cross-country trails.
"It was tough, but at the same time I was loving it. I think this is more snow than Calgary has ever had, and the trails are great. There were great views, and it was really twisty and turny, up and down. I’d definitely like to spend more time here."
Kangarloo was racing unopposed in the 19 to 29 category after Florian Beliard, one of the top local racers, opted to pull out of the race.
Second overall, and first in the Men’s 30 to 39 category was Lars Ole Valoen of Pitt Meadows in 1:39:47. Tom Hansen of Salmon Arm was third overall and second in the 30 to 39 category in 1:40:37.
The top woman was Nikki Kassel, who returned home from nursing school in Prince George to race in the Loppet. Her time of 1:46:47 was more than 15 minutes faster than the next-fastest woman, and placed her seventh overall among all the racers. She was also more than 25 minutes ahead of the next fastest woman in the 30 to 39 category.
"I think that was the hardest, deepest skiing I’ve ever done, but it was awesome," said Kassel. "Those were the conditions, and you just had to deal with them. It was so beautiful with the snow, and I loved being back in Whistler. I always have so much energy when I’m here."
In the Recreational Category, which tackled a 15 km course, Duncan Munro was the top male in 1:16:22, close to 15 minutes faster than Tom Heah. Doug Irwin was third in 20:18:29.
Maureen Harriman was the fastest rec female in 1:20:17, followed by Stacey Bodnaruk in 1:23:06 and Terry Vincent in 1:29:56.
The Whistler Loppet also had its first sit ski candidate, quadriplegic and former Whistler resident James Hustvedt, who completed the 6 km course. The short course was mostly flat with a few small hills, but the softness of the snow made it a lot tougher. He poled his way across the line in 1:47:31.
"I’ve done a few Cross Country B.C. Events, like Coast Cup events, just to get a presence of sit skiers in there," he said. "I figured this was a good way to promote the sport, and have some fun, and maybe get a few more sit skiers out here."
He added, "The conditions made it a little tough, there was no gliding anywhere, and the hills were hard because my skis were just buried."
Results:
Jackrabbits age 7 and Under (4K)
1. Lauren McKay – 27:03
2. Stephay Derynck – 36:26
3. Julia Long – 52:03
Jackrabbits 8 to 13 (6K)
1. Logan Goodwin – 31:16
2. Braden Metza – 37:36
3. Adam Dean – 40:47
Sit Ski Men (6K)
1. James Hustvedt – 1:47:31
Women 19 to 29 (30K)
1. Lisa Helmer – 2:13:00
2. Aurelie Germann – 2:22:47
3. Tara Calvert – 2:37:42
Men 19 to 29 (30K)
1. Cyrus Kangarloo – 1:36:38
Women 30 to 39 (30K)
1. Nikki Kassel – 1:46:47
2. Anne Parent – 2:12:43
3. Marie-Anne Prevost –2:13:32
Men 30 to 39 (30K)
1. Lars Ole Valoen – 1:39:47
2. Tom Hansen – 1:40:37
3. Kerry Abols – 1:49:10
Women 40 to 49 (30K)
1. Barb Turner – 2:03:21
2. Carolyn Daubeny – 2:12:11
3. Brenda Davison – 2:38:11
Men 40 to 49 (30K)
1. .Kent Murdoch – 1:42:47
2. David Kvick – 1:43:20
3. Marcus Boyle – 1:46:19
Women 50 to 59 (30K)
1. Kim Hubbard – 2:42:32
2. Philippa Wall – 2:41:34
3. Eva Zabilka – 2:58:54
Men 50 to 59 (30K)
1. Olav Stana – 1:43:41
2. Mike Fitmaurice – 1:53:13
3. Brent Turner – 1:59:52
Women 60 to 69 (30K)
1. Alena Branda – 2:45:24
Rec Women (15K)
1. Maureen Harriman – 1:20:17
2. Stacey Bodnaruk – 1:23:06
3. Terry Vincent – 1:29:56
Rec Men (15K)
1. Duncan Munro – 1:16:22
2. Tom Heah – 1:31:03
3. Doug Irwin – 1:36:41
