Peter Crnogorac
Northern News Services
Friday, February 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - An international snowshoe and ski race that promises to bring more than 60 competitors to Yellowknife next month is in limbo after a Yellowknives Dene chief complained that he wasn't consulted, according to the race's organizer.

Scott Smith, organizer of the Rock and Ice Ultra race, said he is attempting to work with the Yellowknives Dene, but an alternate route proposed by Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris is not suitable for racing.

"I don't think the track can be broken in four weeks," the Yellowknife resident said, adding he's concerned about the safety of the racers.

Smith was hesitant to discuss the problems he has had with the Yellowknives, saying he was still trying to negotiate with them. But in a Feb. 5 e-mail obtained by Yellowknifer, and sent to other people involved with the race, he confessed that the event was in trouble.

"I recently met with Chief Fred Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to present the Rock and Ice Ultra to him," he wrote. "Chief Sangris was distressed that he had not been properly informed about the Rock and Ice Ultra and will not support the race where it is currently routed.

"I hope we will not have to cancel the Ultra distance events," he added.

The race is scheduled for March 17 to 23. It has four events that competitors can choose from: The Frozen Toe Trail Break, the Cold Foot Classic, the K-rock-160 and the formidable 300km Diamond-300 race.

The latter race route heads east from Yellowknife - roughly following the Ingraham Trail - before exiting the mainland and heading down the East Arm of Great Slave Lake back to the city.

Smith said an alternate route proposed by Sangris is further north of the original, and includes a loop west of Yellowknife, but omits the leg down the East Arm.

The original racing route is on commissioner's land, and includes lands the Yellowknives are interested in possessing through a yet to be completed land claim process. Smith obtained permission for the racing route from the territorial government.

Sangris did not return several calls from Yellowknifer this week.

The race is no small affair. There are more than 31 major sponsors involved, with funds equalling close to $200,000.

Martin Knutson, manager of Matrix Helicopters, is one of the sponsors. He said Sangris seems to be casting doubts on the race for no solid reason, and that ultimately it will only hurt the community.

"The Rock and Ice Ultra is a very positive thing for our community, and it's sad that one rotten apple spoils it for the whole bunch," he said.

"What I don't understand with the chief's decision is where is the common sense?"

Registered racers include many Yellowknife residents and other Canadian athletes, but also competitors from the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Finland, Italy, Denmark and Taiwan.

Smith's e-mail notes that, at this point, he is not taking anymore race registrations.