Raid International Gaspésie
Sun, Smiley Faces and Extraordinary Energy at the Desjardins Youth Prologue
Press Release / 07.09.2018
The energy was palpable, and the smiles were contagious for the kick-off of the fifth Raid International Gaspésie! Nearly 330 high school students crossed the start line of the Desjardins Youth Prologue this afternoon, at Antoine-Bernard School in Carleton-sur-Mer, host city of the event. They came from Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and even the Eastern Townships to complete a 15-kilometer multi-sport orienteering course that combines running, cycling, swimming and canoeing.
Unlike the previous years, the weather was nothing less than exceptional! However, the strong winds of Baie-des-Chaleurs gave a hard time to many students, especially during a canoe section in the Barachois, where participants had to get a checkpoint on a floating yurt. Beginners or not, and since each team was paired with a Raid participant, the young people were all able to count on the valuable insights of an athlete with veteran experience.
Met at the finish line, Jonathan Fyfe, Head of the Desjardins Youth Prologue at the René-Lévesque School Board and designer of the course, was once again delighted how much the event was a success. Note that over the last five years, the prologue has always grown in popularity. “Teenagers are so proud to do it, whether sporty or not, they all cross the finish line with a big smile on their face, happy of their accomplishment. Beyond team spirit and self-improvement, I believe that the prologue also allows them to get to know their limits and those of their teammates.”
Among high school fifth grade students, a few were at their fifth participation, including Alexis Bernier of Carleton-sur-Mer. His team, paired with Olympian Lyne Bessette, was the first to cross the finish line. “This year, I really liked the variety of race events on the course. I even discovered places that I did not know!” Exclaims the one who intends to try the challenge of the real Raid next year.
Jules Fugère, a high school first grade student at Antoine-Bernard School, was at his first experience. “I don’t feel like walking anymore, but I really liked that!” He said spontaneously, alongside his older sister with whom he completed the race.
Many parents, friends and students from Antoine-Bernard School gathered under the sun at the finish line to cheer and applaud the young athletes. The knowledge transfer of the elite athletes to young people is a real success that allows us to say that the Desjardins Youth Prologue will be back with the same formula in 2019.
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