THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The 39th annual Thebacha Loppet hit a record number of participants.
The event attracted 111 people on March 2 to ski or snowshoe all or part of a 27-km route from Fort Fitzgerald, Alta., to Fort Smith.
Skiers head out onto the trail at the Thebacha Loppet starting line in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta. - photo courtesy of Patti-Kay Hamilton |
Patti-Kay Hamilton, the co-ordinator of the event for the Fort Smith Ski Club, said it is believed this was the first time there were more than 100 participants in the almost 40-year history of the loppet.
The loppet is not a race, so no official times are recorded, although some competitive individuals keep track.
Richard Zaiden of Fort Smith was the first male across the finish after skiing the entire 27 km from Fort Fitzgerald. Helene Panter of Fort Smith was the fastest female to ski the entire distance.
Eight-year-old Robbie Chadwick of Fort Smith was the fastest Jackrabbit to complete a five-kilometre loop at Mountain Rapids.
In all, there were 86 skiers - including 30 under 12 years of age - and 25 snowshoers.
"It was the first time we included snowshoers and it seemed to go well," said Hamilton. "I haven't heard any complaints, so we will likely open the entire trail up next season to snowshoers."
This year, some snowshoers covered 10 km, while others did five kilometres.
Along with Fort Smith, participants came from Yellowknife, Hay River and several locations in Alberta - Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan and Fort McMurray.
Although the Thebacha Loppet formally started in 1972, there were two years when it was cancelled because of cold weather. Organizers are planning to celebrate 40 years in 2014.
