Old Crow ski Loppet marks 5 years, now with an Olympian

A few weeks ago, KnuteJohnsgaard was competing against some of the best cross-country skiers in the world, as part of Canada's Olympic team in Pyeongchang.

This weekendhe's waxing upagain but far out ofthe international spotlight, in the tiny community of Old Crow, Yukon.

"It's a commitment that's certainly paying off, to be able to see all the smiling faces out on the trails and looking over the beautiful vista of Crow Mountain," Johnsgaard said.

Every spring, the Whitehorse skierflies up to Old Crow to helporganize the Father MouchetMemorial Loppet. This is the fifth year for the event.

"It's such a special community up there, and each year we get a little bit more people involved and it grows a little bit, and we have better trails set up," he said.

Pavlina Sudrich, another one of the event organizers, said it's not about serious competition it's about getting people out and active. There's a 2k race for young kids and novices, and an eight kilometre race for the more experienced.

"If you're an elder and you haven't skied in 30 years, we'll strap you on a pair of skis and fire you down the two-kilometretrail, and you can ski it with your grandchildren," Sudrich said.

"It's for the community, and it'sfor where the community's at."

Tribute to Father Mouchet

Sudrichsaid the idea for the Loppetwas hatched in 2013, after the death of Father Jean-MarieMouchet. The Catholic priest was a beloved cross-country skier and coach whostarted the Territorial Experimental Ski Training (TEST) program,to develop character in children through skiing. The program went on to send the first Aboriginal Canadian skiers to the Olympics.

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Sudrichsays people from Old Crow came to Mouchet's funeral, and the event grew from there.

"There were some members who had come down to pay tribute to FatherMouchet, and they said, 'you know, it would be great to have an event up there,'" she recalled.

Sudrich says five years later, the Loppetis an established tradition, and a fitting tribute.

"There's so many TESTkids throughout the Yukon, and Ithink there's a real fraternity of people who acknowledge ... those very strong lessons of hard work, and integrity, and motivation."

Johnsgaardhimself was part of the TEST program. He thinks Mouchet would have been "thrilled" to know he became an Olympian, a dreamof Johnsgaard's sincehe was "running around and doing sit-ups and push-ups on the beach in Teslin, and [Mouchet] was there watching over me."

Johnsgaard hopes he can inspire kids in Old Crow the same way.

"There's a few youngsters who, when I first saw them, they could hardly stand up on the skis.And now every time they go around the 2k loop, they're setting a new record," he said.

"It's really neat to see."

Registration for the Father MouchetMemorial Loppetis on Saturday at 11 a.m.

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