PROVINCIAL LONG TRACK SPRINT MEET – QUEBEC

Thanks again to Anika Bedard for the following information -

Interested skaters can find the invitation and registration on line for this first meet held at the Gaetan-Boucher oval on November 22-23, 2008. Deadline for registration is November 12, 2008.

LONG TRACK PROVINCIAL CAMP IN QUEBEC CITY

Many thanks to Anika Bédard for the following information -

Every year, the Centre Gaétan-Boucher organises a provincial long track speed skating camp. This year, it will be held on November 7-8-9, 2008 at the Gaétan-Boucher oval in Québec City and is open to all skaters from the category Benjamin + and older.

This camp includes time on ice as well as off ice exercises and seminars. The camp will end Sunday with races. Clap skates are not mandatory and skaters can participate with their short track skates. Skaters interested can find more information (in French) and register on the FPVQ website (Quebec Provincial Skating Association). Registration deadline is November 1st, 2008.

MASTERS CANADIAN OPEN - RFP

MSS News recently noted an invitation from Speed Skating Canada for proposals to host the Masters Canadian Open Olympic Style Championship in the 2009-2010 competition season.

The 2008-09 edition of this event is scheduled for February 21-22, 2009 to be combined with the 2nd Masters International Canadian Open in the new Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC.

During February 9-10, 2008; this competition was run in conjunction with the first-ever Masters International Canadian Open which attracted 55 competitors to Calgary's Olympic Oval including 11 skaters from Norway, Romania, Russia and USA.

Although the event was not held during 2006-07, the 16th Masters International Speed Skating Games drew 328 participants from 13 different countries including over 90 Canadians to Calgary's Olympic Oval in February 2007.

Prior to this, the Masters Canadian Open was held in Ste-Foy, Quebec in March of 2006.

NORTH AMERICAN SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entry forms and meet information are now available for this competition to be held December 5 to 7, 2008 in McFarland Wisconsin USA. The entry form indicates that masters skaters will be classified in 10 year age groups ranging from 30-39 up to 70+.

As the form also indicates that an Association/Province Approval Signature is required, interested competitors should contact their governing sport body to determine their eligibility. Entry deadline is November 25, 2008.

3rd MASTERS ICE RACING CHALLENGE

Ian Mellors, President of the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club, sent the following message to MSS News -

I would like to welcome everyone back for the start of a new season of speed skating.

Please see the attached meet announcement and use the following link, http://www.banffcanmorespeedskating.ca/press.asp, for the meet announcement, registration form and summary sheet for our annual short track meet in Canmore, December 12 - 14th.

We are pleased to be able to offer both our one day ability meet, the Canmore Ice Racing Challenge (CIRC), and the Masters Ice Racing Challenge Weekend.

The Masters skaters will race Friday December 12th, the 1000m Semi’s and Finals. The Masters will then complete their final three distances on Saturday December 13th, running in conjunction with the ability meet. There is a banquet Saturday night for the Masters, plus any officials or volunteers who would like to attend. On Sunday December 14th, there is a half day skating clinic for Masters’ skaters, the clinic will include two on ice sessions, plus a classroom session.

For youth skaters, the Canmore Ice Racing Challenge will take place on Saturday December 13th. This will be run as a regular one day meet, skaters will compete over 3 distances. Because skaters will not have the opportunity to skate all four of their age class distances, we are happy to be able to offer 666m and 777m exhibition races Friday evening, see schedule for details. These races are available to Midget and older skaters, who would like to earn times in all four of their distances. The exhibition races do not count towards points for Saturday’s ability meet.

If you have any questions please call me at 403-609-7031, or by email at president@banffcanmorespeedskating.ca.

Please confirm if you plan on attending, if you will be attending the banquet Saturday night, how many tickets you would need and if you plan on attending the skating clinic on Sunday.

Please pass along the meet annoucement to any Masters skaters you may know, and if you could ask your provincial associations to also advertise the meet, that would be appreciated.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the races.

2nd MASTERS INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN SPRINT

Information and entry forms are now available for this event, which will be the first of 3 major masters international long track competitions in North American venues during the 2008-09 season.

This 2nd Masters International American Sprint is scheduled for Milwaukee's Pettit Centre during January 10-11, 2009.

Accounts of last year's event can be seen here and here.

INTERNATIONAL MASTERS COMPETITION ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE

Information and entry forms are now available for most European events on the International Masters Speed Skating Committee 2008-09 competition calendar.

As the number of entries is limited by quotas assigned to each nation, interested competitors should take note of submission deadlines and are encouraged to sign-up as soon as possible.

Good luck to all skaters!