2009-10 PRELIMINARY INTERNATIONAL LONG TRACK SCHEDULE

The International Masters Speed Skating Group (IMSSG) has recently posted its preliminary schedule for the upcoming long track season.

There will be plenty of opportunity for masters in North America in 2010 starting with the 3rd Masters International Canadian Open in Quebec City on January 23-24.

The following 3 weekends will include events in Salt Lake City and Milwaukee.

WWW's

While in-line skating on the Hamilton Beach Trail this Spring, I've come to know a great group of masters speed skaters training for the Montreal 24-hour inline marathon. Many thanks to group co-founder, Rosie Chong, for the following story:

Like many fun things, the name WWW, (or Waterloo Wonder Women), began as a joke, and the reason for it has long since been forgotten, although it was definitely first proposed by one of our original 4 wonder women, Catherine Kwiecien. The WWW’s are a group of women, all of whom are Masters, all of whom belong to the KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club, and all of whom go to as many of the speed skating marathons as they can fit into their schedule. Catherine and Rosie Chong have been entering marathons since 2004, with the Portland marathon being their first ever marathon – indeed, they have entered every one of the “Big Rideau” marathons since its inception. Patti Walsh, our third member, has been entering marathons for much longer, although she spent quite a few years concentrating on middle distance events, and it was only in 2005 that she realized how wild, wacky, and FUN we were, and again fitted marathons into her incredibly packed skating schedule. Sandy Ramer, our fourth and last original member, started speed skating in 2005 (she crossed over from the dark side of hockey), and was immediately a dedicated Wonder Woman.

WWW's Go Cycling - Photo by Kathy Hunt

As the years passed by, we fitted more and more marathons into each season, and, thankfully, we improved each year as well. From marathons being “just another fun activity” to enjoy in winter, they became for some of us, almost the whole point of winter, and certainly (along with cross country skiing) they have now become pivotal focal points around which our winter activities are planned. Happily, the marathons are normally located in areas which are wonderful for skiing, and so a one or two day weekend would frequently be extended to three or four days to allow for some other winter pursuits to occur as well. (This year two of us decided that the long drive to and from Waterloo to Lake Placid and then Ottawa, was a bit pointless, so we took the intervening week off work and had a skating/skiing holiday, sandwiched between marathons).

Two years ago Catherine and Rosie decided that all their winter training was being a bit wasted in the “other season”, so they hesitantly purchased some recreational inlines, and wobbled their way onto asphalt. Our inlining improved rapidly (spurred on by meeting two Mennonites in bonnets and dresses, who zoomed down our local “HILL” and who shamed us into attempting it as well). Are the WWW’s competitive? Well, maybe just a tad! Of course, Patti and Sandy joined us as well (although Patti is a bit more of a purist, and regards inlining as a poor substitute for skating). By mid-summer of that first year we had progressed to our first marathon on wheels – the local (for us) Cambridge Canada Day Marathon. And before the next inlining season started, we had purchased proper inlines, rather than just the recreational kind. By that season’s end we had committed ourselves to entering a team into the 24hr roller Montreal event – an event which was so fun that this year we have too many participants, and had to have a couple of us join another team.

Needless to say, all the enthusiastic tales from the WWW’s filtered through the speed skating change rooms, and so we started to collect some new members (or WWW wanabees, as we fondly called our newbies, until they became initiated). So, in the past couple of years, we have collected some new members – Anne Flanagan and Lianne Franklin did their first marathon with us 2 years ago, and last season we welcomed Tracy Cook and Deb Heeney, all of whom came to Quebec City with us on the first marathon of the season. That weekend generated a motto for us as well…. “It's all in the food” – a phrase which some of our newer wannabees (see below) seem to have taken to heart very much indeed! This season also generated an unusual record – Sandy Ramer was the only marathon skater in Canada to compete in every sanctioned MSI event for the season.

Skating is over for this year, so 7 of the 8 of us have taken to inlines, and we regularly roll along the Hamilton Beach Trail. Here we have been meeting our newest initiates – it seems some of the males of the KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club have been wanting to join for a while – so far we have skated and eaten with Paul Shoebridge, Bob Lawrence, Kevin and Noah Heeney, and Ross Hanham – Ross is our first non KWSSC member. We’ve been giving some serious thought to names for the guys, and the general consensus is the MMM’s (Marvellous Mighty Men, or perhaps MASTERFUL Mighty Men). We did wonder about the Waterloo Wonder Wildmen.

WWW's Inlining on the Hamilton Beach Trail - photo by Kathy Hunt

We now have an official photographer too. Kathy Hunt is never to be seen without her camera, and although she has yet to be convinced that marathons are (dare I say it) BETTER than short track events, she is an enthusiastic inliner as well as cyclist – another of those pursuits which the WWW’s regularly participate in.

WWW's After Inlining - Photo courtesy of Kathy Hunt

We have started plans to branch out into non-sporting and non-eating events now. The first WWW activity will be a trip to Toronto to watch the Toronto Nationals in a Lacrosse game. I’m sure more activities will follow – not least of which will be the attendance of quite a few of us at the Sue Ellis Edge camp in Ottawa.

Watch out MSI – the WWW’s and MMM’s are coming and we’ll be a force to be reckoned with!

MONT STE MARIE MASTERS DRYLAND CAMP

This year's version of this unique opportunity for masters skaters is scheduled for August 14-16.

Led by former national team skater and masters coach extraordinaire, Mike Rivet, this camp has received rave reviews from previous participants.

Mont Ste Marie Camp Participants - 2007
Photo by Sheila McGinn

As registration is limited and will close by July 1, interested masters should sign up early by contacting Mike at mike.rivet@sympatico.ca.

3rd MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN

La Fédération de Patinage de Vitesse du Québec (FPVQ) has confirmed that the Gáetan Boucher Speed Skating Oval in Québec City will host this event during January 23-24, 2010. The oval, named for one of Canada’s greatest Olympic speed skaters, is one of 2 national training centres for the long track team and was the site of the Masters International Speed Skating Games in both 1996 and 2001.

Marathon racing on Gaetan Boucher Oval - December 2007

As Canada’s oldest urban centre, Québec City recently celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008. The tremendous cultural and historical qualities of the area, in addition to the fast ice of one of Canada’s great speed skating centres, promise a great experience for all event participants.

Keep watching for additional information as it becomes available.

SUMMER CAMPS

Two speed skating camps are open to masters this summer -

For long trackers, the Calgary Olympic Oval Masters Camp is combined with the Summer Speed Camp during July 13-18. Registration, which opened March 1, is available for 42 skaters.

Olympic Oval Masters Campers - 2007
Photo by Arno Hoogeveld

Short trackers may register for the Ellis Edge Masters Camp to be held in Ottawa during August 6-9. Registration, which opens May 18, is limited to 25 skaters.

Ellis-Edge Masters Camp - 2007
Photo courtesy of Sheila McGinn

EAST COAST MASTERS

Masters speed skating is thriving in the Atlantic provinces of Canada with results visible in several major short track meets this past season including the Eastern Canadian Championships held January 24-25, 2009 in Fredericton New Brunswick.

Eastern Canadian masters competitors led by Reg Van Drecht
Photo courtesy of Ann Evans

For more information on speed skating in Atlantic Canada, visit the websites of:
Speed Skate New Brunswick
Speed Skate Prince Edward Island
Speed Skate Nova Scotia

MASTERS AT OVAL FINALE

The lure of the fast ice attracted many of the world's top skaters to Calgary's Olympic Oval for the 2009 edition of the Oval Finale during March 18-22. Although the prize money offered for record-breaking performances for world-class and Canadian national athletes may have been out of reach, masters competitors from Canada, Norway and Sweden made a strong showing amongst the 300 athletes from 20 countries who participated.

The results of this event, which concluded the 2008-09 season at the Oval, included 694 personal best times and 35 national records. Amongst these, several Canadian masters records appeared to have been broken as follows:

Nicole Slot (40-49)
- 500m (44.58)
- 1000m (1:26.72)
- 1500m (2:10.70)
- 3000m (4:32.90)

Bob Irvine (50-59)
- 500m (40.52)

Ronald Johnston (70+)
- 500m (45.18)
- 1000m (1:30.48)
- 1500m (2:17.68)

Congratulations to all masters competitors who may have set personal best times including those who skated in distances and classifications for which records are not maintained such as Roy Whitney (80+) and Brian Johnston (50-59) - 10000m (16:32.15).

Complete results may be seen here.

CANADIAN MASTERS SPEED SKATERS FACEBOOK GROUP

Alicia Weiss (Ottawa), Sheila McGinn (Halifax), Clark Hately (Kingston) and Leela Braun (Winnipeg) have set up a Facebook Group called Canadian Masters Speed Skaters. Open up your Facebook account and join in the fun!

MARATHON SKATING HEAVEN

Given suitable ice conditions not seen for many years, Canadian masters skaters Willem Langenberg, Brian Johnston (both Edmonton) and Suzanne Dionne (Ottawa) travelled to the Netherlands in early January to skate in various natural ice marathons. The following are excerpts from two e-mails from Willem with the very appropriate subject line - "Skating Heaven":

January 11, 2009:

Brian Johnston, Suzanne Dionne and I spent 4 days in marathon skating heaven in Holland, where all the canals froze over and about 500,000 speedskaters were out on the canals and ponds during this weekend. We did two days of about 120 km and today we were among 30,000 skaters around Giethoorn and did about 70 km (slow going with many skaters).

The first day (last Thursday) we skated the 5 km course about an hour after the pros finished their race

Think about this: This lake (Oostvaarderplasen) is very similar to Big Lake near Edmonton. The lake in Holland is only good for skating once in 12 years and everybody goes crazy. Big Lake near Edmonton has been consistently frozen with good (often black ice) every November for the last 25 years. If we put our minds to it, we should be able to organize a similar event every November on Big Lake. We just have to get the North American (and a few European) skaters to come to this event.

January 15, 2009:

After Brian, Suzanne and I skated 325 km in 3 organized tours (organized heaven with possibly 50,000 skaters participating: Oostervaarder Plassen Tocht, Veluwe Meer Tocht en 5 Dorpen Tocht), we skated around Ankeveen on Monday and saw the Ankeveen Classic Races (Summary of the men's race; summary of women's race). It was a wet heaven. It was very interesting to see the AMB chip timing in use (every skater had 2 chips; one on each ankle), with the addition of video photo finish.

We also took the opportunity to meet with the Marathon Chairman of the Dutch Skating Union, Egbert Lambers and Marathon Coordinator Teun Breedijk. We discussed the MSI racing circuit and the (failed) Alberta attempt to get a marathon/mass start demonstration race at the Vancouver Olympics.

The Dutch skating Union (KNSB) is of the opinion that the European circuit (Sweden, Finland, Austria, etc) needs to be developed first in order to get a marathon/mass start event as part of the official World Cup program (a pre-requisite for a possible Olympic event). We pointed out that these races are mainly supported by Dutch skaters (and not very international), while the MSI circuit has largely North American participation and shows an international component. We planted another seed for the idea to make one of the MSI events a Marathon Grand Prix (World Cup) event, which was Evert van Benthem's goal for the Sylvan Lake marathons.

We will stay in contact with the KNSB and keep you posted of any progress.

3RD MASTERS INTERNATIONAL RUSSIAN ALL-ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP

Ben Ruckert (NED) travelled to Kolomna Russia during March 14-15, 2009 to compete in the 3rd Masters International Russian Allround Championships and sent the following photos and comments to Brett Arnason in Winnipeg:This Ice-hall is really a beauty. During the first training on Friday, we did not know what was happening - 6 to 7 laps at 35 secs with 6 to 7 strokes on the straights, and not getting tired at all, that was amazing.North American masters interested in next year's version of this event should monitor the IMSSG's 2009-10 competition calendar which will likely be published in October.

ONTARIO MASTERS SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP

Nine master women and nineteen master men competed in this meet in conjunction with OSSA's regional ability championships in Newmarket during March 21-22, 2009. Organized in 2 ability-based mixed age and gender groups, masters competitors skated a heat and final in 500m, 777m and 1000m plus a 1500m final.

With many thanks to Don Ego (master skater emeritus and president of the Newmarket Jets Speed Skating Club), competitors were given preferential treatment including first ice following re-surfacings and extra unofficial drop-out races consisting of 2000m for women and 3000m for men.

Constant Montpellier (Brampton) appears to have set all new Ontario records for men 40-49 with the following times:
- 500m (48.25)
- 777m (1:16.92)
- 1000m (1:40.31)
- 1500m (2:35.41)

Constant's 1000m and 1500m times also look like new Canadian records.

Photo courtesy of Constant Montpellier's Facebook page.

Sheila McGinn broke her own record in the women 50-59 1500m with a time of 3:36.93.

Photo courtesy of Shelia McGinn's Facebook page

Many of the province's clubs were represented including Brampton, Gloucester, Hamilton, Kawartha, Kitchener-Waterloo, Markham, Niagara, Oakville, Ottawa, Quinte, St. Lawrence and Toronto. Competitors took a break from racing on Sunday to meet and discuss ideas and concerns related to masters competitions in Ontario.

Results were not published or rewarded by age and gender, but can be seen here. Many thanks to the meet's volunteer officials and organizers for an excellent event.

2nd MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN

Eighty-eight competitors, including 73 Canadians, 1 German, 1 Romanian and 13 Americans, skated in this short all-round competition held during February 21 - 22, 2009 in the new Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver BC.Overall results for the 25 female competitors included Nicole Slot (1st), Connie Pope (2nd) and Anika Bedard (3rd), while Randy Plett (1st), Patrick Kelly (2nd) and Bob Irvine (3rd) topped the roster of 63 male skaters. Medals were awarded to the top 3 participants in each 5-year age class for both men and women including Roy Whitney (80+) and Agatha van der Starre (75-79).

Unofficial competition included a fun 100m final for the top sprinters which turned out to be a crowd attraction for the many spectators. Off the ice - over 75 participants, officials and companions gathered for an excellent buffet dinner and social event organized by Brett & Marnie Arnason at a neighbouring hotel on the Saturday evening. Brief presentations by Speed Skating Canada representatives included a continued commitment to masters speed skating in this country.

Many thanks to the numerous officials and to British Columbia Speed Skating for a well-run event that was enjoyed by all participants. Additional results including opening and lap times can be seen here.

Photographs by Jeff Bough are available here.

CANADIAN AGE CLASS LONG TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

Twelve master men and 2 master women joined with younger age class competitors in this meet in Regina on February 14-15. As recent Speed Skating Canada rule changes have re-admitted masters to this mass start competition, this is a good turnout and bodes well for the continuation of masters participation.

Results can be seen here.

2nd MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN - RECEPTION UPDATE

Brett Arnason has provide the following update for the reception scheduled for 6 pm to 10 pm on Saturday February 21 at the Best Western Hotel.

There will be a pasta bar for $32 per person including:
- Freshly Baked Garlic Foccacia Bread
- Traditional Caesar Salad
- Tomato & Cucumber Salad
- Cheese & Spinach Tortellini, Julienne Vegetables, Tomato Basil Sauce
- Farfella Pasta, Roasted Chicken, Cream Sauce
- Tiramisù
- Freshly Brewed Organic Coffee, Decaf Coffee & Selection of Tea

In addition to the competition hosting committee, approximately 30 folks will be attending so far. It would be great to see more people take advantage of this excellent opportunity for masters skaters to get together.

Please contact Brett Arnason by e-mail prior to February 17 at brett@arnasons.ca.

Hope to see you there!

1ST CHALLENGE-PENTATHLON DES NEIGES

The Groupe GCS and the Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec invite all skaters to try this first challenge during the Pentathlon des neiges that will take place February 21 and 22, 2009. A spectacular 500m track has been build downtown on the Plaines of Abraham overlooking the St-Lawrence River.

This event will include 4 distances (1km, 10km, 25km and 40km), free skating and a special evening of skating under the stars. Gaétan Rochette and Marathon Skating International will be the official timer. The FPVQ skating age class will also apply for these races.

For more information (in French), please consult the Pentathlon website.

JAKE MAARSE SKATES THE DISTANCE FOR ROTARY HOME

Jake Maarse will be skating 2 x 100 km on the Rideau Canal to raise funds for the Ottawa Rotary Home.

See details here on how to help Jake reach his goal.

JOLIETTE MARATHON

The following message was received from Alain Meilleur via Anika Bedard -

Hello everyone, if you received this mail its probably because you're a skater and this is to invite you to a natural ice marathon on the l'Assomption river in Joliette. This race is part of the Marathonskating int'l series and is a part of the Festi-Glace. The races on this river represent a come back for this natural ice where nice events have been held in the last few years.

For the race, two distance will be offered, a 10km and 40km on an 2km loop.

where: Downtown Joliette
when : Sunday february 15th 10:00 am

LAKEFIELD MASTERS CHALLENGE

15 masters skaters braved the cold outdoor temperatures on January 24 to 25, 2009 to compete in the 2nd Masters Challenge on the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield.

Photos on the Oval's website can be seen here.

More photos from the Peterborough Examiner can be seen here.

Here's a CHEX TV video report featuring deaf and blind master speed skater Kevin Frost.

Results can be seen here.

ONTARIO MARATHONS

Masters participants were dominant among the many competitors of all ages who skated 2 recent marathon events in Ontario.

Results for Ottawa's Bytown Marathons held January 24 to 25, 2009 can be seen here.

Bytown 40 KM Marathon - photo by Alicia Weiss

Results for the Big Rideau Lake Marathons in Portland on January 31, 2009 can be seen here.

Big Rideau Lake 50 KM Start - Photo by Alicia Weiss

WINNIPEG OLYMPIC STYLE RACE SERIES

Masters competitors clocked some of the fastest times in these sprint events held January 21, 2009 at Winnipeg's Susan Auch Oval.

Results for 3 masters men can be seen here and for 2 masters women here.