By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The weather was chilly outside, and the snow conditions were perfect at Arrowhead Recreation Area for the Annual Cardboard Sled Race on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Teams used their imaginations, a sense of ingenuity and a little creative flair to design cardboard sleds to glide down the mountain quickly, while others struggled with a few had epic wipeouts.
The fan-favorite race drew wild cheers as contestants zoomed down the mountain, while others struggled and received super encouragement and cheers from the crowd at the finish line.
Arrowhead Recreation Club Board Vice President Brian Zutter said he DJ’d the race in 2023 and now plays an active role in making it such a success.
“We’ve got things rolling here, and I’m having a blast,” said Zutter. “The weather is cold, which is great for us because we like to make snow and have snow.”
He noted the sleds are great.
“We were actually able to pull off a tubing section this morning from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., and it was fun to have a bunch of tubers here smoothing down the snow so it’s nice and fast for the cardboard sled racers.”
Christine Bedell led the Horse Huggers 4-H Team from Cornish, and Team Cornish designed a Leprechaun-themed “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day” sled for the big event.
“I took a little over three weeks to make,” said Bedell. “We went out to a local business for cardboard boxes, the Meriden Deli, and the owner let us use some boxes to build our sled.”
Leprechaun Elliamma Lamotte from White River Junction, Vermont, said she became the mascot after some extensive negotiations.
“I love how the 4-H Club involves animals like horses, and I love horses,” said Lamotte.
First Mate Rod Beaton from the Pirate Sled Zelda said Captain Emmit Beaton, along with older siblings, enjoyed creating their vessel in 2023.
“We’ve been working on it for about a week,” Rod said. “We have our sail on top to push us along, a sloped front and a nice smooth keel on the bottom.”
Rod loves the snow.
“It’s fast, fun, and here, so we might as well take advantage of it,” he said.
Thaddeus Martin led the Claremont 4-H Club Willy Wonka Golden Ticket sled team that coordinated their look with matching white sunglasses and matching hats bought online.
“We voted on the design, we decided on the yacht and we wanted a chocolate theme,” he said. “We have a lot of wax on the bottom of our yacht. Seven of us are going to race.”
Owen Deluca carried the Golden Ticket and said the design was easy.
“We cut cardboard, put golden tape over it, and wrote Wonka Golden Ticket,” he said. “I like robotics a lot, and we get to travel during competitions.”
This year’s race sponsors were many, including the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center, Claremont Parks and Recreation Department, Claremont Spice & Dry Goods, The Wheel House Bike Shop, Healthy Connections, Copperhead Line Dancing, Sharon’s VIP Damsel In Defense, Claremont Savings Bank, Blackbeard’s Cove Adventure Golf, North Country Smokehouse, Tremont House of Pizza, TC’s Pantry, Girl Scout Troop 30261, Home Depot and Runnings.
For more information about Arrowhead Recreation Area, visit arrowheadnh.com.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.