More than 90 cross-country skiers took to Lost Lake's Nordic Trails on Sunday, enjoying ideal winter conditions at the 32nd Cheryl Morningstar Loppet. The recurring race was back at its usual venue after a dearth of snow forced last year's iteration out to Callaghan Valley.
Participants aged five to 75 experienced a three, nine or 18-kilometre course winding around a frozen Lost Lake, dipping down toward the Fitzsimmons River, and back up again to the Fairmont Château Golf Course trails.
The first loop ended with a glide down the lower fairways trails and back toward the Lost Lake Passivhaus, where warm refreshments awaited skiers.
Approximately half the field proceeded on a second lap up the Centennial Trail, then back around Lost Lake and around the golf course again.
"The Lost Lake Nordic Trails are in amazing shape this winter, and the [Resort Municipality of Whistler] crew pulled out the big groomers to lay down a perfect skate and classic course for the event," said event organizer Misa Pacakova in a press release.
Participants travelled from Vancouver and as far east as the Okanagan to honour the late Morningstar, including a sizable contingent of her friends. Many adorned paper stars on their hips to pay tribute.
Results are as follows:
Ladies' 18-km classic
- Tobi Henderson
- Genevieve Masson
- Rhonda Millikin
Men's 18-km classic
- Vincent Roseberry
- Dan Wilson
- Kelly Torwik
Ladies' 18-km skate
- Lesley Clements
- Shannon Brookman
- Petra Tlamkova
Men's 18-km skate
- Eric Goodwin
- Martin Kariya
- Michael Murdoch
Other division winners include Aaron Harder (U16 boys), Mirra Audenant (U14 girls 9-km) and Kolfinna Robertsdottir (U12 girls 9-km).
Loppet spokespeople would like to thank partners Alpine Cafe, Nesters, Rundle Nordic, Vauhti Wax, Armchair Books, Mountain Bee, WB Foundation, Slope Side Supply and the RMOW for their support.
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