A revised version in collaboration with public health authorities
Valcourt, November 19, 2020 – With its 39th edition only three months away, the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt is working tirelessly to reach its goal of holding this event of vital importance to the Eastern Townships region on February 12, 13 and 14, 2021.
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt – Photo credit: Byron Fitcher
Over the past few months, the organizing committee has been working with the regional public health directorate, law enforcement and its partners in an attempt to actually hold the event, all while maintaining a high degree of safety for the participants and the people of Valcourt and the region.
Of course, in the current circumstances, this edition will be very different than those of previous years.
“This event will definitely be different than those of the past,” says event director, Véronique Lizotte. “Unfortunately, we have been forced to make difficult decisions over the past few weeks, but we believe it is possible, by working together with the public health directorate, to hold an outdoors event that is safe and respects a strict protocol, all while still remaining spectacular. We are really looking forward to presenting the 39th edition to the athletes who are going through hard times, but also to our fans and partners who have been supporting us for nearly 40 years.”
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt – Photo credit: Byron Fitcher
Necessary changes
Considering how unpredictable the coming weeks and months will be, the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt today made the tough decision to showcase only the snocross and snow bike events.
This change entails cancelling all races on the ice oval for the 2021 edition.
However, this programming change will allow the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt to focus on the snocross track by using the section now available to build a new circuit that promises to be spectacular.
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt – Photo credit: Byron Fitcher
“The organizing committee has thought long and hard about it, but it is impossible for the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt to present high calibre professional snowmobile races on the ice oval,” says Véronique Lizotte. “The borders are currently closed, so American athletes are unable to attend. We also need to minimize financial risks for the organization. The construction and upkeep of the ice oval represents a significant portion of the event’s operating costs. Under normal circumstances, we need to start building in December to have good quality ice ready for the event in February. This is only a postponement of the festivities until we can celebrate our 40th anniversary next year.”
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt is still working closely with public health authorities, law enforcement and its partners to determine whether or not spectators will be admitted.
“Public health and safety are at the forefront of our discussions,” insists Véronique Lizotte. “At this point in time, we cannot confirm whether spectators will be allowed in or not. In any case, we are working to present the event online through our digital platforms, as we have done in the past, but with a high-quality and expanded offering. We will keep you abreast of any changes as they occur.”
Véronique Lizotte- Photo credit: Byron Fitcher
About the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt is the world’s largest winter racing event. This premiere winter event for adrenalin junkies is also one of the biggest winter events taking place in Quebec, with more than 30,000 visitors each year. That’s 15 times the normal population of the town of Valcourt! Fans arrive from all across Quebec, Ontario and the northeastern United States to participate in or watch the snowmobile, motorcycle, quad on ice oval, motorcycle and quad on road circuit, snocross and snow bike competitions. The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt is an important economic driver in the Eastern Townships region, generating economic spin-offs in the amount of $6 million each year.
The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt – Photo credit: Byron Fitcher
