Yesterday was the second edition of the Défi Canot à glace Bota Bota Montréal (Bota Bota Montreal Ice Canoe Challenge).

This was the 4th of five winter races scheduled by the Circuit Québécois de Canot à Glace. The race attracted 35 participants across 3 classes (elite men, elite women and sport).

Thankfully the rain and higher temperatures that descended on Montreal Friday didn’t thaw all the ice along the course, with the best section (in my opinion) being the Alexandra basin that remained iced over.

Despite a strong wind, the weather was almost spring like – unlike last year when the race took place during a heavy snow storm.

The starting point was adjacent to the ice fishing village at the Quai de l’Horloge.

Défi Canot à Glace Bota Bota Montréal 2014
ISO 200 – 70mm – f9 – 1/500 sec

Défi Canot à Glace Bota Bota Montréal 2014
ISO 200 – 20mm – f8 – 1/400 sec

One of the great aspects of the Montreal race is that the course runs close to many viewing points beginning with the quays in the old port which were lined with spectators.

Défi Canot à Glace Bota Bota Montréal 2014
ISO 200 – 20mm – f7.1 – 1/400 sec

Fighting the current
ISO 200 – 116mm – f11 – 1/320 sec

Défi Canot à Glace Bota Bota Montréal 2014
ISO 200 – 70mm – f11 – 1/500 sec

Défi Canot à Glace Bota Bota Montréal 2014
ISO 200 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/5000 sec

Broadway Micro Brasserie team
ISO 200 – 300mm- f11 – 1/320 sec

Passion Krafts and Blaxton Womens elite teams
ISO 200 – 180mm – f5.6 – 1/2500 sec

There was no time for a dip in the outdoor hot tub for team Bota Bota…although my guess is they are in good hands for recovering from aches and pains today.

Bota Bota Spa team pass by their home base
ISO 200 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/2500 sec

Habitat 67 backdrop to Ice Canoe Challenge
ISO 200 – 70mm – f25 – 1/125 sec

In pursuit
ISO 200 – 85mm – f13 – 1/400 sec

Bota Bota Montreal Ice Canou Challenge
ISO 200 – 270mm – f13 – 1/400 sec

Pharmacie Lévesque et Labbé team
ISO 200 – 220mm – f6.3 – 1/640 sec

Montreal Ice Canoe Challenge
ISO 200 – 70mm – f6.3 – 1/1000 sec

La Ronde in the far distance
ISO 100 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/800 sec

Le Château Frontenac team
ISO 100 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/1000 sec

Le Château Frontenac team in step
ISO 100 – 180mm – f5 – 1/1000 sec

After the last boat had passed, I took a moment to get a shot of the Montreal skyline from Windmill Point at the edge of the Bassin Alexandra…

Montreal skyline
ISO 100 – 13mm – f5 – 1/2000 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

I had planned on doing some timelapses from various locations on the course, but ended up just making a short segment at the Alexandra Quay.

Congratulations to all the teams that took part and to the organisers for making this a great event in Montreal’s annual festive calendar.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

Montréal in Pictures

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