MASTERS SUMMER CAMPS - UPDATE

The Cambridge Speed Skating Club’s website indicates that 14 masters have now registered for the Ontario Summer Speed Skating Camp during August 20 to 22, 2007. There's still room for more, but the July 1, 2007 deadline is approaching fast.

Graeme Koelwyn, camp coordinator, had advised that only 17 skaters have registered so far for the Calgary Olympic Oval Masters Camp during July 23 to 28, 2007. Graeme has extended the registration deadline until July 6, 2007.

There also appears to be only 10 spots remaining for the Ellis Edge Masters Camp being run in Saint John, NB during July 26 to 29, 2007.

For some international masters camps opportunities, see Masters Speed Skating Italia.

MASTERS ICE RACING CHALLENGE 2007

Ian Mellors, President of the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club, sent the following message today:

On the longest day of the year, it is time to turn our attention to all things cold and fast.

Attached you find the announcement for the 2nd Annual Masters Ice Racing Challenge, to be held in Canmore, Alberta, December 14th and 15th. The inaugural race in 2006 was a great success, with plenty of close racing and new friends.

The order of racing will be the same as last year, the 1000m will be run on Friday December 14th, and the other three distances run on Saturday December 15th during the annual ability meet hosted by the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club. Masters will skate first after floods on Saturday.

There has been interest from some Lady Masters skaters, at this time please indicate if you would like to attend, once we have some idea of numbers we can start a discussion of format for the races, i.e. Ladies skate separately or in with the Men.

By indicating your intent to attend, it will help the organizing committee to start planning the event. Registration forms will be sent out in November, and will be due two weeks prior to the event. This is an Speed Skating Canada sanctioned event.

Please feel free to send the announcement to anyone you feel may be interested that does not appear on the mailing list. If you have any questions please drop me a line.

Sincerely,

Ian Mellors

President - Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club

For a report on last year's edition of the Masters Ice Racing Challenge, see the January 28th post in the MSS News January 2007 Archive.

ONTARIO SPEED SKATING SUMMER CAMP - MASTERS UPDATE

Bob Laurence recently provided an update regarding the Masters Component of the Ontario Speed Skating Summer Camp being held August 20 to 22, 2007 at Cambridge's Hespeler Arena.

According to Bob, the 3 half-day format will include: 2 hours of ice each ½ day, dry land, pilates, bosu ball program, cycling if you want, running if you want, a stretching program and possibly slide board instruction.

If you are still considering signing up, the camp organizers have moved the registration deadline up to July 1st, in order to allow more efficient scheduling of the programs.

If there is a specific topic or program that interests you, let Blake Morrison or Bob Laurence or Rose Schmidt know ASAP.

Also according to Bob, only 6 masters have registered so far whereas a minimum of 15 are required to run the camp.

Registration forms and further information are available from the Cambridge Speed Skating Club or the Ontario Speed Skating Association.

CALGARY SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION - MASTERS AWARDS

This may be old news to skaters in the Calgary area but, to the rest of us in the country, it was nice to read in its May 2007 Newsletter that the CSSA recognized the following top masters members at its April 21, 2007 wrap-up party and awards:

Master 1 - Rejean Lavoie

Master 2 - Jo-Ann Johnson

Master 3 - Bob Irvine

Master 4 - Laurits Skjolingstad

Master 5 - Roy Whitney

Master Skater of the Year - Ronald Johnston

Congratulations to these skaters and thanks to the Calgary Speed Skating Association for acknowledging its best masters.