WORLD MASTERS - DAY 1

The promise of fast ice at Calgary's Olympic Oval held true for competitors on Day 1 of the 16th International Masters Speed Skating Games. As men in 5-year age groups from 30 to 59 years raced 500m and 3000m, multiple records were broken and personal bests were set for many of the 328 participants from 13 different countries who registered for the meet.

In the 500m event, new world records were set as follows:

Men 35-39: Andrew Love (USA) - 37.40

Men 40-44: Benoit Lamarche (CAN) - 37.72

Men 45-49: Patrick Kelly (CAN) - 37.71

Men 50-54: Bruce Connor (USA) - 39.05

Men 55-59: The existing standard of 42.51 was broken by 7 skaters including Rolf Pedersen (NOR), Sallo Spetter (NED), Harrie Doesburg (NOR), Ivar Amundsen (NOR), Brynjulf Maakestad (NOR) and Ron Postma (NED) with a new record of 41.81 set by Erik Vea (NOR).

In the 3000m event, new world records were set as follows:

Men 30-34: The existing time of 4:13.17 was broken by 2 skaters including Thomas Roste (NOR) with a new record of 4:06.76 established by Jeff Bakal (CAN).

Men 35-39: The old time of 4:13.22 was bettered by 3 skaters including Drew Schemmer (CAN) and Frans Verhoeve (NED) with Danny Frederick (USA) coming out on top at 4:06.46.

Men 40-44: Eight competitors surpassed the existing record of 4:12.58 including Danny Witkamp (NED), Jim Cornell (USA), Jurgen Meijer (NED), Benoit Lamarche (CAN), Hubert Kreutz (AUT), Rene van Hofslot (NED) and Brian Boudreau (USA) with a new standard of 4:03.19 set by Jan Duif (NED).

Men 45-49: John Olafsen (NOR) - 4:09.63

Men 50-54: The existing time of 4:20.07 was broken by 2 skaters including Geir Herstad (NOR) with a new record of 4:13.65 established by Victor van den Hoff (NED).

Men 55-59: The old record of 4:24.83 was lowered by 6 skaters including Karl Eliassen (NOR), Ivar Amundsen (NOR), Sallo Spetter (NED), Ron Postma (NED) and Harrie Doesburg (NED) with a new time of 4:17.94 set by Erik Vea (NOR).

New Canadian records were also set in both distances as follows:

500m -

Men 40-49: The existing standard of 40.10 was obliterated by both Benoit Lamarche and Patrick Kelly with Patrick coming out on top by 1/100th in a time of 37.71.

Men 50-59: Eight skaters improved the old mark of 43:35 including Brian Johnston, Cliff Morrison, Brett Arnason, Lynn Sugden, Reg van Drecht, Bill Hoyne and Bob Irvine with Bob Laurence setting a new standard of 41:32.

3000m -

Men 30-39: The existing time of 4:15.36 was broken by 2 skaters including Drew Schemmer with a new record of 4:06.76 established by Jeff Bakal.

Men 40-49: Benoit Lamarche - 4:06.87

Men 50-59: Eleven skaters surpassed the existing time of 4:48.63 including Mickey Kupchyk, Brian Sulzer, Lynn Sugden, Brett Arnason, Andre Gagnon, Paul Shoebridge, Brian Johnston, Lyle Dickieson and Bob Irvine with Bob Laurence establishing a new record of 4:23.56.

It should be noted that all these records are unofficial until confirmed by the International Masters Speed Skating Committee and Speed Skating Canada.

Competition continues with Day 2 events including 500m (Men 60-89 and Women 30-79) and 1500m (Men 30-89 and Women 30-69).