Olympian and Paralympian Team To Compete at the Seventh Pentathlon des neiges La Vie Sportive

On Feb. 19, a unique team of Olympian and Paralympian athletes will take part in the Seventh Pentathlon des neiges La Vie Sportive in Québec City. Held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 27 on the Plains of Abraham (venue of the Québec Winter Carnival) Le Pentathlon des neiges is Canada’s most important outdoor winter event. It will attract 2,800 amateur and elite athletes.

“Along with some of the best Olympians and Paralympians, we will be making up the Tellement Sport team,” said Olympic Biathlon competitor Martine Albert, spokesperson for Le Pentathlon des neiges La Vie Sportive. “It is with great pleasure that I will participate in the Corporate Challenge. It is more of a fun challenge for me and the aim is to encourage the children of the Québec region who cannot afford to do sporting activities. All companies are welcome to participate in this event and support a good cause. Come and have fun with your fellow workers in an exceptional and friendly atmosphere.”

Corporate challenge to the benefit of “Let’s Get Moving at School”

Two corporate races will be promoting the Québec Student Sport Network’s “Let’s Get Moving at School” program. After having supported more than 300 families in 2010, the goal for 2011 is to be able to support 500 children from the region of Québec. The Boulevard Toyota Corporate Challenge will take place on Feb. 19, followed on February 20 by the new National Capital Health and Social Services Day, sponsored by La Capitale Financial Group.

Olympians to race La Vie Sportive Elite Long Distance Challenge

On Feb. 27, the Pentathlon will present La Vie Sportive Elite Long Distance Challenge, an event custom-made for high performance athletes, with $6,000 to be awarded in prizes. Tandem Paralympian Cyclist Pierre-Olivier Boily (QC) will not only compete in the Corporate Challenge held on Feb. 19 under the colors of his official beer Siboire – the Sherbrooke-based microbrewery – but also in the Long Distance Solo Challenge.

2010 winner Pascal Bussières will fight for his title. 2009 Champion and Triathlon competitor Charles Perreault (absent in 2010) will be back to fight for the title. Olympian Joël Bourgeois, a first-time participant in the Pentathlon, will also take part in the event, in addition to his participation to the Corporate Challenge with the Tellement Sport team. Mountain biker Éric Tourville and Marie-Josée Dufour, who both placed 2nd in 2010, will also be in the starting blocks. Olympian and professional cyclist Lyne Bessette will participate in the Pentathlon for the first time and also try to win the Elite Solo Challenge.

Record Number of Participants

Le Pentathlon des neiges La Vie Sportive has won the “most remarkable new event in Canada” award presented by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance and has distinguished itself as the largest outdoor winter event in Canada. As registrations closed on Feb. 10, the Pentathlon outreached its goal of 2,700 participants in 2011. So far, 2,794 enthusiasts have registered in the various categories (Corporate, Student, Family & Friends, Merrell Short Distance and La Vie Sportive Long Distance).

“In 2010, we increased the size of the facilities to accommodate a larger number of participants. In spite of these improvements, the Short Distance Challenge and the Long Distance Challenge were fully booked for the third year in a row,” said Executive Director François Calletta. “In order to maintain this growth as well as our position as the leading Canadian outdoor winter event, we added two new challenges to the 2011 program. In addition, the traditional competitions have been improved.”

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Feb. 17 – Winter Games of thee Fifth Canadian Military Squad

Snowshoe, toboggan, military ski, skating, tug of war and special stretcher race activities will be held. For the first time, the public will have the chance to attend the races for free, as they were up until now held exclusively on the Military Base of Valcartier.

Feb. 24 – 600 Students to Attend School Invitational Tournament

Elementary and high school students are invited to participate in the Fourth School Invitational Tournament on Feb. 24. More than 600 students are expected to participate. They will compete for one of the official banners of the Québec Student Sport Network.

Merrell Short Distance – Family and Friends Challenge – High School Invitational Tournament

On Feb. 26, the Pentathlon will host the Merrell Short Distance Challenge and the Family and Friends Challenge, as well as the High School Invitational Tournament of the Québec Student Sport Network. These are the most popular activities of Le Pentathlon and more than 1,000 athletes will attend.

For more information about Le Pentathlon des neiges, visit www.pentathlondesneiges.com.

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