The 16th Masters International Speed Skating Games, held last March in Calgary, attracted 288 competitors from 14 different nations including 92 Canadians and 25 Americans. This is quite likely the greatest-ever single gathering of Canadian masters and is reported by the International Masters Speed Skating Group to be the largest assembly of masters speed skaters in its history.
Part of the attraction may have been the Oval's legendary fast ice which provided ample opportunity for competitors to set new personal records. Legend became reality as 93 International Masters Speed Skating Committee records were broken in the 4 days of competition.
Building on this success, the Olympic Oval has invited entries to the 1st Masters International Canadian Open to be held February 9 to 10, 2008 in Calgary. Information, received from Speed Skating Canada's Competitons Development Committee, indicates that this event will also be combined with the Canadian Masters Olympic Style Championship (CMOSC).
In 2006, the CMOSC only attracted 19 masters competitors to Ste. Foy. In 2007, this event was not held for reasons which are not entirely clear although there is some relationship to the poor turnout of masters in 2006.
According to the Meet Information and Entry Form, the Olympic Oval is planning on 150 competitors for the 2-day event next February. It's now up to masters skaters to rise to the occasion and seize this opportunity to keep building the sport in Canada - to make sure there is a 2nd and 3rd and 4th etc Masters International Canadian Open.
The registration deadline is December 8, 2007 - less than 8 weeks away. See you there!
5 comments:
Too bad they decided to run it the same weekend as the North American Age Class in Milwaukee. I have to take my son there.
Pity I can't be in 2 places at once. I was really looking forward to the Canadian Masters event.
Hopefully they will have a closer look at other scheduled events when picking a date for us next year.
Mickey Kupchyk
Can ISSC records be set at this competition???
Yes - Brett Arnason, Canadian representative to the International Masters Speed Skating Committee, has confirmed that IMSSC records can be set at this competition.
The North American Age Class has changed to Olympic Style and may not have anything for 12 year olds.
You should check
Some information about the 2008 North American Long Track Championships can be see at http://home.cogeco.ca/~mss/North%20American%20Long%20Track%20Format-Sept%2020-2007%20(1).doc
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