Whaleback to host high schools and mini-loppet

View from the Whaleback - Whaleback will be hosting two big events this weekend - with the Provincial High School Races slated for Feb. 28 and the Whaleback 20.5 Mini-Loppet scheduled for March 1.

A number of teams will be coming in from other parts of the province to take part in the high school races, which are scheduled to get under way on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the welcoming of competitors from visiting schools. The first race will be the junior girls 2.5 km classic event, which starts at 11:10 a.m. The junior girls will be followed by the junior boys 5 km race at 11:40. At 12:15, the senior girls will compete in the 5 km event, while the senior boys will compete in the 7.5 km classic race at 1 p.m. The team relays are scheduled for 2 p.m. and once they are completed, there will be a banquet and awards ceremony at the chalet.

Rosemary Ryan-Forsey, convener for the event, said she is excited to see teams coming in to participate in the races and she is especially pleased to see such a large number of skiers from the Stephenville area taking part in the event.

All high school races will all be held on the Fox Trot and for this reason, there will be no interference with the regular ski activities for Whaleback members. Members and day pass users will be able to access all other trails in the ski park via Beaver Tail Flat. President Fowlow encourages members to come out and ski their favorite trails as usual on the weekend. As Fowlow said, "Whaleback is all about being Winter Active and there is plenty of room on the trails for everyone."

Whaleback will jump right into action again on Sunday afternoon with the hosting of the first Whaleback 20.5 Mini-Loppet. In the mid-80s, Whaleback hosted the 27 km Around the Whaleback Mini-Marathon on an annual basis. The Whaleback 20.5 Mini-Loppet will have the same philosophy as the Whaleback 500 as the event will emphasize participation and rising to a challenge.

Members and friends of Whaleback are encouraged to get out and join in the fun. Several course distances will be offered to participants ranging from short courses (2.5 - 5 km) for children, to medium-length courses (10 km) for those who would like a longer tour. The biggest challenge will be the 20.5 km course which is a tour of all the trails in the ski park that are groomed for both skating and classic.

For those who wish to ski the course at top speed, the reward will be a smiley face cookie when they cross the finish line and the same prize will also be awarded to skiers who slowly tour any of the other courses featured in the event. All funds raised through registrations will go towards the Whaleback Woodstove Fund. This event is open to all skiers in the region and participants from other clubs are expected to participate.