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.