Ilona Gyapay skied from Elk Ridge to La Ronge for the Don Allen Saskaloppet. (submitted photo/Hilary Johnstone)
Don Allen Saskaloppet

Saskaloppet competitor skis to La Ronge along dog sled trails

Mar 1, 2019 | 4:01 PM

An athlete from Camrose, Alta., arrived in La Ronge for the 36th annual Don Allen Saskaloppet yesterday after skiing to the community all the way from Elk Ridge.

Ilona Gyapay, originally from the Northwest Territories, left Elk Ridge for La Ronge Tuesday after being inspired to ski the distance by the Canadian Challenge Dog Sled Races. The 26-year-old said she skied about 70 kilometers to Weyakwin in the first day, before stopping at Kiskahikan School to meet the principal and local students. She also spent the night in Weyakwin, before travelling across Montreal Lake and along Highway 969 the following day.

“In the morning his 20 school children walked out with me to the highway, so that was a lot of fun,” Gyapay said. “The second day I did maybe 56 kilometers.”

Before arriving in La Ronge last night, Gyapay travelled another 45 kilometers and she noted it was her favourite part of the trip. She added the trails were nicely groomed and it was fun skiing in the bush, as well as a light dust of snow made it ideal for gliding. In order to be totally self-sufficient along the way, Gyapay pulled a pulk with her containing the supplies she would need.

Before skiing from Elk Ridge to La Ronge, Gyapay also travelled along 482 kilometers of trails used for the Yukon Quest international dog sled races. She said she has a fascination for dog sledding and racing in Canada, which brought her to La Ronge. During her journey for the Saskaloppet, local musher Sid Robinson gave her trail updates along the way.

“It was fun to share a dog mushing perspective and a ski perspective,” Gyapay said.

Ilona Gyapay pulls her pulk along the dog sledding trails to La Ronge. (submitted photo/Hilary Johnstone)

The Saskaloppet, which draws hundreds of skiers to La Ronge, began today with the 52 km and 77 km Robertson Rrading Kupesewin event. At 10 a.m. tomorrow, March 2, there will be a mass start on Lac La Ronge for all other races. The length of the events tomorrow range from the two-kilometer Jackrabbit Glide to the 56 km SaskEnergy Enduro, which Gyapay will be competing in.

“I’ll be tired, but I won’t have my pulk,” she said. “I was classic skiing with my pulk and this is going to be a skate race. It will be really nice not having to pull stuff for 56 kilometers. There’s also nice checkpoints and there will be other people.”

Gyapay, who said she was a competitive skier in the past and is now somewhat of an adventurer, also commented on the natural beauty in the region. She stated the is perfect for winter sports and other similar activities.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

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