The sun shone brilliantly on the silvery coated hoar-fronted trees; the weatherman was forecasting highs of minus five or six with little wind and Duck Mountain had snow.
These were all indications that this could be an awesome day for cross-country skiing at the Duck Mountain Loppet on February 24.
But many of the seasoned participants were saddened knowing that their King of the Mountain would no longer be participating.
A total of 176 skiers participated in the 38th Loppet, and as promised, they were not disappointed, said Bruno Lemire of Kamsack, the man who began the ski tour more than 38 years ago, and still serves as the organizing committee鈥檚 chairman.
鈥淎wesome鈥� was the predominant adjective used by the skiers who talked about the experience and by those who filled out their evaluation sheets.
Among other comments were:
鈥淔riendly shelter personnel, registration and de-registration procedures and the meal.鈥�
鈥淥n every downhill, I found that I could trust the track and the alignment was great.鈥�
Loppet skiers saddened by death of King of the Mountain
鈥淚 could go fast with little worry about flying out of the track.鈥�
鈥淭hanks to the track setters: Allan Bear and Allan Konkin.鈥�
Participants ranged in age from toddlers to four score plus, Lemire said. About 31 鈥淛ack Rabbits鈥� (skiers aged 12 years and under) took part, although none were from Kamsack.
Only three of 176 participants call Kamsack home, he said.
However upbeat the general atmosphere was for many skiers, the general tone was somewhat more pensive among many of 鈥渙ld-timers,鈥� he said, adding that someone was not among the skiers: Peter Whitehead of Regina, a man who had earned the title of King of the Mountain.
Loppet is a Swedish word meaning 鈥渂loody long ski race over 35 kilometres,鈥� Lemire said, explaining that the Duck Mountain Loppet is not a race, however 鈥渓ong鈥� is a relative term. For a five-year-old, the five-km Bunny Hop Trail could be as long as would 20 or 45 kilometres be to others.
鈥淎 few years ago, Ron Blechinger, a Regina skier, did not find our 45 km loop long enough, so he skied it twice, and then it was 鈥榣ong鈥� enough.鈥�
Beginning in 1979 as part of the Saskatchewan Premium Loppet Series, the Duck Mountain Loppet was started, he said. It was meant to provide cross-country skiers with the choice of skiing on trails of varying distances and difficulties and would allow one to go at one鈥檚 own pace.
It was in the early years that Duck Mountain had the privilege of having four dedicated skiers coming to the loppet, he said. They were Mel Hinds, John Prodnuk and Peter Whitehead, all of Regina, and Mickey Zwack of Prince Albert.
鈥淭hese four gentlemen just kept coming year after year without anyone missing. For 16 years this race went on.鈥�
All races must inevitably end. This one ended in 1996 with Mel鈥檚 absence and then in 1998 when Mickey failed to show.
鈥淲e then had a two-skier race with John and Peter vying for consecutive participation honours. The year was 2000. The February loppet was postponed to December 30 due to weather. A total of 66 skiers showed up. Unfortunately John was not there.
鈥淪o it was that we proclaimed Peter Whitehead as King of the Mountain for having been here for 21 consecutive loppets.
鈥淧eter didn鈥檛 rest on his laurels. He kept on coming year after year until 2007. It took his brother鈥檚 funeral in England in 2007 to keep him away. However, he was back in 2008 and every year thereafter until this year.
鈥淧eter had passed away in September. His long run of 36 loppets out of a possible 37 was over; a job well done.
鈥淪o the challenge is out there for those of you who have a run of your own going to become the new King of the Mountain,鈥� he said, explaining that as of this year the loppet has an interesting race in the making between Dave Bober of Hudson Bay, who has 26 consecutive Duck Mountain Loppets 鈥榰nder his skis,鈥� and Gene Josephson, who has 27.
鈥淩emember, even if it is your first loppet, every race begins with the first one as did Peter Whitehead鈥檚 in 1979.
鈥淚n keeping with the Olympic spirit, we at Duck Mountain award a variety of certificates to those skiers who meet certain criteria,鈥� he said.
They are: a certificate given to every first-time skier and the certificate helps skiers record their achievements here for the next 20 years; the jack rabbit certificate for all new skiers 12 years and under; a bronze certificate for skiers with seven years attending; silver, for 10 years; gold for 15 years; life certificate for 20 years and allows the recipient free registration for life, and the Ambassador Award which recognizes those people who over a number of years have helped promote the loppet.
Following Canada鈥檚 example of more medal winners at the Olympics this year, skiers at Duck Mountain were not to be outdone, he said. Thanks to Bobbi Wanner, over 100 such certificates were distributed.
Among the more noteworthy recipients of the certificates were: gold, to Dale Hjertaas, Barry Mang, Velda Back and Kim Brunskill, all of Regina; Brad Lefebvre of Humboldt and Robert Howse and Kevin Sutton of Saskatoon.
Kay Antrobus of Regina garnered the life membership certificate, while the well-deserved Ambassador Award was given to Joyce Wolfe of Regina.
On behalf of the Kamsack Ski Club鈥檚 loppet committee, Lemire thanked the Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Duck Mountain Ambulance, Town of Kamsack and all the donors for their continued support.
聽鈥淎 special thank you goes to Full Throttle of Kamsack for the lovely meal and the 20-plus volunteers for their invaluable help.鈥�
