MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The countdown has started! It's only 10 days until the first edition of the Montréal Ice Canoe Challenge. After an absence of more than 20 years, the Old Port of Montréal in collaboration with Heritage Maritime Canada is proud to present this race, part of the Circuit Quebecois de canot à glace, on February 23. If you love thrills, extreme sports and the St. Lawrence River, this event is for you!
The Montréal race promises to be spectacular, with a course that runs between the Clock Tower basin, Parc Jean-Drapeau and the bassin Alexandra. The variety of conditions (including the powerful Sainte-Marie current) will satisfy even the toughest teams, and thrill seekers will get their fill. Most of the course is close to shore, which will keep spectators spellbound throughout the event.
Thirty-five teams will be at the starting line: Female Elite class, Male Elite class and Sport class. Most of the teams come from the Québec City region. There are also canoeists from Versailles (France) and a women's team that includes two Olympic rowers (Daphné Émond end Andréanne Morin).
After the races between Portneuf, Trois-Rivières, Quebec Carnival, and Isle-aux-Coudres and and before the final event in Québec City, the Montréal ice Canoe Challenge is the fifth stop on the Circuit International de Canot à Glace, with more than $10,000 prize money for participating athletes.
Schedule
Meeting place: Clock Tower Quay, near the Yacht Club.
12:45 p.m.: Consecutive starts by Male Elite class, Female Elite class and Sport class teams. Visitors will be able to watch the race from the Clock Tower Quay, where there also be music, entertainment and a heritage interpretation of the ice canoe by ethnologist Richard Lavoie.
3:30 pm.: Demonstration of rescue operation in the basin (rescue boat)
4 p.m.: Presentation of trophies at the Montréal Yacht Club
Photos and video available: http://www.vieuxportdemontreal.com/media/DefiCanotAGlace/
Circuit québécois de canots à glace (in French only): http://www.canotaglace.org
The Old Port thanks its principal partner, the Government of Canada and acknowledges the support of its partners TELUS, Sleeman, Coca-Cola and ESKA, as well as Van Houtte, official partner of the Skating Rink at the Old Port.
SOURCE: Old Port of Montréal
Felipe del Pozo
514.283.5879
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