Quebec woman competes in all-male field

IRONWOOD - Those attending the 2015 Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus races at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds this weekend are likely to see something unique in snowmobile racing.

Eighteen-year-old Sabrina Blanchet, from Quebec, Canada, is the only female snowmobiler in the toughest races and will race against many of the best male racers in the world in the IFS 340, IFS 440, Pro Champ and the TLR Cup races.

Don't be surprised if she comes across the finish line as a winner in her number 79 Ski-Doo snowmobile, even though her Canadian Pro Tour racing team is trying out new their equipment this weekend.

She has won just about every race she has entered, since she was 7 years old. That has included the Kitty Class, 340 Junior, 380 Junior 1, Semi-Pro champ, Sport champ, Junior One champion and IFS 340 champion.

Blanchet's grandfather, Gaston Ferland, was a snowmobile racing legend in Canada and has many trophies to prove it. He also won many times in the United States.

George Samson sponsors Blanchet and owns Circuit Pro Tour Racing in Canada. Blanchet mainly speaks French and limited English, so Samson often acts as a translator.

"People tell me she has that natural talent, it's in her blood," Samson said. "She races against the guys on the big sleds. She has that need for speed."

Sampson said Blanchet's snowmobile tops out at 103, 104 and 105 miles-per-hour.

Although Blanchet gives the appearance she could be could be singing in the girls' choir or running to be prom queen, she has a steely disposition that allows her to want to be "the best of the best."

Blanchet said she never gets intimidated being the only young woman going against many of the best, battle-hardened male racers.

"She might have some feelings at the starting line, but she focuses and goes into a zone, because she has a job to do," Sampson translated. "Racing is fun and enjoyable for her. From day one, she's been a rough and tumble tomboy. She's won a lot of championships in every class."

Being the only female in the macho-world of male-dominated snowmobile racing, Blanchet was asked (through Sampson) how she's treated by male drivers.

"They all treat her well," Samson said. "They treat her like any other driver. They don't drive her into the boards or cut her off or push her. And she returns that respect."

Sampson said after Blanchet won a race in snowmobile-crazy Eagle River, Wis., one of her competitors came up to him and made an interesting statement,

"My first thought was, 'What's a girl doing out here winning,?'" the driver said. "But if I have to get beat by a girl, I'm glad it was Sabrina."

Even though she is only 18, Sampson leaves no doubt what Blanchet's ultimate goal is: Winning the world championship in Eagle River.

Back home in Canada, Blanchet seems to live a pretty normal life for a young woman.

Sampson said when she goes back to school, Blanchet plays hockey, basketball and volleyball and hangs out with a lot of normal kids. She has her driver's license and likes to race cars in the summer. She races Sampson a lot in go-carts, and he noticed she still has the "addiction to win."

Blanchet was asked where she sees her future going five years from now?

"Definitely in snow-racing, somehow, some way," she said.

Sampson said she sometimes likes to give him the business about his business.

"She tells me she's going to own my company and I'll be working for her," Sampson said.

Sampson and Blanchet said this will be the first time they have raced in Ironwood, and Quebec has no snow right now.