HALIFAX - CANADIAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Thirty-five masters, including 28 men and 7 women, competed in the Canadian Masters Championship in Halifax during January 15-16, 2011. National representation was excellent with skaters travelling from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Kathie Zapatocki, from the USA, was the lone international participant.

Photo by Alicia Weiss

Due to weather, ice conditions were variable ranging from sunny and calm for Saturday morning's 500's to wet snow and wind for Sunday's 1000m races. Generally, temperatures were relatively warm (-5C to +1C) which was quite comfortable for those used to skating outdoors in Prince George, Winnipeg and Quebec City.

Photo by Alicia Weiss

In addition to the standard short all-round races, most also competed in 100m races and team pursuit. With a qualifying round, a semi-final and a final; some skated two or three 100m races with Ray Harris (NB senior, 10.98 sec) and Julie Houle (NB 45, 13.11 sec) winning for men and women respectively.

Photo courtesy of Canada Winter Games 2011

Younger skaters, taking part in the concurrent Canada Winter Games test event, were given the benefit of masters skaters' experience through combined teams for the pursuits. The men's 8-lap (3200m) race was won in 5:02.53 by Team #7 including Randy Plett (MAN 45), Daren Lind (AB 40), Alex Peppard (NB Jb) and Rejean Lavoie (AB 40). Team #3, including Julia LaParco (NB Jc), Kelly McCarthy (NB Jc) and Sheila McGinn (NS 60) prevailed in the 6-lap (2400m) race in a time of 4:56.68.

Photo by Christine Hanham

Overall winners for the all-round event (500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m) were Randy Plett (MAN 45) for men with 183.758 points and Sandy Ramer (ONT 50) for women with 248.574 points.

Photo courtesy of Canada Winter Games 2011

Medals were also awarded to both men and women by 5 year age divisions.

Many thanks to all the organizers and officials for whom this was a practice run for the upcoming Canada Winter Games during February 11 - 27, 2011.

Complete results can be seen here. Additional photos can be seen here and here.