Two guesses win as dummy breaks through ice on April 15
The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation’s dummy Jean Claude Cousteau fell through the ice on Whitefish Lake at 11:53 a.m. on Sunday, April 15. (Photo courtesy FVSEF)
Two contestants tied for the closest guess when the “Jean Claude Cousteau” dummy fell through the Whitefish Lake ice as part of the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation recent fundraiser.
The official time for Jean Claude’s plunge was logged on Sunday, April 15 at 11:53:29 a.m. Tanner Babcock and Phil Jolly both guessed noon, missing the actual time by only 6 minutes, 31 seconds.
The third closest guess, only 2 minutes later, was Ashley Nadeau at 12:02 p.m. Fourth closest was Liz Hewson at 11:09 a.m. — 44 minutes too early.
The total pot generated from 682 guesses came to $1,210. The winners will share the split-the-pot total of $605, each earning $302.50.
The guesses ranged from March 1 to June 22, with 42 people guessing the April 15 date.
“Jean Claude Cousteau” is a snorkeling skier mannequin set out on the ice in front of The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and was monitored by a webcam to watch his every move.
In late March, Jean Claude suffered a fall in a wind storm that resulted in a broken leg. From that point, he maintained his vigil while sitting in a wheelchair.
“We were very pleased with the number of participants in this first-time contest,” said FVSEF president Bob Upton. “Next year we plan to kick off the contest during Winter Carnival to give residents and visitors ample time to get their guesses submitted.”
A log of all the guesses can be viewed www.whitefishicebreakup.fvsef.org.