Anika Bédard sent her following impressions of the 16th Masters International Speed Skating Games - the original of which is posted in French on her own website along with photos.
As I was sitting on the plane to go home to Québec City, I had many hours to reflect on the Calgary Games. Some very good memories, personal accomplishments and also some disappointments. I concluded that, most importantly, I had FUN and that the Calgary oval held its reputation as the fastest ice on earth!!!
328 skaters, 13 different counties with incredibly 100 skaters from Canada, 4 very long days of competitions during which so many international and national records and personal bests were broken. Ross did a good job at sorting out previous and new records (see his previous report). I have participated in a few games and these games were the biggest in many ways and the most competitive.
I am sure that you all went home with your own memories, easy to share with fellow skaters but sometimes difficult to share with someone who does not get it why we work out so hard at this sport! So I am sharing them with you. Here are some things I heard, saw or were reported to me:
- feeling joy and pride after a incredible 500m, feeling young again
- "sh… I forgot to change corridor (lanes)"…
- winking and waving to the crowd from a young 75 year old skater during the 1500m
- "the most important thing is, whatever happens, DON’T PANIC!"
- swallow down vomit during the 1500m … and still finish with a good time…
- see old friends and meet new ones…
- trying to learn the difficult western line dance - a difficult task for some agile skaters
- suitcases that never arrived and had to buy new skates…
- realize that you can skate for ever - or almost- when you see Joe MacDOnald at 85 still competing, cheered by the crowd: "Here cooomes JOOOE Mac DOOOOONALD!!!"…
- crashing just in front of the finish line and jumping on her bum trying to get her skate over the line…
- stolen skates
- seeing an Autobahn of skaters- at rush hour - on the oval…
- "let’s try one last start" and cutting himself on the ankle…
- having a cold on the most important competition of the year…
- learn that some skaters will never compete again…
- being with the cutest pink skaters in the world… (I have to say here that this comment does not come from me! I would like to add that the guys in the bright orange suits don’t look too bad also!)
- long talks with former Olympians
See you next year!
- Anika
1 comment:
Anika,
It was nice to finally meet you in person. Once again, thank you for all the time you spend translating English to French.
Loved your column, brings back even more memories that I'm sure we'll cherish forever.
Mickey
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