Thank you to Ian Mellors, meet coordinator of the Masters Ice Racing Challenge held in Banff/Canmore Alberta last weekend, for the following report -
The weather outside was cold (reaching a low of -35C) but the racing and the times were HOT at the 3rd Annual Masters Ice Racing Challenge.
Despite a winter storm that lowered temperatures to an unseasonably low numbers and dumping snow all over southern Alberta, eight Masters made their way to Canmore, setting the stage for arguably the fastest and most competitive Masters competition ever.
The racers skated 7 times over the weekend, running semi and finals in the 1000m, 777m, and 500m distances and a 1500m Super Final.
Racing started Friday night, and to set the weekend up for fast close racing, four skaters broke the Masters 2 (40-49) 1000m Canadian Record, with 3 skaters going under 1:40. Randy Plett (River Heights Speed Skating - Winnipeg) won the race in an Unofficial Canadian Record of 1:39.34, winning over Guy Bushell (Banff/Canmore SSC, by a slim .26 seconds), rounding out the first three in a time of 1:39.8 was Ian Mellors (Banff/Canmore SSC).
Saturday's racing continued fast and close. In the 777m A final, 4 skaters broke 1:20, Guy Bushell in a time of 1:17.20 won over Randy Plett by just .17 seconds. Tim Cooney (Lethbridge SSC) came across third in a time of 1:17.76, and Duane Swann (Prince George Blizzard SSC) was fourth in 1:18.83.
The 500m A final was the closest of the weekend, Guy Bushell won his second Final in a time of 49.39 sec, winning by just .05 seconds over Tim Cooney, with Randy Plett in third.
Randy Plett took control of the 1500m A final after 3 laps and fought off Guy Bushell for the win, Duane Swan finished a solid weekend with 3rd place. WIth two wins and two seconds, Guy Bushell took the overall title.
The Masters Ice Racing Challenge welcomed its first female competitor, Michelle Pepin (Burnaby SSC). Michelle skated hard against the men in the first two distances, then rode a hot start and enthusiastic cheering by the females in the crowd (including spouses of the male racers) in the 500m B final to take victory and 5th overall in the distance. Michelle finished the weekend with 3 Unofficial Canadian Records, 53.51 - 500m, 1:23.1 - 777m and 1:50.88 - 1000m. Michelle is looking forward to seeing more women attending next year.
Al Overend (Calgary SSA), Masters 3, fought his way through the snow, unfortunately missing Friday's racing, but came through with several strong performances Saturday, and a best finish of 2nd in the 500m B final in a time of 53.64.
Werner Meyer (Calgary SSA) Masters 4, thrilled the crowd, with his steady performances, never quit attitude and huge smiles.
The Masters celebrated their achievements Saturday night with a banquet, and finished off the weekend with an excellent skating clinic Sunday morning lead by Overall Winner Guy Bushell.
See the full results.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2009.
The weather outside was cold (reaching a low of -35C) but the racing and the times were HOT at the 3rd Annual Masters Ice Racing Challenge.
Despite a winter storm that lowered temperatures to an unseasonably low numbers and dumping snow all over southern Alberta, eight Masters made their way to Canmore, setting the stage for arguably the fastest and most competitive Masters competition ever.
The racers skated 7 times over the weekend, running semi and finals in the 1000m, 777m, and 500m distances and a 1500m Super Final.
Racing started Friday night, and to set the weekend up for fast close racing, four skaters broke the Masters 2 (40-49) 1000m Canadian Record, with 3 skaters going under 1:40. Randy Plett (River Heights Speed Skating - Winnipeg) won the race in an Unofficial Canadian Record of 1:39.34, winning over Guy Bushell (Banff/Canmore SSC, by a slim .26 seconds), rounding out the first three in a time of 1:39.8 was Ian Mellors (Banff/Canmore SSC).
Saturday's racing continued fast and close. In the 777m A final, 4 skaters broke 1:20, Guy Bushell in a time of 1:17.20 won over Randy Plett by just .17 seconds. Tim Cooney (Lethbridge SSC) came across third in a time of 1:17.76, and Duane Swann (Prince George Blizzard SSC) was fourth in 1:18.83.
The 500m A final was the closest of the weekend, Guy Bushell won his second Final in a time of 49.39 sec, winning by just .05 seconds over Tim Cooney, with Randy Plett in third.
Randy Plett took control of the 1500m A final after 3 laps and fought off Guy Bushell for the win, Duane Swan finished a solid weekend with 3rd place. WIth two wins and two seconds, Guy Bushell took the overall title.
The Masters Ice Racing Challenge welcomed its first female competitor, Michelle Pepin (Burnaby SSC). Michelle skated hard against the men in the first two distances, then rode a hot start and enthusiastic cheering by the females in the crowd (including spouses of the male racers) in the 500m B final to take victory and 5th overall in the distance. Michelle finished the weekend with 3 Unofficial Canadian Records, 53.51 - 500m, 1:23.1 - 777m and 1:50.88 - 1000m. Michelle is looking forward to seeing more women attending next year.
Al Overend (Calgary SSA), Masters 3, fought his way through the snow, unfortunately missing Friday's racing, but came through with several strong performances Saturday, and a best finish of 2nd in the 500m B final in a time of 53.64.
Werner Meyer (Calgary SSA) Masters 4, thrilled the crowd, with his steady performances, never quit attitude and huge smiles.
The Masters celebrated their achievements Saturday night with a banquet, and finished off the weekend with an excellent skating clinic Sunday morning lead by Overall Winner Guy Bushell.
See the full results.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2009.
1 comment:
Way to brave the cold you guys. That is what it is like to be Canadian.
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