Close to 400 cross-country skiers competed in the 2023 Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet at Larch Hills.
Though it was foggy in Salmon Arm, participants arriving at Larch Hills on Saturday morning, Jan. 14, were greeted with more agreeable weather conditions.
A total of 393 skiers ages 2 to 85 took part in the event, which included strong representation from the Larch Hills Nordic Ski Club, including Thomas Hardy and Maggie Beckner who competed in the 34-kilometre Classic event. Hardy took third place, arriving at the finish line behind Ian Williams of Telemark Nordic and Xavier McKeever of Foothills Nordic. Jesse Heckrodt was fifth to cross the finish line. Beckner came in at 22nd in the race, and first in the 18-29 Female category.
In the 17-km race, Larch Hills’ Jonathan Breugem and Callum Orchard took first and second place.
Jeremia Bucher was first place in the 14-17 Female category, and 22nd overall.
Among the youngest skiers were Larch Hills’ Ana Widmer and Edwyn Connelly, both age 2, who competed in the 1 and 2-km Classic event. Roy van Ryswyk, 85, competed in the 10-km race.
Approximately 125 volunteers co-ordinated everything from the races themselves, to where vehicles were positioned in the packed stadium parking lot.
Event participants were from as far as Savonlinna, Finland and Melbourne, Australia.
Signs marking the loppet routes are being left up for a week so people can ski them.
For results and more information from the 2023 Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet, visit skilarchhills.ca.
Read more: Hundreds race, thousands raised at Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet
Read more: In photos: Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet at Larch Hills
lachlan@saobserver.net
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