OVAL MASTERS CAMP 2007 - DAY 1

It was a great day to be on the ice in Calgary's Olympic Oval as outdoor temperatures reached into the 30 degree C range under clear blue skies. That didn't stop coach Neal Zaluski from leading many skaters outdoors for a short warm-up run and dynamic stretching around, and on, the nearby soccer fields prior to the afternoon ice session.

The day began early with registration and introductions followed by a brief indoor run on the track surrounding the ice surface. In the warm-up session that followed, skaters introduced themselves as well as their home ice location and led the group with a stretch of their own suggestion.

The 19 masters skaters, in attendance, had come from destinations near and far including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Wisconsin. Many of these were participants in the 16th Masters International Speed Skating Games from last February including Silvia Tassara from Italy.

Silvia, who's attendance has given the Oval Masters Camp a new-found international flavour, made her patriotism evident when a video of Enrico Fabris was featured in today's seminar on straightaway technique. The session was well-presented by Olympic Oval Program Long Track Coach, Crispin Parkinson.

Seminar presenter Crispin Parkinson (left) and camp coordinator Graeme Koelwyn

Also adding international representation was Cor Zwaal who has been visiting in Calgary for the past 4 months but makes his home in the Netherlands.

Prince George, BC was very well-represented by 4 skaters including Lyle Dickieson who has attended the masters camp for the last 3 consecutive years.

It was also good to see some of our American friends from Wisconsin who normally make Milwaukee's Pettit Center their home oval, but came to Alberta in search of ice after Pettit open speed skating was cancelled on April 12 of this year.

Also in the group are some of Canada's top masters skaters including Jo-Ann Johnson of Calgary Alberta who holds 6 Canadian and 2 North American records for Women 40-49 long track and Peter Blokker of Vernon BC with 1 Canadian and 4 North American records for Men 70+ short track.

The day's two 1-hour ice sessions were intended to re-familiarize skaters with the ice and their equipment after the Spring rest. It was properly back to the essentials with basic position, balance and gliding drills interspersed with some easy laps focusing on technique.

Many of these same basic drills could be seen in the Canadian, Japanese and American national team early-season practices which preceded and followed the masters ice sessions.

With great weather in the forecast and a great group of enthusiastic masters and coaches, the camp promises to be a huge success for the remaining 4 days concluded by Saturday morning racing.