ONTARIO LONG TRACK RAINED OUT

Recent warm weather and rain has taken its toll on natural ice ovals in Ottawa and Sault Ste Marie resulting in the cancellation of 3 long track events scheduled for this weekend of January 12 - 13, 2008.
Regarding the Bytown Masters Meet in Ottawa, meet organizer Alicia Weiss wrote:

I doubt this comes as a surprise to any of you, but once again, the weather has gotten the better of the Brewer Park ice. The warm temperature and excessive rain have melted away a significant portion of our competition-ready surface, to the point that we now have grass above the surface in some sections. It will take some much colder days and time to rebuild.

On this note, the Jan 12 Masters Long Track Meet is officially cancelled.

Thank you all for signing up - it was looking like a very fun event, and an excellent time for the masters to get together.

Next on the schedule are provincials in Ottawa (masters are eligible to skate the mass start events) and the Lakefield Masters Challenge on Feb 2. Let's hope that meet is a go and we can all get together then.

Regarding the MSI series Bytown Marathons, also in Ottawa, meet organizer Jake Maarse wrote:

No event this weekend Ross unless you can find a nice lake to skate on for pleasure! The grass is showing up through the ice, the track needs to be rebuilt. The weather and nature are incredibly fascinating to watch. (a little inconvenient for us this time).

Regarding the Lock City Open Mass Start and Olympic Style Meet in Sault Ste Marie, OSSA's Sport Director Todd Landon wrote:

Unfortunately the meet is Sault Ste Marie has been cancelled due to weather. After careful evaluation and input, the Sault Ste Marie Speed Skating Club has decided to cancel its meet due to warm weather resulting in poor ice conditions. The Club will be notifying all registrants directly about the cancellation. The Club wishes to attempt to reschedule the meet and will work with OSSA to schedule an appropriate date. Contingencies pertaining to Canadian Long Track Championship qualification, due to the Sault Ste Marie Long Track Meet cancellation, will be clarified by the Technical Committee in the coming days.

Many thanks and condolences to meet organizers and volunteers who made incredible efforts to build and maintain these natural ice ovals, only to be frustrated by the effects of global warming. Their dedication is greatly appreciated by long track enthusiasts everywhere.