CANADIAN OPEN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Registration is now open for the Canadian Open Masters Championship being held February 22 - 23, 2014 in Quebec City. The competition format is olympic-style short all-round long track including 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m and 3000 m for both women and men.

The venue is the 400 m Gaetan Boucher Oval named for the famous Olympian from nearby Charlesbourg who won numerous Olympic medals and world sprint titles during his career. Many past and current national and olympic team members also developed their speed skating skills on this oval which is a national training centre for Speed Skating Canada.

The oval was also the site for the Masters International All-Round Games in both 1996 and 2001, as well as many previous Canadian Masters Championships including 2006 and 2010.

The competition schedule will also give participants opportunity to visit the beautiful and historic city including Old Quebec which is a UNESCO world heritage treasure.

Registration closes February 12, 2014. We look forward to seeing you there for some great masters speed skating fun!

5th MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SPRINT GAMES

Congratulations to Canadians who participated in this event at the Olympic Oval in Kearns Utah during March 16 - 17, 2013 with results as follows:

• Sarah Hopkins - 2nd place, Women 30-34

• Michelle Pepin - 2nd place, Women 35-39 (PR's 500m & 1000m)

• Julie Houle - 4th place, Women 45-49 (PR 500m)

• Randy Plett - 4th place, Men 50-54

• Donnie Hyrnyk - 10th place, Men 50-54 (PR's 500m & 1000m)

• Bob Irvine - 3rd place, Men 55-59

92 skaters from 10 nations participated with 19 international masters records, 91 personal records and 181 season best times achieved.

Complete results can be seen here.

Next year's version of this event will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

PREMIÈRE COMPÉTITION COURTE PISTE À MONTRÉAL

Photo André Pouliot

Compétition à l’invitation du Club des maîtres-patineurs de Montréal
Aréna Maurice-Richard
Le 17 mars 2013

Bien que la Ville de Montréal alloue du temps de glace spécifique aux adeptes du courte piste de 18 ans et plus depuis 1990, le Club des maîtres-patineurs de Montréal existe depuis 2004 et ses entrainements se déroule à l’Aréna Maurice-Richard, au même endroit que l’équipe nationale de courte piste.

Le Club, en association avec les responsables de la Région ouest de la Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec, a organisé une première compétition qui a reçu un accueil enthousiaste des maîtres patineurs du Québec puisque près de 40 patineurs de tout le Québec se sont inscrits. Plusieurs patineurs de la région de Québec ont répondu à l’invitation, en particulier les frères Maurice et Pierre Gagné, légende vivante du patinage de vitesse au Québec. Deux volets de participation étaient proposés : amical et compétitif.

Tous y ont donc trouvé leur compte dans un climat de camaraderie amicale. Cette initiative remplie de succès encouragera les administrateurs, bénévoles et patineurs de renouer avec cette expérience dès l’an prochain.
Jean-Luc Malo




Photos André Pouliot

CANADIAN ENTRY QUOTA AT IMSSC ALL-ROUND GAMES

This year on February 22-24, the 22nd Masters International All-Round Games will be held at the Max Aicher Arena in Inzell Germany. Although 13 Canadians tried to enter the competition, only 7 will go. This is because Canadians shared a maximum allocation (quota) of 36 entries with 9 other nations on a first-come/first-served basis.

On-line registration opened on October 1, 2012; and by October 4, the quota was filled with only 3 Canadians managing to grab the available entries. By February 1, 2013 (only 3 weeks before the competition), 2 more Canadian entries were accepted but 8 other Canadians remained on the waiting list. One week later, the number of Canadians waiting was reduced to 5.

Organizers finalized the competition entries on February 14, inviting 4 more Canadians to participate and leaving 1 on the waiting list. Presumably having made other plans or unable to arrange affordable transportation so close to the event date; 5, of the 7 Canadians invited in the last 2 weeks of registration, declined.

This is clearly not working for Canadians; especially given that 8, of the first 36 entries, ultimately withdrew their applications.

Over the 22 year history of the Games, Canadians used to enjoy their own quota. In some years, this was shared with USA skaters. Canadian participation has varied but has generally been good considering the high cost of accommodation and travel to the various European competition venues - 13 in Alkmaar (2003), 10 in Inzell (2004), 9 in Baslega de Pine (2005), 12 and 9 in Erfurt (2008 and 2012). In 2007 and 2011, the Games were held in Calgary with 92 and 63 Canadians participating in those respective years.

In more recent time, Canadians have been relegated to share the "Other Nations" quota. Perhaps, this is due to our poor showing at several of the Games - only 3 in Helsinki (2006), 0 in Bjugn (2009) and 3 in Baselga de Pine in 2010.

Brett Arnason, our Canadian representative, will attempt to make a case for restoring a Canadian quota at the 36th Session of the IMSSC in Amsterdam on May 25, 2013. To assist with this request; Canadians, who wish to attend the 23rd Games in Stavanger NOR in 2014, should let Brett know by April 15, 2013. It would be very awkward if we fight for our own quota and then don't fill it - so, please, only express your your intent if you are serious about going.

Brett can be reached by e-mail at brett@arnasons.ca
 

Thanks ... and may the wind be always at your back.

CANADIANS AT INZELL SPRINT CLASSIC

Congratulations to Brett Arnason of Winnipeg and Julie Houle of Saint John who placed respectively 3rd and 4th in their age classifications (M60 and W45) at the 16th Masters International Sprint Classic in Inzell Germany during February 2 to 3, 2013.

 Brett Arnason

 Julie Houle

Complete results can be seen here.

5TH MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN

Meet information and entry form are now available for the 5th Masters International Canadian Open. Sponsored by the Manitoba Speed Skating Association, the event will be held on the Susan Auch Oval in Winnipeg during January 26 - 27, 2013. This is the oval where many famous Canadian skaters, in addition to Susan Auch, got their start including Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes and Mike Ireland.

 Susan Auch Oval - photo by Brad Chambers

The oval is situated next to the Cindy Klassen Recreation Centre which, in addition to a swimming pool, houses the change rooms and a multi-purpose room overlooking the skating track.

Susan Auch Oval - photo by Mathew Zigue

The short-allround olympic-style long track meet will include official distances of 500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m for both men and women with additional exhibition events of 100m and team pursuit. Racing and awards will be organized on 5 year age divisions from 30 years up.

Susan Auch Oval - photo by Stan Milosevic

A special rate for hotel accommodation has been arranged for the Hilton Suites which provides an airport shuttle service and is located only 2.5 km from the skating oval.

Susan Auch Oval - photo by Chris Harbeck

Entries must be submitted by January 18, 2013.

QUEBEC MARATHONS

The following report is courtesy of Catherine Kwiecien: 

November 10 - 11 was a great kickoff to the MSI series for 2012 - 2013 with the first marathon event, hosted by Quebec City.

On Saturday, a number of skaters enjoyed a warm-up skate on the beautiful oval around mid-day, in preparation for the 21 km marathon skate at 5:30 pm. With approximately 50 skaters at the start line on Saturday evening, the ice was glistening, temperatures were hovering around freezing and winds were mild ... many spectators enjoyed a great race with exciting finishes for both the men and women in the 21 km distance. For the men, first, second and third place finishers were Daniel Dubreuil, Alexandre Dery and Christopher Fiola, all of whom are in the under 20 age category. For the women, Anika Bedard had a strong finish, followed closely by Suzanne Dionne and Jennifer Benediktson.

  Photo by Alicia Weiss

On Sunday, an 8:30 am start and the threat of rain did not discourage 13 women who competed in the Women's Artic Roses 10 km race. With a sprint finish for the final 40 metres, Suzanne Dionne crossed the line first with Sandy Ramer and Jennifer Boyer a fraction of a second behind.

Over 30 skaters did challenge a light rain on and off for the one hour challenge. What an exciting race that was with records broken by the men and an equally strong skate by the women. Christopher Fiola, who is only 16 years old, placed first, with Constant Montpellier less than a second behind him, and Dominique Gravel finishing a close third - all broke the record for the QC One Hour Challenge with a whopping 89 laps completed. Anika Bedard won for the women with 72 laps, followed closely by Jennifer Benediktson with 71 laps and Catherine Kwiecien in third with 70.

 Photo by Alicia Weiss

Quebec City results

Many thanks to Gaetan Rochette, and his team, for his superb organization of the QC marathon. And special thanks to Christian Gagne and Ursula Hendel for their colourful commentary of the races. The QC marathon was a huge success!

La Série MSI est maintenant lancée par la présentation du Marathon de Québec cette fin de semaine des 10 et 11 novembre derniers. Environ 50 patineurs se sont alignés au départ des 21 km samedi à 17h30 sous des conditions presqu’exceptionnelles, vent léger et température près de 0°C. Les spectateurs s’attendaient à une compétition relevée et excitante autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes. Au cumulatif chez les hommes, Daniel Dubreuil, Alexandre Déry et Christopher Fiola se partagent respectivement les première, deuxième et troisième places, tandis que chez les femmes, Anika Bédard terminait en force suivie immédiatement de Suzanne Dionne et de Jennifer Benediktson.

 Photo by Alicia Weiss

La journée de dimanche se présentait différemment sous une  pluie légère, un vent un peu plus soutenu mais une température toutefois plus élevée. À 08h30 on lançait les 10 km des Roses Arctiques strictement réservées aux femmes qui étaient au nombre de 13 cette fois. Les gagnantes se sont partagé les trois premières places au sprint sur 40 mètres. Ainsi le classement respectif : Suzanne Dionne, Sandy Ramer et Jennifer Boyer.

Plus tard, 31 patineurs s’alignaient au départ du défi d’une heure sous une pluie un peu plus importante mais agrémentée d’une température très clémente. Les spectateurs ont pu assister à une course enlevante avec en prime le bris du record de l’heure par un impressionnant 89 tours battant ainsi celui de 2011 par 7 tours.  Le jeune Christopher Fiola (catégorie des moins de 20 ans a dominé la course devant Constant Montpellier (M-50-59) par moins d’une seconde tandis que Dominique Gravel (30-39) se classait tout près derrière. À noter que tous trois ont battu le record des 82 tours ainsi que Sergio (88 tours)

Anika Bédard remporta le titre chez les femmes (72 tours) suivi de Jennifer Benediktson (71 tours) et Catherine Kwiecien (70 tours).

 Photo by Ann Hanham

Résultats du Marathon de Québec

Sincères remerciements à Gaétan Rochette et son équipe de chronométrage et de bénévoles. En particulier à Ursula Hendel et Christian Gagné pour leurs commentaires durant la course. Le marathon de Québec a été un franc succès.