Winnipeg contest calls for 'wind-powered personal propulsion contraptions'

A new winter contest is inviting people to find creative ways to propel themselves along Winnipeg's river skating trail.

The Forks launched the first-ever Winter Wind Derby on Thursday, throwing down a challenge that echoesthe invention-ageof Leonardoda Vinci.

"Designers, tinkerers, artistsand everyday gadgeteers" are invited to concoct andenter their own "wind-powered, personal propulsion contraption," according to the contest.

How it works:

• Design your propulsion contraption.
• Register online throughThe Forks website.
• Have your contraption ready to go for Feb. 5, 2016.
• Wait for the call. When the winter wind conditions are just right, participants will be given48 hours' notice of when and where to meetfor the derby.
• At the derby participants will attempt to "fly" down a portion of the Red River Mutual Trail. The one who goes the furthest will be crowned the winner.

"If Winnipeggers can relate to anything it's winter and wind," said PaulJordan, CEO ofTheForksRenewal Corporation.

"How many timeshave you gone skating and figured if you had a sail, the wind could carry you the whole way?This competition gets you thinking creatively to embrace our windy city instead of fear it."

• Winnipeg on-ice restaurant at The Forks has new design elements
• Warming huts take shape at The Forks

The contest is another way for people to get outin a city where the rivers are frozen almost half of the year. And many of those activities already happen at, or are hosted byThe Forks:

• Winnipeggerscrowd theskating trails that curve along theAssiniboineand Red rivers, wind through The Forks, circle under the canopy,and cross an old rail bridge.
• The annualpop-uprestaurant on the ice is always sold out in advance.
• The warming hut contest is in its sixth year of attracting international designers to create architectural pieces along the skating trail.
• Arctic Glacier Winter Park offers up tobogganand snowboardhills.
• The snow loungealong the skating trails on the rail bridge invite skaters to take a break on a couch or chair made entirely of snow.