Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

AND THEY’RE OFF – Skiers in the Marsh Lake Classic Ski Loppet 10 and 20-kilometre races leave the start line at the Marsh Lake Community Centre on Saturday.

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

THE MITTEN MAN – Race official John Streiker was attired in a sweater with mittens from the lost and found on Saturday. Participants were encouraged to wear costumes.

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

ALMOST AT THE FINISH LINE – Youth racers Oliver Kralisch-Seguin, right, and Mahee Patera Marchand, centre, close in on the finish line in the youth 1-kilometre race, while Erik Embacher, left, follows close behind.

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

CAPTAIN FUN – David Mills comes into the finish of the 10-kilometre race on Saturday. Mills was one of the win- ners of the Captain Fun award in memory of race founder the late Peter Milner.

Skiers hit trails for Marsh Lake Loppet

More than 150 cross-country skiers strapped on their skis to hit the trails for the 24th annual Marsh Lake Classic Ski Loppet.

By John Tonin on February 13, 2019

More than 150 cross-country skiers strapped on their skis to hit the trails for the 24th annual Marsh Lake Classic Ski Loppet. Races ranged from 1-kilometre all the way to twenty and saw participants of all ages take part, even though the youth races were officially cancelled due to cold weather.

Everyone who signed up for the race was encouraged to wear costumes. Three Captain Fun Awards were given out on Saturday. The awards are for the racers who demonstrate the best spirit. The awards are given in memory of race founder the late Peter Milner.

Mya Donahue, who raced in the atom girls one-kilometre race, David Mills, in the master I male 10-kilometre, and Vanessa Scharf, in the masters I female 20-kilometre race, were all honoured with Captain Fun awards.

The race encouraged fun but there were still two awards given for the fastest times for the males and females.

Sonjaa Schmidt, who is a member of the Yukon Ski Team’s youth squad, and is getting ready to go represent the Yukon at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., was the fastest female.

In the 20-kilometre race, Schmidt put together the quickest time completing the course in one hour, 17 minutes and 43 seconds.

Colin Abbott got the distinction as the fastest male on Saturday in the 20-kilometre race. In a photo finish Abbott edged out David Greer by one second, completing the course in one hour, 45 seconds.

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