Mr. Speaker, the second annual Course de la banquise Portneuf-Alcoa, an ice canoe race, took place on February 12.
Nearly 200 canoeists in 35 teams in the competition category and 6 recreation teams put their skills, endurance and willpower to the test to cross the ice-covered St. Lawrence between the Portneuf marina and Pointe-au-Platon, in Lotbinière.
Over 2,000 spectators came out to encourage their favourites and support this event, which promotes athletic performance, the great outdoors, our traditions and recreational tourism.
Such an event would be impossible without the support of volunteers, the municipality of Portneuf, the excellent work of the dedicated organizing committee and its visionary general director, Pierre de Savoye.
Congratulations to all the teams and, of course, the winners deserve a special mention: Croisières Lachance as best recreational team; Choix du Président-Solnat as best women's team; Ciment-Québec won the company challenge award; and Château Laurier-Junex won in the competition category.