2012 Halifax Skate the Common Marathon Update – Tri-the-Oval

The 2012 Skate the Common Marathon on February 18-19 will include 5K, 10K and 25K skating races, a 3K sledge race and a triathlon.

Registration for the regular skating events is not yet open, however, if you wish to enter the Tri-the-Oval winter triathlon, registration for that part of the event is now available here.

QUINTE MASTERS CAPACITY CHALLENGE

Many thanks to master skater Kathy Hunt of the Kitchener-Waterloo Speed Skating Club for the following report on the Quinte Masters Capacity Challenge held recently at the Yardmen Arena in Belleville Ontario:

"That will be a table for 30, please."

On the evening of November 26th, the Belleville Crabby Joe's was filled with boisterous Masters speed skaters, meet officials and family members. The din of friendly conversation was so loud the waitress had to ask us to be quiet so she could figure out people's orders.

Why was everyone so happy? We had just finished racing at the second (biannual) Quinte Blades Master's Challenge. Who wouldn't be happy after skating 6 races in 4 hours, at a meet filled with camaraderie and comedy? Two groups of Masters and one group of Special O's made up the 38 skaters who were treated to the early evening meet.

Competition was stiff, but the atmosphere friendly. Fellow skaters cheered each other on, congratulated each other and chuckled at the funnier moments. At the same time, the ice was an arena for intense skating. Many tight races were witnessed, and everyone felt they had pushed themselves to their limits. I walked away feeling refreshingly tired. Not only had I completed a meet, but had spent several hours skating hard with friends.

The Alpha group consisted of 15 skaters (6 women and 9 men) and, in the Bravo group, there were 11 skaters (7 women and 4 men). The Alpha's skated 2 races each of 500 meters, 1000 meters and 1500 meters; for Bravos, it was 2 each of 500 meters, 666 meters and 777 meters.

Prizes were given, at the casual post-meet awards ceremony, at Crabby Joes, for the Quickest and the Slowest in each group of Masters (one had to attend the party to get their award). Receiving a bottle of Nestle’s Quick was Richard Wismer (Quinte) from Alpha and Alicia Weiss (Ottawa) from Bravo (as Trevor Ryan (Durham) wasn’t at the ceremony). Walking away with a box of Neilson’s Slowpokes were Greg Drabowski (Oakville) from Alpha (as Jenna Wright (Quinte) wasn’t present) and John Weiss (Ottawa) from Bravo (as Carol-Anne Gray (Quinte) wasn’t present). A special Neilson’s Pep award went to the oldest skater - well deserved for 74 year old Graham Lodge (Kingston), but in his and Bob Bach’s (Toronto) absence, it went to 58 year old Ross Hanham (Hamilton).

A protocol was circulated at the party for people to analyze and critique. Skaters were asked to circle their P.B.'S. The many circles that appeared were a sign of great racing! And a sign of a great time materialized as the evening closed, when a spontaneous low walk broke out amongst the crowd!

Photo by the Crabby Joe's chef using Kathy Hunt's camera

Many thanks to the event organizers and volunteers including Laura & Paul Woodall, Dave Clement, Paul Pickard and the timing crew (Deb, Dave, Ann, Shelva, Craig, Sue, Cheryl, Ryan, Tom, Colin and Beth).

All I can say is...I hope I'll see everyone again at this meet next year!

Complete results may be seen here.

It's hoped that a club in the western Ontario region will host a similar meet in 2012 so this event can rotate annually between the west and east (perhaps Kitchener-Waterloo ...... hint, hint).

Masters are advised that OSSA has determined that participation in this competition (similar to a "silver meet") qualifies a skater to participate in the Ontario Masters Short Track Championship in Kitchener during May 31 - April 1, 2012.

BANFF/CANMORE MASTERS ICE RACING CHALLENGE

The following message was received from Ian Mellors - meet coordinator for the Banff/Canmore Speed Skating Club:

Please find attached the announcement and information for the 8th Annual Canmore Ice Racing Challenge (CIRC) and the Masters Ice Racing Challenge.

The Masters competition will run in conjunction with CIRC. Masters will race 500m, 1000m and 1500m on the 111m track and, if time allows, also a 3000m points race at the end of the competition.

We will not be offering a separate ISU Junior division. Any ISU Juniors skaters will race with the T2T on the 100m track.

If you have any questions, please drop me a line. Registration Forms and Summary sheet will follow shortly.

Please pass this email along to any Masters skaters who you think may be interested in attending.

USA SINGLE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Registration is now open for this competition which will be the first of 3 major international masters speed skating events to be held in North America during the 2011-12 season. Scheduled for January 7 to 8, 2012 at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, this meet will give skaters the unique opportunity to skate up to 6 races in 2 days including 500m (x2), 1000m, 1500m, 3000m and 5000m. This is unlike many competitions where there are only 4 races or the possibility of being eliminated from the longest distance. This event also provides women with the rare opportunity to skate 5000m.

Canadian Brett Arnason at 2011 USA Single Distance Championships
Photo by Steve Penland

Located in the historical heartland of American speed skating, the Pettit Centre is an incredible facility which is highly accessible to masters skaters. There will also be much opportunity for training on the oval prior to this unique and friendly competition. Canadian participation would help to solidify this as a truly international event.

SALT LAKE CITY MASTERS CAMP - LAST CALL

US Speed Skating Masters News has issued a final notice calling for masters to enter this November 9 to 13 camp at the Utah Olympic Oval. If the recent masters camp in Milwaukee is any indication and with leadership from US Olympic medalist, Derek Parra, this camp promises to be an excellent opportunity for skaters wishing to improve their technical skills and training knowledge. Camp information and entry form are available at these links. Sign-up now and don't miss your chance to participate in this unique masters event.

U.S. WINTER NATIONAL SENIORS GAMES - RESULTS

According to results on the Rochester Speed Skating Team (RSST) website, seven women and twenty-one men ranging in age from 50 to 80 years skated in this competition for 50 years+ skaters on October 1st.

The sole Canadian competitor, Constant Montpellier, was first overall in the men's division. This was Constant's first return to short track competition since his skating accident in November 2010.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Roberts

In his event report, RSST president Jerry Roberts pointed out the following highlights -

1. Breaking into the ESL and setting up in the dark while they were sleeping.
2. Irene's professional caliber announcing.
3. The looks on the Iron Maiden's faces when Irene announced the 15 thousand metre race.
4. Tom Conley giving 80 year old Rod Tolley a false start for delay when he was slow getting to the starting line.
5. Canadian Constant Montpellier winning the U.S. National meet.
6. The heartfelt applause for all the seniors at the awards ceremony.

For his part, Constant reported on his Facebook wall: "First short track competition since I broke my back last November. Felt very unsure on my blades, but felt good to skate short track again. I'll take gold ... woot, woot :)"

Photo courtesy of Constant Montpellier

Many thanks to organizers Jerry Roberts and Melody Burdekin who opened up this national event to Canadian skaters, and to U.S. master skater extraordinaire Glenn Corso who officiated.

4th MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Entry form and information for this long track event to be held in Fort St. John, British Columbia on February 4 to 5, 2012 are now available on the International Masters Speed Skating Committee website.

In addition to short all-round distances (500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m), the competition will include exhibition racing of 100m sprints as well as team pursuits of 6 laps for women and 8 laps for men. The entry deadline is January 16, 2012. All masters (30 years+) as well as seniors (20-29 years) should seize this opportunity to skate indoors in this great Canadian masters event in the unique Pomeroy Centre.

MILWAUKEE MASTERS CAMP

Thirty-two masters, including eight Canadians, converged on the Pettit National Ice Centre in Milwaukee Wisconsin for this camp during September 22 to 25, 2011. Excellent coaching was given by many US speed skating Olympians led by Ryan Bedford, Kip Carpenter and Heidi Miller with assistance from Jilleanne Rookard, Mitch Whitmore, Trevor Marsicano and Brian Hansen.

The camp commenced Thursday afternoon with both dryland/warm-up and on-ice sessions followed by 2 dryland and 2 ice sessions on Friday, another dryland and ice session on Saturday and one final ice session on Sunday. Dryland/warm-ups were both indoors and outdoors, weather-permitting, consisting of jogging, imitations, band-work, plyometrics and slideboard.

Ice sessions covered the full spectrum from basic position through to team pursuit skating, including cornering technique and starts.
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday concluding with technical sessions on equipment, sharpening, rockering and video analysis. On Friday evening, there was a social event with food and drink sponsored by Cramp 911.

More photos can be seen here.

Both campers and coaches have been very enthusiastic about the success of this camp suggesting a good possibility of it being repeated and improved (if that's possible) in 2012. Registration remains open for another upcoming masters camp in Salt Lake City which promises to be equally great.

MILWAUKEE MASTERS INTERNATIONAL LONG TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

The registration form, for this event at the Pettit National Ice Centre during February 11 - 12, 2012, is now available on the US Speed Skating website.

Canadian Brett Arnason at the 2011 Milwaukee Single Distance Championships
Photo courtesy of Olusegun Sijuwade

This is a super-fun, packed-full-of-racing competition involving both olympic style (metric) and mass-start (pack-style) events in the historical heartland of American long track speed skating. Mark your calendar to be part of the action!

US Skaters at the 2011 Milwaukee Single Distance Championships
Photo courtesy of Olusegun Sijuwade

US WINTER NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES - FORMAT CHANGE

Jerry Roberts, of the Rochester Speed Skating Team, has sent the following message last week about this event -

Here is the latest on our senior meet. The Sports Authority got a bit nervous about ice costs etc, and the result is that it is now a one day meet Saturday October 1.

I have enclosed the application and poster. We welcome all over 50 (by December 30, 2011) skaters. Registration deadline is posted as 9/3, but will be extended. They just want to get an early head count.

There will be a welcoming party on Friday, and something similar on Saturday. Ice time is reserved from 8:00a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and we'll try for an early morning warmup. Note; they charge an extra $5 for charge cards, but checks are welcome.

Any questions, go to the website or e-mail on the flyer, or directly to me at rsstpresjerry@frontier.com .

I've been practicing Oh Canada on the bag pipes, I hope at least one of you shows up so I can play it.

Should you wish to speak, my daytime cell is 585-943-4919.

Thanks;

Jerry Roberts

It's important that anyone wishing to participate in this event register ASAP.