CHRISTINE HUDDER
Staff Reporter
BARRY’S BAY – Dozens of skiers and snowboarders gathered at Madawaska Mountain on March 11 to remember a man that touched many lives.
It was the kick off to the first-annual Alphonse Yantha Memorial Race, dedicated to the late businessman and avid volunteer. The race was organized by the Yantha family.
Lynne Yantha is Alphie’s daughter-in-law. She was at the finish line tracking times throughout the day. She said a total of 40 people took part in the fun event, which had racers navigate the hill in an attempt to make it down the course the fastest.
“We were very pleased with the turnout,” she said. “Many people have that competitive instinct that applies to all sports, including skiing and boarding. Most people have a built-in desire to challenge themselves and ‘step it up a notch.’ An open race and an open course with lots of prizes is the perfect venue for skiers and boarders to satisfy that desire. Plus it was just a really nice day to be on the slopes.”
The day could not have been nicer. A few days prior, a small dump of snow prepped the hill, and the spring like conditions on Sunday made racing down the hill an enjoyable experience.
Story continues in the March 15, 2012 issue of The Valley Gazette.