MASTERS EVENTS 2006-07

Although 2006-07 calendars of events have not yet been posted on the websites of Speed Skating Canada (SSC), the Ontario Speed Skating Association (OSSA) or the Federation de patinage de Vitesse du Quebec (FPVQ), some information is emerging about competitions that may be of interest to Canadian and American masters skaters.

Refer to http://home.cogeco.ca/~mss/2006-07Events.doc for a summary of information and links currently available from the International Speed Skating Union (ISU), the International Masters Speed Skating Group (IMSSG) and the Cambridge Ontario Speed Skating Club (CSSC).

It's great to see a specific category for masters events on the ISU Calendar.

OSSA Regional Ability Short Track Meets include all age groups and have been historically open to masters skaters.

According to the 2006 Report from the OSSA VP Technical Programs Administration, consideration is being given to changing the North American Long Track Championships (which includes masters categories) to an olympic-style format.

According to SSC Rule K3-101, the Canadian Masters Olympic Style Championships are to be combined with Canada Cup #3. If this rule is followed, this event will be in Ste. Foy, QC for the 2nd year in a row. While this location may be attractive to eastern Canadian master skaters, it would help to make this a truly national event if the location rotated annually between a western Canadian and eastern Canadian venue. Last year's event was also poorly advertised by SSC which may have contributed to the fairly low turnout - 16 men and 3 women. Canadian masters skaters who would like to promote the growth of this event may wish to contact SSC through their local club or provincial association.

If you know of other events that may be of interest to master speed skaters, send the information and we'll add it to our 2006-07 Calendar.