(pictured is wife Elise Sumanik)
Don Sumanik was inducted to the Hall of Fame for his major contribution to
cross-country skiing in Whitehorse.
A resident of Yukon since 1966, Don was a major factor in the expansion
of cross-country skiing in the territory. For many years he worked at
cutting trails, setting ski tracks, serving as president of the
Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club and promoting major ski events. Don was
primarily responsible for bringing the 1974 Canadian National Junior
Cross Country Championships, the 1976 Canadian National Senior Championships
and the 1980 Canadian National Junior Cross Country Championships to
Whitehorse. He also served as the Race Chair for the 1974 and 1976
events and in 1975 he was Chair of the Canadian Ski Association. Don's
greatest contribution was bringing the 1981 World Cup Ski Race to Whitehorse
and getting the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Chalet built in time
for the event. The Edmonton Journal wrote on November 27, 1980:
"Don Sumanik's efforts on behalf of cross country skiing would
have surprised even the most skeptical of people who felt
the World Cup finals would be only a dream the Yukon could
never realize."
Even when he was quite ill waiting for his second heart surgery
of the year, Don actively participated during the week of the race
and was appointed World Cup Chair. Don Sumanik passed away on
December 1, 1982.
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