Last Sunday we held the annual Whaleback Loppet and what an amazing turnout we had! Families and friends came out by the boatload and enthusiastically slipped on their bibs and then glided into the starting area to await the sound of “Allez!”
Over 100 participants came out to be winter active at Whaleback on Sunday which was a new record for the loppet. For years, my personal credo has been “skiing is not about competition, it's about coming out to play at Whaleback and encouraging others to come along so that we foster a healthy society.” I know, it's sort of a purist attitude, and even downright self-righteous, but whatever it takes to get people active, we must do.
What was most gratifying for loppet organizers was to see so many families participating, even grandma and grandpa were there with grandkids in hand. All four members of the Benoit family marched into the chalet, grabbed bibs, and while Mama Jill registered everyone for the 11 kilometre course, Papa Mike asked if they could have a family boilup at trail side. “Of course you can!” replied the loppet registrar, president Doug Fowlow. Now how good is that? There is no doubt that the Benoit family have their active living philosophy together?
Lori, John and Kip Deeley were also eager family participant as they briskly scampered around the 20.3 km course, while Fin, the youngest family member, settled in for a lively tour of the 11 km course. And then there was the St. Croix clan! Rita and John vigorously raced the 20 km course, while Mom Madelyn embarked on a challenging tour of the 20 km loop. Meanwhile daughter Claire, scurried around the 11 km trail, while Dad Sebastion arduously tried to keep up with five year-old Pierre on the 11 km route. Despite a valiant effort by Dad, Pierre narrowly nipped him at the finish line.
Participation
While there are many more family stories that could be told about the Whaleback Loppet, it is suffice to say that the ski community in Bay St. George fully understands what loppets are all about.
They're about participation and friends and sunshine and wind and weather and changing snow conditions and ascending and descending hills and saying hello to others on the trail and laughing and carrying on in the chalet afterward as was the case with Wanda Wheeler and Anne Sparkes.
Both Anne and Wanda skied the 20 km course and throughout the event they jockeyed back and forth with Wanda passing Anne on the uphills and then Anne zipping by Wanda on the flats.
I will not tell you who came over the line first because it is superfluous to the story. However afterward, Anne and Wanda sat down on a bench in the chalet and laughed and chatted like elementary children recalling the events of a gym class … they talked of how Wanda was spurred on every time Anne passed her and likewise when Wanda barged ahead and took the lead on the flats.
Yes … loppets are about the people, the trail, and living the moment and getting hearts pumping and healthy. If you missed this years's loppet, there's no time like the present to start preparing for a boilup on the trail at next years loppet! If you don't have a kettle, just catch up with the Benoit family and you'll be sure to get a cup of tea and a lassie bun!
Meanwhile … after I hit the send button on this column, I'll be off to Clarenville with a yaffle of good friends to do the biggest loppet in the province … the NL Marathon. Oh, what adventure awaits!
