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Sleeping Giant Loppet registration down, but organizers optimistic about last-minute rush

THUNDER BAY – Peter Gallagher is hoping a favourable weather forecast will lead to a last-minute spike in registrations for the Sleeping Giant Loppet.
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(tbnewswatch.com file photograph)

THUNDER BAY – Peter Gallagher is hoping a favourable weather forecast will lead to a last-minute spike in registrations for the Sleeping Giant Loppet.

The 38th annual edition of the region’s largest cross-country skiing race will hit the trails at the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Saturday.

Gallagher, the race coordinator, said registrations for this year are down compared to past numbers as race day looms.

“We’ve all struggled through a really tough January and February that’s affected people’s opportunity to ski,” he said.

“People who haven’t skied all year should take advantage and come on out to enjoy probably the best day of skiing all year long.”
Environment Canada weather forecasts for the weekend are calling for temperatures around the freezing mark.

That’s a significant improvement compared to the past two years, where during the past two years frigid weather forced the postponement of the start and shortening of longer races.

While the loppet’s signature event is the 50 kilometre event, there are also 35, 20 and eight kilometre distances.

The range of distances provides a race for all skill and endurance levels.

“A lot of people are saying they haven’t skied enough this year to enter the longer distances so I’m telling them to please support the event and register in whatever distance they think they can do comfortably,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher added it’s been a hard winter across the region for skiing, with many Minnesota events struggling with participation due to lack of snow.

There were concerns about the trails at the park until a recent dump of snow which he said has left the course in “terrific” shape.

Online registration remains open until 5 p.m. Wednesday with other opportunities available at race kit pick-up at the Kamview Nordic Centre on Thursday and Friday nights.

More information about the loppet can be found online. 





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