BEHIND THE SCENES

In the aftermath of the World Masters Championship in Calgary, much has been said and written about the accomplishments of the competitors - results, times and records. There are many others, however - both skaters and non-skaters, who are working behind the scenes for the advancement of masters speed skating in Canada and elsewhere. As we reflect back on the season which is winding down, I'd like to mention a few of these people.

ANIKA BEDARD - pictured at right with her Ste-Foy friend and training partner Genevieve Provencher. In addition to being an accomplished speed skater, Anika maintains La page des patineurs de vitesse maîtres which provides information to french-speaking masters speed skaters in Canada. She has spent endless hours translating most of the posts which appear in english on this page. Anika has also been instrumental in the creation of the newly-formed Canadian Masters Speed Skating Committee and initiated the creation of the alternate masters skinsuit which many competitors were wearing in Calgary.

Photo by Rene Therrien

BOB LAURENCE - In 2003, Bob initiated the creation of the first Canadian masters skinsuit which most competitors were wearing in Calgary and which was first seen in Inzell GER in 2004 in the 13th Masters International Speed Skating Games. Bob has also single-handedly facilitated the creation of Canadian masters baseball hats and toques which many masters can be seen wearing. Bob is pictured here in Calgary last month sporting the one-and-only original skinsuit prototype #1 - still wearing well 3 years after its creation.

Photo by Tim Reilly

LARRY MAGLOIRE - When he's not speed skating, Larry's a professional graphic designer. Many of the Canadians wearing the masters skinsuit in Calgary may not realize that Larry designed it, and the logo on it, back in 2004. Three years later in Calgary, Larry finally got to wear a prototype suit #3 for the first time in the 16th World Masters Games. Larry's dedication to speed skating extends to many many hours coaching young skaters in the Brampton Ontario club.

Photo by Tim Reilly

REG VAN DRECHT - Reg was the lone master from Atlantic Canada at the Calgary competition and previously represented Canada at the 13th International Games in Inzell GER. His Fredricton NB company, Valley Graphics, has done all the printing of the logos and lettering on the Canadian skinsuits.

TIM REILLY - As recently profiled on Zen and the Art of Speed Skating, Tim Reilly took over 1,700 photographs of the Calgary Games while, at the same time, providing encouragement to his skater-wife Kathie Zapatocki and others. Tim's photos were shown on the large video screens at Cowboys during the closing ceremonies of the Games.

Photo by Ann Hanham

MIKE RIVET - Mike has been working with a large group of masters speed skaters from the Ottawa area, preparing them since last summer for the Calgary Games. His coaching program through the late fall and early winter included trips to Lake Placid and Ste-Foy for marathon races and training sessions while waiting for the brief appearance of Ottawa's Brewer Park natural ice oval in late January - February. Pictured below (8th from left) with his team wearing their new masters skinsuits, Mike cheerfully extended his expertise and guidance to many additional skaters in Calgary including those from other provinces and countries. As a former Canadian national team member, Mike's advice was not to be taken lightly and assisted a great number of competitors, including myself, to exceed their personal goals. By my observations, Mike may have spent about 50 to 60 hours on the ice in his skates during the training sessions and races of the Calgary Games.

Photo by Tim Reilly

TAWNYA YARD - Tawnya is the program coordinator / head coach for the Calgary Speed Skating Association. Similar to Mike, she started working on initiatives to get local masters keen for the Calgary Games almost a year before the actual competition. Her hard work paid off as 14 CSSA masters became keen enough to order masters skinsuits for the competition. Tawnya was also seen putting in long hours on the ice throughout the preceding training sessions and the actual competition.

ALICIA WEISS - Alicia is a key promotor of masters speed skating in the Ottawa area where she reports the Pacers Club masters group has 40 current members and 60 past members/interested people. Alicia is also a keen photographer of masters speed skating - particularly marathon racing. Her pictures can be seen at A Leesh’s photos.

BRETT ARNASON - In 2005 while competing at the 14th Games in Baselga de Pine, Brett took it upon himself to attend the International Masters Speed Skating Committee meeting which was also being held. Since that time, Brett has represented Canada to the IMSSC and was also recently voted spokesperson for the newly-formed Canadian Masters Speed Skating Committee. In addition, Brett is active in local speed skating in the Winnipeg MAN area, where he helped to raise funds for the North American Speed Skating Championships recently held there.

MARY O'DONNELL - Mary served as the USA representative to the IMSSC for more years than I know and only recently stepped down. It was great to see Mary skating in Calgary in the penultimate competition of the masters organization she has helped to build.

Photo by Tim Reilly

ANDREW LOVE - Andrew is not so much behind the scenes as some others - as his avidly-followed blog Zen and the Art of Speed Skating is well known to most master skaters. Andrew's site is one of the best on-line chronicles of speed skating and is helping enormously to build masters speed skating both internationally and in North America. Perhaps less known is Andrew's recent agreement to take over from Mary as the USA representative to the IMSSC.

Photo by Tim Reilly

DR. STEPHEN GUNTHER & HARRY DINGLE - These two USA masters, who both competed in the recent Calgary Games, have been largely responsible for organizing the only annual international masters speed skating event in North America held each year at Milwaukee's Pettit Center. Through this event, Steve and Harry are building interest and organization in masters speed skating in the USA.

I'm sure there are many many other builders and promoters who are, or have been, working behind the the scenes. To those who I may have overlooked, or am unaware - I apologize and extend thanks from all masters speed skaters for the great work you're doing.

My sense is that masters speed skating is at an all-time high in Canada and the USA - a phenomena that I hope is more than the result of the International Games being held in Calgary's Olympic Oval. Perhaps there is a momentum created on which we can continue to build.