INTERNATIONAL MASTERS SHORT TRACK GAMES 2013

The International Masters Speed Skating Committee is seeking interest, from masters short track skaters around  the globe, in the first-ever International Masters Short Track Games to be held in Cicero, New York sometime in March-April 2013. Masters long track skaters have been gathering annually in various places around the world for the past 21 years, most recently in Erfurt last March where 192 competitors from 15 nations took part. Now it's time for masters short trackers to have their turn.

If you're interested, please let Frank Anderson (pictured above) of Perth Western Australia know by e-mail to frankanderson@aapt.net.au. Frank would also appreciate knowing your age, gender and 500m seed time to help determine the best racing format to promote a safe and fun event for all competitors. Frank hopes to hear from you soon.

SUMMER CAMPS 2012

For those looking for summer fun and training on the long track, check out the Calgary Olympic Oval Masters Camp scheduled for July 16 to 21.

If short track is your game, try the Ellis Edge Masters Camp taking place in Ottawa during August 3 to 6. The Ellis Edge website indicates the 30 skater limit is already full, but there is a waiting list.

ONTARIO MASTERS SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

Thirty-five masters skaters met in Waterloo on March 31 - April 1 for the 2012 Ontario Masters Short Track Championships. Consisting of 12 women and 23 men representing age classifications from 30+ to 70+ years, the meet was run in conjunction with the much larger Ontario Regional Championships involving skaters in younger age groups.

Masters came from many of Ontario Speed Skating's clubs including Barrie, Clarington, Durham, Gloucester, Hamilton, Kawartha, Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Newmarket, Oakville, Ottawa, Quinte, St. Lawrence and Toronto. Events consisted of a heat and final in 500m, 777m and 1000m, as well as a final in the 1500m distance with women and men skating in separate race groups.

Men 50+ competitor Cameron Boyd - photo courtesy of Cameron Boyd

To allow skaters to race in mixed age groups and still provide awards based on separate 5 year age classifications, standings were determined based on time, rather than placement, similar to a long track samalog system. Complete results may be seen here.

Many thanks to the competitions's numerous volunteer officials, organizers and supporters who prevailed throughout 9.5 hours of racing on Saturday and 7.5 hours on Sunday as well as additional time for meet preparation and follow-up.

MASTERS AT OVAL FINALE

Masters skaters were amongst the over 200 competitors from 14 countries enjoying the fast ice at Calgary's Olympic Oval during March 14 to 18, 2012. Participants included:

• Gail Bouchette (CAN F30) - personal records 500m, 1000m and 1500m
• Brian Boudreau (USA M45) - season bests 1500m and 5000m
• Gerard Garon (CAN M50) - season bests 500m, 1000m and 1500m, personal record 5000m
• Brynjulf Makestad (NOR M60) - season bests 500m, 1000m and 1500m
  
• Herman Vermeer (NED M50) - season bests 500m and 1000m, personal record 1500m
  
• Kees Bollaart (NED M50) - season bests 500m and 1500m, personal record 1000m
  
• John Pillar (CAN M50) - personal records 500m and 1000m
  
• Ronald Johnston (CAN M70) - season bests 500m and 1000m
  
• Octavian Moga (ROU M45) - season bests 500m, 1000m and 1500m
  
• Russ MacDonald (CAN M45) - personal records 500m and 1000m
  
• Thony Hannevig (NOR M55) - personal records 500m and 1500m
  
• Daniel Harney (CAN M45) - personal records 500m and 1000m
  
• Tijmen Hartel (CAN M45) - season best 1000m
  
• Martin Hanggi (SUI M40) - season best 500m, personal records 1000m, 1500m and 10000m
• Vaughn Thibault (CAN M40) - personal records 500m and 1000m, season best 1500m
  
• Bob Irvine (CAN M55) - season best 500m, personal records 1000m and 1500m
  
• Sean Maw (CAN M45) - season bests 500m and 1000m
  
• Cornelis Hijnen (CAN M40) - season bests 500m and 1000m
  
• Brian Johnston (CAN M55) - season best 1500m
  
• Matthew Otwinowski (CAN M55) - season bests 500m and 1000m
  
• Werner Meyer (CAN M70) - season best 1500m

Congratulations to all skaters. Complete results may be seen here.

21st MASTERS' INTERNATIONAL ALLROUND GAMES

This year, 7 Canadians took part in the 21st Masters’ International Allround Games held March 9 to 11, 2012 in the Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann-Icehall, in the beautiful city of Erfurt/Germany. A total of 192 participants from 15 countries (AUS 1, AUT 1, BLR 5, ESP 1, FIN 8, GER 28, ITA 6, KAZ 2, NED 67, NOR 39, RUS 15, SUI 5, SWE 3, USA 4) came from as far as Australia to skate in this unique event.




The meet was again a success thanks to the organisers, Eissportclub Erfurt and all the friendly volunteers who welcomed us, provided good ice for breaking new IMMSC masters records and personal achievements and a good time! Usually, one of the rules of this meet is that the skater has to qualify to skate the 4th distance (women 3000m and men 3000m or 5000m depending on age) according to their overall standing after the third distance. This year, because of a lower number of skaters and higher dropout number, the organisers had enough time to exceptionally allow all skaters to skate their 4th distance. We would like to thank them and wish that this would always be the case.

Congratulations to all Canadian skaters who skated well: Jennifer Boyer (F30-34) finishing overall 5th, Anika Bédard (F45-49) 9th, Julie Houle (F45-49) 11th, Constant Montpellier (M50-54) 5th, Alain Meilleur (M50-54) 16th, John Pillar (M50-54) 19th and Bob Irvine (M55-59) 6th.

Next year, this meet will take place in the recently build oval in Inzell, Germany. Start training soon and we hope to see you there!

The complete results are available here.

SUE STECKLE JOINS MSS NEWS

Readers may have noticed the February 10, 2012 post titled "Masters Speed Skating Events Calendar" by Sue Steckle. Starting with the 2012-13 competition season, Sue will be coordinating the MSS News Events Calendar using Google Calendar. In addition to being the usual one-stop shop for many events of interest to Canadian masters, this calendar will provide increased interactivity and additional information such as links to event location maps. The calendar will also be able to be synchronized into other calendar platforms or mobile phones.

MSS News is very pleased to welcome Sue (Edmonton AB, originally from Waterloo ON) to the existing team of blog contributors which will again increase coverage of what's happening with masters speed skating all across Canada. If you know about events which may be of interest to masters speed skaters, please send information to Sue at skate@suesteckle.com

MSS News continues to thank Anika Bedard (Quebec City), Rejean Lavoie (Edmonton) and Shelia McGinn (Halifax) for their ongoing support.

As always, if there's something happening in your area - let us spread the News by sending your stories, reports, photos and results to mss@cogeco.ca By working together, we can continue to promote masters speed skating in Canada and around the world.

CANADIANS IN BERLIN

Congratulations to Randy Plett, of Winnipeg MAN, for his 2nd place overall finish in the Men 45 category at the 15th Masters International Masters Cup in Berlin GER during March 3-4, 2012. Randy's 41.41 sec 500m was the 2nd fastest in his age category and 3rd fastest out of 69 men of all divisions. His 2:06.06 1500m was also 2nd fastest for Men 45 and 4th fastest out of 69 men of all divisions.

Bob Irvine, of Calgary AB, also skated well finishing 4th overall in the Men 55 category. Bob's 42.92 sec 500m was the 2nd fastest in his age category and 11th fastest overall.

This competition, held at the Icehall Sportforum, attracted 80 skaters from 7 nations. Complete results can seen here.

2012 Skate the Common Marathon Halifax NS

The Skate the Common Marathon returned to the Halifax Common on February 18th and 19th, 2012, with six races over two days, including two new events: Tri-the-Oval, a skate-bike-run winter triathlon sanctioned by Triathlon Nova Scotia, and the 3K Top Blade Sledge Race, both firsts for the Common.

Warming up for the 5K Family Race
Photo by Peter Steeper

After a week of challenging weather, conditions improved on Saturday morning for the 5K Icebreaker Family and Open races.

Olivia Gowan of Fredericton NB showing great form in the 5K Open

Photo by Peter Steeper

In the afternoon, the weather and ice were great and the skating fast for the 25K Big Ice Challenge.

Susan Hayden enjoying the 25K Big Ice Challenge
Photo by Elio Dolente

The weather was cold and windy Sunday morning for the triathlon.

Landon Zeeman and Mike Christie in the lead in the Tri-the-Oval winter triathlon
Photo by Peter Steeper

Sunday afternoon, the ice was fast for the 10K Hockey/Speed Skate Challenge, and the sledge race.

Start of the 10K Hockey/Speed Skate Challenge
Photo by Peter Steeper

Jake Maarse of North Gower, ON, who skated all three skating marathon distances, was the overall winner of the 5K Open, and 10K Hockey/Speed Skate Challenge, and came second in the 25K Big Ice Challenge. Landon Zeeman was the overall winner of the 25K, and the Tri-the-Oval Triathlon.

Dave Waters and Vicki Morton on their way to winning their classes

Photo by Peter Steeper

Fifteen sledge hockey players from the Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton, and the Halifax Regional Municipality competed in the 3K Top Blade Sledge Race. Vicki Morton, Sam Meehan, Eric Durand, Dave Waters, and Van Bernard won their classes.

Complete results are available here.

More pictures by the marathon's official photographer, PeterSteeper.ca available here.

ARNASON 3rd AT WORLD MASTERS SPRINTS

Congratulations to Brett Arnason of Winnipeg who placed 3rd in the Men's 60-64 age group at the 4th Masters International Sprint Games in Heerenveen NED this past weekend.

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

Other Canadian competitors included Randy Plett (12th overall for Men 45-49) also from Winnipeg and Julie Houle from Saint John (13th overall for Women 45-49).

Complete results can be seen here.

4th MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN OPEN

During February 4 to 5, 2012; thirty-five skaters assembled in Fort St. John, British Columbia to compete in the 4th Masters International Canadian Open. The amazing Pomeroy Sports Centre served as the venue on its 2nd floor 400m indoor oval overlooking 2 hockey rinks below with an indoor walking/jogging track overhead at the 3rd floor. Ice guru Mark Messer, from Calgary's Olympic Oval, was on-hand assisting centre staff to create the best possible ice conditions for this event as well as the Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships scheduled February 11-12.

Participants included 30 masters (8 women and 22 men) and 5 seniors (3 women and 2 men) including former national team member and local hero, Jay Morrison. The international aspect of the meet was guaranteed with the welcome presence of Steven Miller of Plymouth, Minnesota.

In addition to the official short all-round olympic-style events (500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m), various exhibition races were also held including 100m (heats and finals), team pursuits (6 laps for women, 8 laps for men) and mass start 10 km and 25 km "marathons". Combined with practice times on both Thursday and Friday, there was no shortage of opportunity to skate.

The Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club did a fabulous job of hosting the event including a honour guard of young skaters carrying flags during the opening ceremonies and individual lap-counters for marathon participants. This "above and beyond" welcome for competitors was evident throughout the Pomeroy Centre, the host Pomeroy Hotel and the city itself, including a tremendous social gathering on Saturday evening which featured special awards for the most "experienced" skaters and those who had travelled the farthest to attend.
Many thanks to all event officials and the many helpful volunteers including meet coordinator Sheri Dressler, chief referee Rita Johnson, assistant referee Wim Kok, recorder Dee-Ann Stickel and the ever-cheerful clerk-of-the-course Claudette McDowell.
Complete results can be seen here. Check out this report in the Alaska Highway News.

Masters Speed Skating Events Calendar

12TH MASTERS INTERNATIONAL DAVOS MEETING

A skating trip to Davos Switzerland, combined with the International Masters Meeting held every mid-January, had long been an item on my personal bucket list. We had originally planned to go in 2011 but opted for the Canadian Masters Championships in Halifax as we thought that would be our only chance to skate long track in Halifax. Who knew the then temporary oval would be such a great success and that the City would decide to re-construct it as a permanent facility? As it turned out, however, the 2011 Davos International Masters Meeting was cancelled when the temperature uncharacteristically rose and the natural ice unfortunately melted.

The 2012 Davos Meeting and we, in turn, were however blessed with sunny skies, almost non-existent wind and perfect temperatures making for ideal skating conditions. Ideal, of course, if one is patient - in my excitement, I showed up on my first day to get on the ice ASAP for the daily open speed skating session from 10 am to 2 pm, but quickly learned that the more experienced skaters wait until about 11:15 after the sun has cleared the east mountain ridge. By 1:00 pm, folks are sitting comfortably outside on the south-facing benches beside the Eisbahn building.The views of the mountains and the clean alpine air make this a speed skating experience like no other. The air and hence the ice is so clean, my blades needed only a slight sharpening after the first 3 days of skating - a welcome contrast to those of us who skate outdoors in less pristine urban environments.There were only 14 skaters (3 women and 11 men) in the actual competition including 7 Canadians, 2 Dutch and 5 Swiss. The Canadian contingent featured a reunion of 6 former national team skaters from the 1970's and 1980's organized by Pat Kelly and including Nancy Goplen, Linda Love, Cathy Turnbull-Spence, Gary Goplen and Cam Tipping. For them, this was an opportunity to re-visit this famous and historic high altitude oval where they had raced and trained 25 to 30 years prior.

Combining the competition with the Swiss Sprint Championships, the meet organizers did a fantastic job including a very nice dinner and social gathering at the nearby Hotel Bundnerhoef on Saturday evening. Competition results can be seen here.

Canadian women on podium

Our trip to Davos was everything we hoped for plus some - highly recommended for those wishing to experience fantastic outdoor speed skating.

First Ever Nova Scotia Long Track Mass Start Meet

On January 21st and 22nd, the Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club hosted the first ever long track mass start meet in Nova Scotia at the Emera Oval in Halifax. Four masters women and seven masters men from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia participated in the meet.

Julie Houle of New Brunswick came first overall among the masters women, and Carolyn Jarock and Augustine van der Baaren established Nova Scotia age class records at 100M, 500M, 1000M and 1500M.

Henk Kwindt came first overall among the masters men, establishing Nova Scotia age class records at 100M, 500M, 1000M, 1500M and 3000M. Friedemann Brauer and Philip Brown also established records for the same distances, and Charles Verge at 100M, 500M and 1000M.

The event introduced an all-ages long track relay with participants from across the age groups, from FUNdamentals to Masters 70-74, on every team.

Complete results are available here.

Pictures are available on Facebook here.

Photos courtesy of Kevin Goswell.

Registration for the 2012 Skate the Common Marathon is now open

Registration for the 2012 Skate the Common Marathon in Halifax on February 18-19, 2012 is now open at these links:

5K, 10K and 25K skating races

Tri-the-Oval winter triathlon

3K sledge race

Following the huge response to last year’s marathon, a few changes have been made. There will be two 5K and two 10K races, each divided into a race for skaters under 20, and another race for skaters 20 and over. Registration for each of these races will be capped at 60 participants. Registration for the 25K will be capped at 70.

A skate-bike-run winter triathlon has been added to the event, and is being run in collaboration with Triathlon Nova Scotia. This is open to both individual and team participation. Registration will be capped at 80 participants, and currently stands at 74.

There will also be a 3K race for sledge hockey players. Registration for this event will be capped at 60.

The Atlantica Hotel is once again the official hotel for the marathon, and is offering the same package as last year.

Full details are available here.