TOPSHAM, Maine — After frigid temperatures for both of last year's skijoring events in Maine, a spring-like February day was overdue and welcome on Saturday for Skijor Topsham 2024.
A sport of Norwegian origin, skijoring translates to "ski driving." Skiers and snowboarders are pulled by horses and riders through a course of gates and jumps, with each team getting two runs through the course. Best time wins, and time penalties are given for any failures to follow the course correctly.
Forty-five teams were entered in Topsham across four divisions, which organizers said they were very happy with. That included nine teams in the miniature horse division, where pony meets pageantry. Though these horses (and one donkey) may be small in size, they were large in numbers, and fans were even treated to a miniature pony parade midway through the competition.
Speeds ramped up in the junior, novice, and pro divisions. The warm temperatures softened the snow, which softened the blows. The nice thing is, a clean run gets a roar from the crowd, and any sort of wipeout gets a roar from the crowd, so the crowd was roaring plenty throughout the day.
Maine's longest-running skijoring event is Skijor Skowhegan, which will be in its sixth year this year. This was the third year of Skijor Topsham. Skijor Bangor is new this year, completing the Maine Skijoring Triple Crown.
Here's the remaining schedule:
- Skijor Skowhegan // Skowhegan State Fairgrounds // 11 a.m. Feb. 24
- Skijor Bangor // Bangor Raceway // 10:30 a.m. March 2
Organizer and competitor Nicole St. Pierre said the newly-formed triple crown likely contributed to the large number of entrants in Topsham this year.
"I think it got us more entries this year, because people are going to be trying to win the Triple Crown," she explained. "It just adds a little bit more to the challenge. Everybody wants to compete and show up and do their best."
There wasn't a costume contest as part of the Topsham event, but that didn't stop teams from dressing up. Barbie and Ken made an appearance, as did multiple Santas. Across the board, outfits were fun, stylish, colorful, country, and creative, and in Skowhegan there will be awards for costume creativity.
“It’s a fun spectacle; it’s a competition," St. Pierre said. "Some of us know that we’re not going to get the fastest times, but it’s fun to come and play and it’s fun to get dressed up and have a great day."