For the third year in a row, USA and Canadian ESTOS converged on Mont Tremblant, Quebec on March 7th for a 3-day weekend of skiing, snowboarding and socializing. This year’s group surged to over 220 people with the mix of participants being fairly evenly split between our friends from the north and USA ESTOS.
The steady growth in attendance over the last 3 years seems to be mainly youth driven and suggests that the Idaranniku Esto Suusapäevad (56 years) tradition will continue on via the next generation and beyond.
The itinerary this year included a Friday apresski hospitality function hosted by Eesti Spordiliit USA (Estonian American Amateur Athletes). The private Library Room at Sommet Des Neiges hotel was packed with ESTOS who had a 3-hour opportunity to mingle and make new friends.
The traditional ski race, which took place on Saturday morning was sponsored by the Estonian Foundation of Canada (Eesti Sihtkapital Kandas). There were 65 racers in total, the 2019 medal and trophy winners are noted below. Saturday evening Awards Party tickets were sold out and the evening’s program also included a performance by Saare Vikat Folkdancers from NYC – another step towards Tantsupidu this summer!
Trophy Winners
Best Mens Skier – Connor O’Brien
Best Womens Skier – Sarah Männik
Best Youth Skier – Angelika Moore
Best Young Mens Skier – Hansen Neges
Best Young Womens Skier – Martha Männik
Best Mens Snowboarder – Erik Must
Best Womens Snowboarder – Liis Jõgi
Medals Winners –
Skiers & Boarders
Girls 10 & Under
Gold – Helena Kolga 127.38
12 to 16
Gold – Sarah Männik 21.6
Silver – Martha Männik 27.11
Bronze – Maarika Neges 31.9
18 to 28
Gold – Teija Jõgi 22.40
Silver – Liisa Balazs 25.29
Bronze Angelika Moore 25.95
40+
Gold – Outi Leis – 24.58
Silver – Leili Pede-Foster
Bronze – Karin Jõgi 28.17
Female Snowboarders
Gold – Liis Jõgi 32.42
Silver – Marissa Karuks 34.12
Bronze – Ingrid Nagy 38.13
MEN
12 to 16
Gold – Kalev Neges 23.91
Silver – Christopher Becker 25.86
Bronze – Mats Leis 26.82
17-22
Gold – Matti Muru 19.86
Silver – Tiivo Ruutpõld 21.70
Bronze – Hansen Neges 22.00
25 to 30
Gold – Karl Hantho 19.53
Silver – Aleks Jõgi 22.77
Bronze – Markus Põldma 26.78
30 to 50
Gold – Andres Kolga 26.26
Silver – Marcus Kolga 26.88
Bronze – Markus Must 27.17
50 to 60
Gold – Connor O’Brien 18.75
Silver – Mark Hantho 20.11
Bronze – Heino Bastys
Seniors
Gold – Rob Muru 22.02
Silver – Allan Siim 23.81
Bronze – Valter Must 24.02
Snow Boarders
Young Men
Gold – Kristjan Tõõtsov 33.26
Mens
Gold – Erik Must 32.15
Silver – Martin Lehesalu 35.19
Bronze – Markus Vaska 35.74
Complete race results can be found on the following web page: http://www.estonianhousenewyork.com/spordiliit.html
Along with my co-organizers Aini Maripuu, Mikk Jõgi, Erik Must, Aleks Jõgi and Marissa Karuks we would once again like to thank everyone who attended this year’s ESTO Ski event.
Looking forward to an even larger group next year…early survey results seem to point to another return to Mt Tremblant? In the meantime, hope to see you at one of the future Eesti Spordiliit events on the calendar below.
Andrus Ers
2019 Calendar of Events Eesti Spordiliit USA
Long Island’i Spordipäev/Jaanipäev 6/15
Long Island’i Lastesuvekodu 7/138/01
Lakewoodi Eesti Mängud 8/02-8/04
Võrkpallilaager Kanadas 8/04-8/10
Lakewoodi Skautlaager 8/10-8/17
Bike Event – Jim Thorpe May weekend
Golf Tournament – Locust Valley 10/05
