4th MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN

During February 4 to 5, 2012; thirty-five skaters assembled in Fort St. John, British Columbia to compete in the 4th Masters International Canadian Open. The amazing Pomeroy Sports Centre served as the venue on its 2nd floor 400m indoor oval overlooking 2 hockey rinks below with an indoor walking/jogging track overhead at the 3rd floor. Ice guru Mark Messer, from Calgary's Olympic Oval, was on-hand assisting centre staff to create the best possible ice conditions for this event as well as the Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships scheduled February 11-12.

Participants included 30 masters (8 women and 22 men) and 5 seniors (3 women and 2 men) including former national team member and local hero, Jay Morrison. The international aspect of the meet was guaranteed with the welcome presence of Steven Miller of Plymouth, Minnesota.

In addition to the official short all-round olympic-style events (500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m), various exhibition races were also held including 100m (heats and finals), team pursuits (6 laps for women, 8 laps for men) and mass start 10 km and 25 km "marathons". Combined with practice times on both Thursday and Friday, there was no shortage of opportunity to skate.

The Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club did a fabulous job of hosting the event including a honour guard of young skaters carrying flags during the opening ceremonies and individual lap-counters for marathon participants. This "above and beyond" welcome for competitors was evident throughout the Pomeroy Centre, the host Pomeroy Hotel and the city itself, including a tremendous social gathering on Saturday evening which featured special awards for the most "experienced" skaters and those who had travelled the farthest to attend.
Many thanks to all event officials and the many helpful volunteers including meet coordinator Sheri Dressler, chief referee Rita Johnson, assistant referee Wim Kok, recorder Dee-Ann Stickel and the ever-cheerful clerk-of-the-course Claudette McDowell.
Complete results can be seen here. Check out this report in the Alaska Highway News.