According to Speed Skating Canada's High Performance Bulletin #143 – Long Track; qualifying times are now in effect for Canada Cup #1 scheduled for Calgary's Olympic Oval during January 4 to 6, 2008. Although masters speed skaters are still eligible to enter, it's unlikely that more than a very few will be able to meet the entry time standards. This will be unwelcome news to many masters skaters for whom Canada Cup #1 was one of a few remaining indoor long track events in which they could compete.
Gregg Planert, chair of Speed Skating Canada's High Performance Committee - Long Track, clarified for Brett Arnason of the Canadian Masters Speed Skating Committee that, "the HPCLT felt that the Canada Cup #1 was getting too large to be a manageable event. For example, last year's men's 500m with 120 skaters was just a bit too much for even the Calgary officials to handle.
We have looked at the time standards and with the skaters needing only one time to qualify, we are looking at around 80-90 male skaters maximum in each distance. If this occurs in the 5000 and we have even 60 skaters, it will take at least 3 hours for that one race alone (if it is run in quads).
The Meet Organizers always have the right to restrict entry for all events. This is usually done more in Short Track than in Long Track, but the HPCLT has felt it necessary to limit the numbers so we can finish in a reasonable time period each day.
The Canada Cup series is part of the Canadian Ranking System and thus we need to look at it as a Development competition. Any Master that has a time standard is welcome to compete in the event."
We have looked at the time standards and with the skaters needing only one time to qualify, we are looking at around 80-90 male skaters maximum in each distance. If this occurs in the 5000 and we have even 60 skaters, it will take at least 3 hours for that one race alone (if it is run in quads).
The Meet Organizers always have the right to restrict entry for all events. This is usually done more in Short Track than in Long Track, but the HPCLT has felt it necessary to limit the numbers so we can finish in a reasonable time period each day.
The Canada Cup series is part of the Canadian Ranking System and thus we need to look at it as a Development competition. Any Master that has a time standard is welcome to compete in the event."
Masters speed skaters seeking an alternative competition for the January 5 - 6, 2008 weekend are encouraged to consider the 1st Masters International Open American Sprint meet scheduled for Milwaukee's Pettit Centre. Registration for that event closes December 19, 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment