The 2009 Hoigaard’s Challenge opened with a fine City of Lakes Loppet. Caitlin Compton and Bjorn Batdorf opened with early leads in the overall competition. Compton is currently over four and a half minutes ahead of second place Mary Beth Tuttle, but Bjorn Batdorf is just two seconds ahead of Anders Osthus. This year, because the Classic race was over seven kilometers shorter than the freestyle event, organizers adjusted the classic times after analyzing and comparing the results of the two events. For more information on the analysis used, send an email to registration@cityoflakesloppet.com.

• Overall Male Results
• Overall Female Results
• Age class results Male
• Age class results Female

• Final Standings
• Recap

• What is the Challenge?
• Guidelines
• Standings
• Loppet Ski Club / Loppet Tri Club / Loppet Run Club
• Registration

The City of Lakes Loppet, Tri-Loppet and Trail Loppet. Do all three events in a single year and qualify for awards and recognition:

• Participation - Participate in at least one event at the Loppet, Tri-Loppet and Trail Loppet in the same year.
1. Hoigaard’s Challenge Pin - All participants presented with a special Challenge pin.
2. Bearskin Drawing - All participants qualify to win a one-week trip for two to Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail.

• Competition Categories - Complete the Freestyle or Hoigaard's Classic at the Loppet, the Doubles or Solo category at the Tri-Loppet, and the Half-Marathon at the Trail Loppet and qualify for age class and overall prizes:
1. Age Class - Age class awards: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39... 70+
2. Overall - The male and female overall winners receive a one-week trip for two to Bearskin Lodge on the Gunflint Trail.

Challenge Events: For Participation categories (Challenge pin and Bearskin Drawing) participate in at least one event at the Loppet, Tri-Loppet and Trail Loppet in the same year.

For Competition categories:

• At the City of Lakes Loppet - Compete in the Loppet Freestyle or the Hoigaard's Classic. Typically the Classic and Freestyle times are similar (Freestyle skiing is typically faster, but the Classic race is a little shorter than the Freestyle). However, if the aggregate times are significantly different, the Nordic Ski Foundation may adjust one or the other for purposes of Series scoring so there is not an unfair advantage for doing one race or the other.]
• Tri-Loppet - Compete in either the Solo (paddle, run and bike individually) or Doubles (paddle with a partner, run and bike individually) categories.
• Trail Loppet - Compete in the half marathon.

To determine placement in the Series, simply add the times together from the Loppet, Tri-Loppet and Trail Loppet.

The Loppet Tri/Run/Ski Clubs are low-key training groups designed to make participants comfortable with participating in Loppet events.

Loppet Tri Club / Register Now

Interested in the Tri-Loppet but need a confidence booster? Sign up for the Loppet Tri Club. The Tri Club offers a low-key opportunity to learn paddling and mountain biking technique and to meet other new and newer tri-athletes.

Details:

• April 27-June 22, 2009
• Low-key group, focused on preparing for the City of Lakes Loppet.
• Designed for beginner to intermediate paddlers, mountain bikers and trail runners.
• Learn to paddle, mountain bike and trail run with a fun group of people who share your interest in outdoor activity.
• Led by a team of experienced paddlers, mountain bikers and trail runners – with weekly talks by experts in the field.
• Mondays: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. at the Theodore Wirth Chalet.
• 612 604-5330

How do I register?

• There is no separate registration necessary for the Hoigaard’s Challenge. Simply participate in all three events (but use the same exact name in order to avoid confusion)