BANGOR, Maine — Maine already has an established skijoring scene, and it's continuing to grow.
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.
Maine's longest-running skijoring event is Skijor Skowhegan, which will be in its sixth year this year. Skijor Topsham was born two years ago and is back for a third year. Skijor Bangor is new this year, completing the Maine Skijoring Triple Crown.
Here's the schedule:
- Skijor Topsham // Topsham Fairgrounds // 10 a.m. Feb. 10
- Skijor Skowhegan // Skowhegan State Fairgrounds // 11 a.m. Feb. 24
- Skijor Bangor // Bangor Raceway // 10:30 a.m. March 2
“There’s always been that informal talk of a Triple Crown, and it doesn’t make sense for two races, really," Skijor Skowhegan organizer Mary Haley told NEWS CENTER Maine. "So, when Bangor came up it was like, 'Alright, well, let’s do it!'”
Prizes will be handed out at each individual event, and Haley also formed a Skijor Northeast entity to handle the Triple Crown scoring. The top five teams in the Pro Division at each individual race will earn points based on their place, and teams will earn one extra point for each race they attend. The goal is to connect the three events and incentivize competitors and fans to attend all three.
“I’ll be keeping track of the point system on the [Skijor Northeast] website and on our Facebook," Haley said. "I’ll be keeping track of all the points people earn at the individual races."
Jodi MacGregor is the organizer of the new Skijor Bangor event. It will be held at the Hollywood Hotel Casino and Raceway, which offers great amenities for people and horses traveling long distances to get there. Because the track is used year-round, overnight horse stalls are available, and the hotel is offering discounted rooms for competitors, too.
“People can come and have a stall Friday and Saturday night and come for the whole weekend and not have to worry about their horse," MacGregor explained. "And be able to compete and not be tired by the time they drive here early in the morning and whatnot. And then the hotel offering discounted rooms, blocking rooms for the event, is a win-win for everybody.”
The Topsham, Skowhegan, and Bangor races will all include food and beer vendors. Spectators are encouraged to revel in the atmosphere of the occasion.
“It’s just got a lot of energy and you can’t help but get sucked into the energy," Haley said about the feeling of being at a skijoring event. "And you’ve got the beer garden, and you’re watching from the sidelines. It’s just a big-energy event, and it’s infectious, and you’re rooting for them to win, but you’re also excited for the crashes.”
"I would say breathe deep," MacGregor added. "Breathe the fresh air. Bring your outside voice. Yell, scream, holler. Have some food and drink. And enjoy the show.”