The Review Mirror - Weekly newspaper for Westport, Ontario Rideau Valley and Rideau Lakes

Our 116th year serving North Leeds

Skate the Lake celebrates fourth successful year

At 7 o'clock on Saturday evening, a spectacular display of fireworks lit the snowy skies to entertain more than 250 people at the closing ceremonies of the Fourth International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon in Portland.

The wind that had marked the races during the day had finally calmed down a bit. Throughout the day, skaters and spectators had flocked to Portland to take part in one of the four races and enjoy the concession stands and hospitality.

Ryan Carty was one of them. Carty skated at every edition of the annual Skate the Lake races in Portland and he has seen the many transitions the event has gone through. In 2004, when Carty was still playing for the Westport Rideaus junior B hockey club, he won the first five-kilometre race on a 2.5km track.

Adrian Loewen of Ottawa and Martine Charbonneau of Montreal won the Fourth International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating 50k Marathon in Portland on Saturday. For both skaters it was their first win on Big Rideau Lake. Despite windy and snowy conditions the 5-kilometer race attracted 79 skaters, many of them residents of the Rideau Lakes. Photo by Margaret Brand.

The following year, he met stiff competition on the 1km oval from speed skaters who came prepared for that fast hockey player they had heard about.

At Skate the Lake III, Carty competed in the team relay, and this year he returned for another 5km race, this time on a 500mtr track. He brought his friend and fellow junior B alumni Chris McCann. "We did pretty well, I think we were the first two people on hockey skates to cross the finish line. We were happy with that," said Carty, who might not beat speed skaters, but has not lost his competitive edge.

"We never really talked about it, but I wasn't going to let him [McCann] beat me, that is for sure," Carty said. Carty finished second in his age group and 18th overall. McCann was third and 19th, trailing by a second and a half. "There are more speed skaters in this one, they kind of left us in their dust. The first time there were probably only two or three speed skaters in the race and I did not really know what to expect.

Skaters and supporters were treated to cold conditions on Saturday. But despite the snow and strong wind, 79 skaters started in the 5km, which was won by Kingston's Graham Lodge. Ellen Mooney, also from Kingston, was the fastest woman.

Jake Maarse of Ottawa won the 10km race, while Danielle Gray was the fastest woman. Maarse also formed the fastest relay team. This year the team relay was divided in 'speed skates' and 'hockey skates only' division. The team of Vikki Burns won the 'hockey skates only' division. The main event, the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon over 50km was a true test of endurance.

As the Northern wind continue to rip across the bay and flurries came and went, skaters formed packs of three and four and rotated shifts to cut the wind.

Ottawa's Adrian Loewen, who had competed in all previous editions, won the race for the first time in his career. Martine Charbonneau, one of Canada's leading inline skaters, also won her first Big Rideau Lake gold. The day was opened by Chelsea Kelly who sang the national anthem prior to the start of the 5km race.

Throughout the day, booths from the Rideau Canal 175th anniversary committee and the Newboro Sled Dog race organizers were open to visitors, and all the proceeds of the canteen went to Rideau Centennial Public School.

Penny Nelson provided free massages for skaters, the Rideau Lakes town crier was present for the start of the 50km, and mayor Ron Holman helped present the awards. Portland Outdoors estimated that 70 volunteers made the event happen throughout the day.

More than 250 people saw the festivities completed by the six o'clock fireworks followed by the licensed party in the Community Hall, hosted by the Westport and Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Every year, Skate the Lake organizers have seen surprises, but for next year's fifth anniversary there might be a completely different one. "I hate losing," said Carty, "so I am probably going to buy a pair and see how I do with speed skates on."

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