Winter Celebration
His Excellency participated in the Giant Ski Race, presented by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. During this friendly competition, the Governor General competed against none other than His Excellency Else Berit Eikeland, Ambassador of Norway; His Excellency Teppo Tauriainen, Ambassador of Sweden; His Excellency Risto Piipponen, Ambassador of Finland; Mr. Russell Mills, Chairman of the board of directors at the National Capital Commission; Mr. Jean-François Trépanier, Executive Vice-President of Operations at the National Capital Commission; the family of "Jackrabbit" Johannsen; media representatives and members of the public.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-005
Their Excellencies met with “Jackrabbit” Johannsen’s family members in front of artefacts that once belonged to Mr. Johannsen, one of the pioneers of skiing in Canada. The exhibit was presented by the Canadian Ski Museum.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-001
The young and the young at heart enjoyed skating on the historic Rideau Hall rink built by Lord Dufferin in 1872.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-011
Their Excellencies enjoyed a dog sled ride on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-010
The Governor General took the time to speak to young skiers from the Nakkertok Cross-Country Ski Club who provided cross-country skiing demonstrations to visitors.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-009
Students performed a drumming dance for His Excellency.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-007
The Governor General met with students of Nunavut Sivuniksavut who shared their Inuit culture and language through drumming, dancing, throat singing and winter activities.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-006
The Governor General met with the Ice Hog family, Winterlude's official mascots, who came to visit Rideau Hall.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-004
Their Excellencies visited staff from the Military Family Resource Centre where they wrote a message of solidarity that will be sent to troops serving in Afghanistan.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-002
The Governor General laced up his skates to play bandy, a form of field hockey on ice. This activity was presented by the Embassy of Sweden.
Sat, 01/29/2011 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2011-0023-012