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PHOTOS: Idyllic conditions greet skiers at Shuswap's Larch Hills for Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet

'…your organization has the best classic marathon event in Western Canada thanks to your wonderful volunteers.'

Sunny skies greeted the 430 skiers at Larch Hills  on Saturday morning for the 41st annual Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet.

Competitors from ages 1 to 87 (with more than 160 children and U18 skiers) took part in the Jan. 18 event, skiing distances from 1 to 32-kilometres along the Larch Hills trails.

Skilled grooming technicians and the Larch Hills new Prinoth Bison groomer contributed to the exceptional track setting, said the Larch Hills Nordic Society's Pat Danforth in a media release, adding the new, single-lap, 32-km serpentine route took skiers through scenic surprises on 21 different trails. 

The annual loppet, named after the late Reino Keski-Salmi, raised $3,653 dollars for the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, making it $430,185 raised since the event began. 

This year's skiers were from throughout B.C., from Methow Valley, Washington and as far as Ontario, with a support “grandpa” travelling from Cornerbrook, Newfoundland to be part of the fun.

The Farthest Away Awards went to Paige Saravanamuttoo and former Salmon Arm resident Zeba Crook from Ottawa. Crook, who had last been to Larch Hills nearly 40 years ago, was surprised to find himself in a photo on a chalet wall of a summer work crew back in his youth.  

In first place overall completing the 32-km distance in impressive times were Ian Williams of Kelowna (1:32:33.6) and Laura McCabe of Methow Valley (1:52:56.4). Top local finishers were Thomas Hardy (1:38:56.9) and Abby May (2:03:49.6). Local para skier Kaden Baum finished his 10-km distance in 56:13.6. 

Other top Larch Hills finishers to look for in online results were U18 Madeleine Wilkie and Ellie Giesbrecht, U18 Keiran Parker and their developing teammates Kristina Wilson, Logan Marjoribanks Aguirre, Evan Daudrich, Wyn Thingsted, Tove Brown, Henry Bollans, Gideon Bucher, Kelsey Klapstein, Otis Noestheden-Tanner, Henry Wallensteen, Farley Harker, Marcus Ritchie, Luc Lefebvre, Ana Widmer, Sofia Plowman, Aurora Klassen.

The youngest skier over the finish line was Nino Widmer (2 years, 8 mos. 3 days) and the eldest, Roy van Ryswyk, a very competitive 87 years. Median skier awards went to Nico Glanville and Tim Dewailly.

Skiing was just part of the event for participants, added Danforth.  

"A hot lunch that includes both Rotary’s legendary beef on a bun and its vegan Lentil Veg soup counterpart, renewing annual acquaintances, a stadium award ceremony, swim passes and a curated video of the day presented at a late afternoon appy wind-up rounds out the full day experience," said Danforth. "The exceptional community support was exemplified by the generosity of 28 sponsors and the dedication of 160 capable volunteers assisting with course design, signing, parking, sponsorship, safety, waxing, nutrition, timing, grooming, route management and friendly support."

Danforth said organizers received praise from the national director of the Canadian Masters XC Ski Association, who said. “It is our opinion that your organization has the best classic marathon event in Western Canada thanks to your wonderful volunteers.”



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