Boivin takes two fifths at ‘worlds’

Curtis Boivin was beset by some mechanical bugs, but still made a statement that he belongs up there with some of the best young snowmobile racers in the world.
The 11-year-old Fort Frances rider zoomed his way to a pair of fifth-place finishes at the world snowmobile championships in Eagle River, Wis. last weekend.
The thrills began Friday night for Boivin, who took part in the “Friday Night Thunder” exhibition series of races. He placed second in the Champ 120 class, then fourth in the Formula One division.
Saturday morning marked the official start of the races and Boivin was ready to roar—taking fifth spot in a field of 10 competitors in the final of the Junior Novice group.
Then on Sunday morning, Boivin entered the Junior Novice and Junior Novice Champ classes with an eye on the podium. Instead, two rough starts meant a finish to his chances.
“He spun out at the starting line in both of his heats,” said Boivin’s father, Al, who had accompanied him to the event.
“He worked his way from the back of the pack to finish fourth both times, but that wasn’t enough to qualify him for the final,” he added.
Later Sunday, with racing moving from the bigger main track to the smaller Kitty Cat oval, Boivin got back on track with a fifth-place result in the Champ 120 final.
Then in the Formula One division, Boivin captured his heat and looked to be building momentum. But in the semi-finals, he blew a shock on his machine, nullifying his steering ability.
He raced anyway, but failed to make the final.
Thanks to some quick repairs by his father, Boivin went out and took second in the consolation final.
“We’re not disappointed with how the weekend went,” said Al Boivin. “The competition was fierce, but we learned a lot, and had a lot of fun. We’re definitely going back next year.”
The younger Boivin will join other racers from Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota at the fifth-annual Canadian Kitty Cat Championships on Sand Bay here March 12-13.
This will mark the first time the event has been held over two days.