Ian Mellors, meet coordinator and President of the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club sent the following report about this event held December 29 to 30, 2006 in Canmore Alberta:
The first annual Masters Ice Racing Challenge provided a weekend of fast and exciting racing. Nine skaters lined up for the event, including Master 2 skater Alex Seal of Salmon Arm, B.C., and Master 4 skater Gary Link of Vernon, B.C. The racing started with the 1000m taking place Friday night. The 1000m A Final foreshadowed the racing for the weekend, as Tim Cooney, Master 2, edged Ian Mellors, Master 1, by .12 sec, in a time of 1:42.56. By the end of the weekend, three of the four 4 finals would see a combined margin of victory of .44 seconds. Only in the 500m final was there a clear margin of victory, as Tim stormed his way to a time of 47.96 sec and a new Master 2 Canadian Record. Master 3 skater Alan McNutt of Rocky Mountain House, Ab, complete with his own cheering section, made his competitive debut in the 1000m.
After the racing Friday night, some of the skaters and officials headed out to Bandoleers Restaurant to celebrate the event. While all enjoyed fine food and good music, everyone headed home early in preparation for Saturday's racing.
Saturday's racing was combined with the Canmore Ice Racing Challenge, the annual short track ability meet hosted by the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club. The Masters though enjoyed skating on the fresh ice immediately after the floods, ensuring that the skating remained fast and safe.
As racing resumed Saturday, the Masters said good by to Joey O’Brien, Master 3, Canmore, AB., who was feeling somewhat under the weather, but did manage to take 5 seconds off of his 1000m time Friday night, enroute to a 4th in the A final. Ian Sutherland, Master 2, from Lethbridge, AB., arrived for racing on Saturday, and like Alan, Ian was making his competitive debut. Ian battled hard with fellow Lethbridge skater Tom Copps, Master 3, edging Tom in the 777m and 500m finals, with Tom prevailing in the 1500m final.
Alex and Gary continued their battle for third all day Saturday. Gary avenged his 5th place in the 1000m to take 3rd in both the 777m and 500m, setting up a battle for the Bronze in the 1500m final. Ian and Tim continued their season long battle with Ian edging Tim in the 777m final, before Tim rocketed to the 500m win.
As the skaters lined up for the 1500m final, the Gold and Bronze medals were still up for grabs. When the gun went off, someone forgot to tell Alex that this was a strategic endurance event. Alex took off at a furious pace, dragging Ian and Tim around behind him. With 6 laps to go Ian made his move on Alex in an attempt to get the jump on Tim. Tim was not to be caught napping, and although Ian pulled a small gap, Tim was able to close in, before taking the lead with 3 laps to go. Tim held off Ian’s desperate last lap attacks to take the win, the Gold medal and establish a new Master 2 Canadian 1500m record at 2:35.50. Alex maintained his hot pace to solo home in 2:42.01 to take 3rd place and the Bronze medal.
#2 Alex Seal (Salmon Arm, B.C.), leads # 72 Ian Mellors (Canmore, Ab), and #96 Tim Cooney (Lethbridge, Ab), during the 1500m A Final.
Before the end of the weekend, Tim would also be recognized as the Canmore Ice Racing Challenge Overall Meet Champion, for being the fastest skater at the competition.
As the Masters cleaned up to head home, everyone was in great spirits; both Alex and Gary promised to return for next year’s event.
For both the skaters and organizers the event was great success. I would personally like to thank those whose support and encouragement made the event go from an idea to reality, Paul Shoebridge, Ross Hanham, Guy Bushell, Norine Hori and the executive of the Banff/Canmore SSC. We are looking forward to a bigger and better event next year.
Ian Mellors
Meet Coordinator
President – Banff/Canmore SSC
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