Lucky 13th Classic
There were sunny skies and favourable seas for the 13th annual Mindemoya Classic and the 108 participants who took in the “challenge for everyone” this past Sunday. The latest, Alex Anstice incarnation, “That’s a Paddl’n” was the winner of the day with a smoking fast time. The provincially ranked mountain biker entered a team of four this year and along with multiple-OFSAA runner Jeremy Cooper and fast paddlers Brittany Durdle and Lucas Jamieson, the foursome were clocked in at 1:09 for the 5.5 km run, 4km paddle and 13km cycle! Taking second was the Money Team of Levi Peterson, Matthew Bondi, Nathan Bondi and Nathan Hovingh. The Manitoulin Gang featuring, Jasmin Thompson, Spencer Thompson, Oliver Thomson and Ray Corbiere took the bronze.
In the two person relay category, “One from Here, One from There” including Branden Belan and Michael Niven were finished in 1:14. Recent Grade 8 grads, “the Genie Arses” of James Scott and Isaac Gosse were second. In third were the “Lily Dippers” featuring Tamara Flannigan and Louise Serre.
In the solo division, where you have nobody for moral support or keeping your canoe straight, Sudbury’s Kerry Abols did it all in only 1:17! Lightfoot Bike’s Jeff Brankley took second in 1:20 and Whitefish Falls’ Denis Lefebvre was the Solo Bat and won third place accolades.
The endurance division (you do all three legs!) is a tough call as mentioned above but the following hearty souls were first and second in the endurance pairs. Escaped to Race featuring Ben and Sarah Quackenbush took first in only 1:35 and Team J and K (Jeff Durocher and Karley Albrecht) were second.
Of course some of the best stories are not often told in the ‘medal’ positions. How about Timmins’, Jim Blair (team: Yogi the Blair) in the solo division who showed the ultimate sportsmanship by putting his race on hold to help a pair of canoeists who didn’t keep the open side of the canoe up.
A cyclist’s heart goes out to Ted Kilpatrick (of team: Gimps with Limps) who suffered a flat on the bumpy trail section of the race. But like a good Boy Scout, he was prepared and immediately hopped off his bike, went through the tedious removal of the tire, then punctured tube, put in the brand new one, levered the tire back on and then reached up to get his pump…gone. It seems that the very rough trail was too much for the Velcro restraint and was lost on the trail somewhere. *anyone finding an errant air pump please contact me by email address below. Ted, sadly, was also in line to take down the perennial winners of the ‘better than 40’ division, the powerhouse, Wheezers and Geezers. There is always next year G.W.L.
Under the previously unrecognized category of ‘dedication to the race,’ has to go to James Scott and Isaac Gosse who not only set the record for a team ‘not yet in high school’ but they had to paddle their borrowed ‘barge’ of a canoe 2 km to get to the start of the race then paddle the 4 km of the race and finally, paddled their vessel the final 2km home after the race.
As always, the race would not have made its 13 years were it not for the amazing volunteers who make it happen. Immeasurable thanks to: Gerry Holliday, David Johnston, Hailey Leblanc, Carissa Holliday, Denise Leblanc, Murray Haner, Mary Scott, Dayne Tipper, Tom Scott, Mark Gibeault, Gloria Haner and race marshals, Larry and Corinne Leblanc. The pair, on top of their regular duties, shuttled longtime family endurance team Andrew Jeffrey of team: “Missing Family Members” back to the start to locate a bike that didn’t have a busted chain and then bring him and bike back to where he had broken down to finish the race. Thanks and congratulations to all volunteers and participants. The organizers hope to see you all on June 28th 2015 for year-14. For complete results and information, you can visit www.mindemoyaclassic.com.
Local skinny-boaters take on marathon challenge
Congratulations to Little Current’s Steve Arthurs who has been ramping up his training this spring with his eyes on the Great Canada Kayak Challenge in Timmins coming up in August. As part of his conditioning, the speedy, double-blader recently won the 9km kayak division in the annual Sudbury Fitness Challenge’s Canoe Marathon. He completed the distance in just over an hour. Willisville’s, Tamara Flannigan and Sudbury’s Amanda Kosmerly also won their 18km canoe division.
Gladiators having banner year!
The Sudbury varsity Gladiators football squad is having an amazing season and has a strong local component helping make a post-season push. CC McLean teacher James McKnight is on the coaching staff and Cam McDermid of solid Manitoulin (McDermid/Lanktree) stock is playing as a slotback/fullback and has started every game and is having a solid season.
The team is currently sitting with three wins, two losses and a tie. They did get a bye this weekend and has two games left after that. The first is North Halton at home in Sudbury and one against North Bay in North Bay. With just one win in either game the Glads will make the playoffs. Good luck Cam and J.J.!
A good sport is good for sports. 377 – 6018 – chipstoquips@gmail.com
