THUNDER BAY -- Local skier brought home first place at Saturday's Sleeping Giant Loppet.
Lakehead University students Evan Palmer-Charrette and Scott Hill both crossed the finish line at 2:06.26, however, Palmer-Charrette was declared the winner by 1/10th of a second.
Palmer-Charrette's first career Sleeping Giant Loppet men's 50-kilometre freestyle skate didn't go as planned but felt he had a bit more experience this year because of a national 50-kilometre title he earned last season.
"We were skiing with the (20-kilometre racers) and then Scott Hill and myself broke away and skied together for the last 40-kilometres of the race," Palmer-Charrette said.
"I felt pretty good until the last kilometre and then Scott put in a big push. My legs started to cramp up so I was getting worried and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to put in a good sprint at the end."
The pair finished only minutes ahead of second place Adam Kates, who passed through at 2:12.54, followed by Greg Kilroy only four seconds later.
Thunder Bay's Alysson Marshall won her first title in the women's 50-kilometre freestyle, .
"I stayed with a pack of guys for the first 12-kilometres and then it was just me and one other guy until about 40-kilometres," Marshall said.
Marshall said she had a hard time with the last 10-kilometres and needed to bring it in on her own.
She finished the race in 2:21.44, beating Brook Latimer who clocked in at 2:26.50.
Despite the chilly start to the morning, participants were treated to sunny skies and warm temperatures throughout the day as skiers passed through the finish line in t-shirts.
Race coordinator Peter Gallagher attributed the combination of unbelievable snow conditions and extraordinary weather to the 39th annual loppet's success.
"Everything that could go right has gone right," Gallagher said.
The loppet attracted 150 more participants than last year and among its 780 participants, 350 registered in the eight-kilometre mini-loppet.
"I'm really thrilled to see young people participating in the event and I think that it's good for the future of cross country skiing in Thunder Bay," Gallagher said.
