BRITISH COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011 The Leading Edge

The Spence family made a big impression this year in speed skating. Tori and Josie rocked the Winter Games while their younger siblings Eric and Sara set National Records.

Table of Contents Notes from the Editor Winter Games...... 2 It’s quite a thing to have an open forum where I can jot down CWG results...... 3 thoughts and you are my captive audience...hehehe. A dream come Icebreakers...... 4 true. All kidding aside though, the photo above gives me reason to River City Racers...... 5 pause and remember the contributions of Owen Spence. He was Richmond Rockets...... 6 one of a kind and his selfless dedication to his family and to speed Long Track...... 7 skating should never be forgotten. He would have been very proud of the family he has carrying on in his name. Burnaby Haida...... 8 WSBCST Results...... 9 Next Issue: June 2011 Ridge Meadows...... 11 Sylvia Lindgren History of CWG...... 12 [email protected] 1 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

BC SPEED SKATERS ROCK THE WINTER GAMES

BC’s speed skaters enjoyed a tremendous lead and wanted the win but were just a experience at the 2011 Canada Winter Games little slower than Quebec. February 11- 17. TEAM BC skaters achieved 8) An opening ceremony that athletes their best-ever finish for speed skating with a total universally loved even though it had one of 8 medals including 3 golds, 1 silver and 4 manager plugging his ears trying to limit bronze. hearing loss.

Team members were: ST – Courtney Shmyr, Michelle MacKay, Jesse Keca, Jamie Macdonald, Robyn Kempers, Tim Hempsall, Mitch Kupchanko, Thomas McLennan, William McLennan and Jordan Rosborough. LT – Tori Spence, Sarah Pousette, Josie Spence, Alison Banwell, Jamie Inglis, Aedan Giffin, Braden Clouthier and Phillip Shrimpton

Coaches- Nancy Goplen, Debby Fisher Managers – Jacques Thibault, Keith Gordon Apprentice Coach – Chris Acton 9) BC’s delegation being led by a speed skater as flag bearer– Tori Spence. The games experience included lots of highlights – 10) BC’s short track girls all being, in all in no particular order: events, top 15 of 49 participants! 1) Universal appreciation for BC’s stylish 11) Super 1500’s finals having 2 BC girls in skin-suits – kudo’s to the creators. the A and 2 in the B finals. 2) Travel that went on schedule !!! (survivors 12) Super 1500’s finals having 2 BC guys in the of Whitehorse will be impressed). B finals. 3) Luxurious accommodation in a fancy hotel! 13) The Spence sisters being interviewed live – does anyone remember the mud at Corner on TSN by anchor Catriona LeMay-Doan Brook and the wash trailers? 14) Wonderful support for BC speed skaters 4) Fantastic LT ice with a refrigerated track from the attentive mission staff – Michelle that was always in great shape and within Collens (a super fan herself who was in walking distance of the Athlete’s village – charge of BC’s opening ceremonies line up no venue buses for LT’ers and the pep rally) and Dave Newson. 5) Television coverage of the 500 m short track, the super 1500’s and relay finals After the cheers died down the reflections started. 6) The thrill of gold medals by Tori Spence in What caused our team to win twice as many the 3000 m LT, Courtney Shmyr in the 500 medals as we won in 1995? ST and the ladies Team Pursuit. 7) BC girls being full value for a silver medal Obviously the answer is that the top athletes that in the ST relay – they challenged for the BC sent were stronger. They were stronger for several reasons including that their home clubs are

2 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

being more effective in mental I can’t help looking ahead to and physical preparation. Other Prince George and wondering factors would be that the about all our 10 to 14 year old coaching for Team BC has been skaters (some of whom recently in place for an extended time – did very well in Winnipeg) and several years running camps what they might be doing in open to CWG age skaters. 2015. It seems like we need to Coaches have built a relationship continue on with better physical with the athletes and with one preparation, high levels of another with a team approach to competition, testing, attending athlete development. A team camps and building Four excited Team BC members head to Halifax (Robyn Kempers, Sardis; relationship built throughout the enthusiasm. All coaches need to Michee MacKay, Thomas McLennan, years leading up to the Games look beyond the borders of their and Wiiam McLennan, Ridge Meadows). allowed the coaches to know the club, continually raise the bar based athletes much and be innovative with training. better. Training camps with an In addition, the bridge between emphasis on technique, pursuit Calgary based athletes and CWG training and team building helped coaching staff is very important foster a strong contingent. There for CWG results. And, if club- was an attitude. The team went based coaching can be working there to race, not simply to be a with the CWG coaching staff on “tourist” athlete. Jacques shared goals it will be even Thibault was very positive and stronger. insisted that the team was going to be good and made outrageous Congratulations to all the athletes predictions of medal totals that that represented BC so well. Tori Spence carried the flag for the BC proved well founded. Positive Keith Gordon team at the Canada Winter Games vibes and expectations lead to held in Halifax. positive results!

Canada Winter Games Results

LT: Tori Spence: Gold in the 3,000m, Bronze in the 1000m and 1500m LT: Josie Spence: Bronze in the 3,000m LT: Ladies Team Pursuit: Gold

ST: Courtney Shmyr: Gold in the 500m and Bronze in the 1,500m ST: Ladies Relay Team: Silver

In addition our skaters earned over 30 top 10 finishes making these the BEST ever results for BC speed skaters at any CWG! Congratulations to our Athletes and Coaches.

3 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

Salmon Arm Ice Breakers

The Salmon Arm Icebreakers are enjoying a fun, exciting season. The club participated in meets in Kamloops and Kelowna in 2010 with some great times posted . Alyssa Skaalid skated in Calgary and earned an invitation to the Canada Winter Games qualifier in Kelowna . This January a large group of skaters from the Icebreakers skated at the 5th Annual Long Track Speed Skating Event in Logan Lake on Owen‘s Oval. The club skaters took home many medals and the club won back the cup. Alex Seal also competed in and won the Logan Lake Polarthon skate-run-ski event the same day. The Icebreakers recently competed in Vernon’s Interclub competition bringing home many medals , personal bests and racing firsts. The Masters Relay Coaches Joanne Keigan and Mike Ha om the Salmon Arm Icebreakers hold the Logan Challenge Cup race was won by the Salmon Arm team Lake Owen’s Oval Cup. of Cherlyn Drew, Alex Seal , Glen Waneck, and Rick Hofmann . Winning the race locks up the win of the World Masters meet and sure to skate cup for Salmon Arm this year. well. Alyssa Skaalid posted some great times and placed All season long the club has enjoyed well in Mackenzie’s Need For Speed Race on Feb skating in Mini-Meets in Vernon and 19th . Rick Hofmann is currently in Calgary at the many club skaters participate in a competitive practice session with Vernon. Many thanks to Pete Kapak. The Salmon Arm Ice breakers are now looking forward to the Handicap 500 Challenge to be skated over two dates along with Vernon and both Clubs from Kamloops . It looks to be a lot of fun . Cheers Darlene Ogilvie

For more photos of the Logan Lake Meet see www.sandesphotos.smugmug.com Thanks to Sandra deVries .

4 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

River City Racers Setting National Records

The Kamloops River City Racers have had great season so far. Our skaters have attended many interclubs which have produced better interested in participating just ask one of times for every skaters. We have had our club members for more information a good turn out in our fall learn-to- for check out our website. skate and an even greater turn out in the Winter session. 2011 National Longtrack Champions: Highlights so far have been: Sara and Eric Spence travelled to Winnipeg where they each skated to win The Logan Lake LOop (which our the overall all-round National Champion southern longtrack interclub meet) has title. Sara skated to four first place a ritual of the Points Cup We had a finishes (all new Canadian Records) and great turnout of competitors and this a second place finish. Eric skated to years winners of the Points Cup were three first place finishes (all new the Salmon Arm Blades. Canadian Records). We are very proud Congratulations! All of our skaters of these two young skaters and their came away with some type of award accomplishments. and there were a lot of smiles on faces. This competition offers great learning exposure to longtrack or even to their first competition.

The Polarthon saw its largest registration of competitors ever. The Polarthon consists of running, cross- country skiiing, skate events. We had teams of 2-4 or individuals who complete the entire circuit. Many prizes were handed out at the end of the competition which were donated from local business around the community of Kamloops. It is a fun Eric and Sara Spence skated record times to event held every year…so if you are become National Longtrack Champions.

5 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

The Richmond Rockets On the Anniversary of the 2010 Winter Olympic group that sparked the start of something Games, the City of Richmond and Richmond bigger than even they had imagined. The Oval hosted celebrations to honour our Richmond Rockets have a new dream; to grow Canadian athletes for their accomplishments. and live on at the Richmond ! Some lucky skaters from around the lower The Rockets have been fortunate to be skating mainland were able to share in this celebration out of the Oval this season. With much hard with Kristina Groves and Denny Morrison! work and a good look at the program offered to our skaters in the past, our next season As Kristina and Denny relived some of their promises to better address the needs of all memories from the 2010 Olympics, the group skaters and the community. of young skaters were able to meet and skate with them. It was a wonderful event for all The Richmond Rockets and the Richmond those involved and we thank Kristina, Denny, Olympic Oval were also host to the High the City of Richmond and the Richmond Oval Performance group run by Ailsa Le May & the for making this possible. Winterfest 2011 Speed Skating Club this past followed on the weekend of Feb 12-13 at the season and will continue to offer this program Richmond Oval with lots of fun, skating and this fall. other activities. Our skaters have watched as the Canadian athletes came to BC for a chance at their Olympic dream, now our skaters can dream their dreams...... who knows how far they will go.

This has been a great season for the Richmond Rockets, starting out in 2006 at the beginning of the quadrennial knowing that Vancouver would be in the spotlight for the 2010 Winter . The was home to the Long Track Speed Skating event and what better place to embark on a new dream! It was the vision of that founding Danesh, Denny, and Peter.

6 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

Report from the Canadian Age Class Long Track

Winnipeg, Feb. 5-6, 2011

I had the privilege of being one of the BC Coaches for the Canadian Long Track Championships last month, along with my awesome coaching partner Ariana Van Der Starre.

BC can be very proud of its skaters who participated in the CACLT this year. Wow! Not only did we have an amazing medal count of 45…but every skater raced like a champion. Every skater, in every race, gave it his or her all, and skated with heart.

My thought following this event is that we have the ability to be an untouchable powerhouse in long track in Canada. We have an incredible training facility in Ft St John, as well as excellent outdoor ovals elsewhere in the North. We have no excuse but to improve and grow. BCSSA needs to recognize the real value of long track speed skating and try our best to nurture and promote this sport within our own province. We need to promote and showcase the oval in Ft St John and show the world what an amazing facility we have. Speed skating people from other provinces are saying that the FSJ oval is not safe and cannot hold competitions. We need to disprove that myth.

Being outside in Winnipeg also reminded us of the importance of training outdoors for long track. It’s wonderful to skate in ideal conditions all the time, but since some of our competitions take place in less than ideal conditions, it’s very important that our skaters train for both. So with the oval in Ft St John, we can’t lose sight of the importance of our outdoor ovals as well.

Our kids were awesome in every way, and I’m very happy to have been there with them. A big thanks to Ariadne Hiller for being our team manager who did a wonderful job of looking after all the little details.

Sandi Vyse

Condolences to the Sulyma Family

The BCSSA has lost another valued member with the sudden passing of Randy Sulyma in January. Randy, a well respected skater coach with the Fort St. James Falcons, is survived by his wife Sandra and children Joel and Emily. The entire association extends condolences to Randy’s family and friends. He will be remembered for his contributions to the northern speed skating community; his enthusiasm, his encouragement and of course that great laugh. Randy had intended to attend the Canadian Age Class Long Track in Winnipeg as BC’s coach.

7 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

Burnaby Haida Goes Viral

It was cameras, coffee, skin suits and action at Anna Bonga, to compete Feb 5 - 6, 2011 at Kensington Arena in Burnaby on Feb.15 when the Canadian Age Class Long Track Burnaby Haida assistant coach Sophie Beriault got Championships at the CityTV’s Live Eye host Greg Harper geared up and Recreation Complex in Winnipeg. Kiersten’s on-ice for an Introduction to Speed Skating best result was an 8th in the 2400 m Olympic segment during the live 6 - 9 a.m. Breakfast Style event, but she enjoyed being a part of Television program. Team BC’s great showing at the CACLT. The open 5000, held in minus 25 degree The biggest crowd of Burnaby Haida skaters – all conditions, was fun! Really! ages and all levels – to ever take As well, we can report strong participation in advantage of our the Feb. 24 - 27, 20th International Masters Tuesday morning All Round Games in Calgary with six ice session, made masters skaters participating plus Coach short work of the Ariana van der Starre. Representing Burnaby set-up and skated Haida were: Agatha van der Starre, Mike as background for Hagen, Gordon Beriault, Yoko Beriault, Andy almost 2.5 hours Wong and Harvey Russell. while Sophie and some of our Greg Harper of Breakfast Television. youngest skaters taught Greg what he needs to know to be a speed skater.

Check it out at: http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/ 791267482001.000000/greg-learns-to-speed-skate-- sort-of/ Greg tried racing our youngest and oldest skaters – you can imagine how that turned out!

It was fun for all and congratulations to Sophie who did weeks of work organizing with the TV crew and coaching our youngest skaters to skate in trains.

The club was thrilled to send skater Kiersten Hagen, accompanied by Coach Ariana van der Starre, and Kiersten’s mother and fellow skater,

8 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

WorkSafeBC Speed Skating Short Track Championship

March 5th & 6th, 2011. T2T Girls 11 T2T Boys 14 Gold: Connie Kapak-Vernon Gold: Ethan Wilson- Matsqui Silver: Sarah Graham-Dawson Creek Silver: Chris Neykov- Kelowna Bronze: Dallas Hawkes-Sardis Bronze: Mitchell McCullough- Kelowna Iron: Madison Karpes-Matsqui Iron: Christopher Poljer-So- Burnaby

T2T Girls 12 T2T Boys 15 Gold: Callie Swan- Prince George Gold: Trenton Chard- Matsqui Silver: Cara Maltese- POCO Silver: Jun Bae- Langley Bronze: Kadeja White- Prince George Bronze: Lucas Hiller- Prince George Iron: Quinn MacKay- Sardis Iron: Bernie Tse- Vancouver

T2T Boys 12 Open Female Gold: Cormac Chui- Burnaby Gold: Josie Spence- River City Racers Silver: Eric Spence- River City Racers Silver: Morgan Swan- Prince George Bronze: Ben Maxfield- Fort St. John Bronze: Carley Budac- Prince George Iron: Alexander Chizawsky- Matsqui Iron: Hilary Desmarais- Nechako Lakes

T2T Girls 13 Master Female 40-44 Gold: Carolina Hiller- Prince George Gold: Brenda Keutzer- Chetwynd Silver: Alison Desmarais- Nechako Lakes Bronze: Pauline Sutherland- Dawson Creek Master Female 45-49: Iron: Annie Russell- Ridge Meadows Gold: Anna Bono- Burnaby

T2T Boys 13 Master Female 50-54 Gold: Nico Hiller- Prince George Gold: Kathy Kealy- Burnaby Silver: Shota Inoda- Burnaby Silver: Yoko Beriault- Burnaby Bronze: Connor Meeks- Langley Iron: Justin Cross- Ridge Meadows Master Male 30-34 Gold: Abbas Mohammed- Vancouver T2T Girls 14 Gold: Sara Spence- River City Racers Master Male 35-39 Silver: Anneke Pederson- River City Racers Gold: Andy Wong- Burnaby Bronze: Emilie Medland-Marchen- Kelowna Silver: Jeff Thiel- POCO Iron: Alyssa Skaalid - Salmon Arm Master Male 40-44 Gold: Stephen Bau- Matsqui Silver:Michael Mortensen- Vancouver

9 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

EX EA COMMODO CONSEQUAT DUIS.

Master Male 45-49 Gold: Duane Swan- Prince George

Master Male 50-54 Gold: Mike Hagen- Burnaby Silver: Rick Hofmann- Salmon Arm Bronze: Gordon Beriault- Burnaby

Master Male 60-64 Gold: Herman Bosman- Burnaby

Special Olympics Gold: Chris Nicholls- Vancouver Spence Sara Kamloops River City Pederson Anneke Kamloops River City Medland-Marchen Emilie Kelowna Skaalid Alyssa Salmon Arm Holtby Kaitlin Mission TEAM BC for CANADA Chui Cormac Burnaby Spence Eric Kamloops River City WEST Maxfield Ben Fort St John Chizawsky Alex Matsqui Daigneault Willie Pacific Blades Kapak Connie Vernon Inoda Shota Burnaby Hawkes Dallas Sardis Hiller Nico Prince George Graham Sarah Dawson Creek Cross Justin Ridge Meadows Karpes Madison Matsqui Meeks Connor Langley Stewart Andrea Port Coquitlam Fournier Jordan Mission Swan Callie Prince George Wilson Ethan Matsqui White Kadeja Prince George Graham Jacob Dawson Creek Maltese Cara Port Coquitlam Neykov Chris Kelowna Clemons Bekky Sardis Poljer-So Christopher Burnaby Mackay Quinn Sardis Villeneuve Dominic Kamloops Long Blades Hiller Carolina Prince George Chard Trenton Matsqui Russell Annie Ridge Meadows Bae Jun Langley Desmarais Alison Nechako Lake Hiller Lucas Prince George Rasche Teagan Port Coquitlam Tse Bernie Vancouver Sutherland Pauline Dawson Creek Stewart Clifton Port Coquitlam

10 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011

RIDGE MEADOWS REPORT

It’s been an exciting time for Ridge Meadows coaches Julian Green, Eden Donatelli-Green and Racers club members this winter as we watched George Donatelli on all their hard work and BC skaters – including a few of our own - do us endless support. We now head into March with proud on the national scene. skaters competing at the BC championships, RU Most recently, it was great to turn on the TV Fast and maybe even more inter-provincial or surf the net and see our teammates take to the skating to round out the year. Good luck to all. ice at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax. Back home, Ridge Meadows Racers hosted Michelle MacKay, Thomas McLennan, and our annual interclub meet in February this year William McLennan represented Ridge Meadows with more that 180 racers eager to get to the start at the big event along with Robyn Kempers and and get racing. Thanks to all those officials who Courtney Shymr of sister clubs Sardis and offered their help so generously and to the Langley. Thanks to all of them and the rest of the parents who got their kids to the rink for another strong BC team for giving us plenty of exciting fun and fast day. and proud moments. And congratulations to

Canada Games Some of the History of BC’s involvement in the Canada Winter Games:

At the recent games in Halifax , BC skaters won 8 medals including 3 golds. To put this in perspective here is a summary of what I know or could find out about our previous CWG.

The Canada Winter Games have been held every 4 years since 1967 in Quebec City. It is assumed that there was a long track competition there as well as in 1971 (Saskatoon SK), 1975 (Lethbridge AB), and 1979 Brandon MB). Sandi Vyse attended in 1979 as an athlete. However there was no short track until 1983 (Saganay/ Lac Saint Jean, PQ). Sandi also attended these games as an athlete and her recollection is that BC skater Ken Nootebas medalled in LT.

The CWG were then held in the Maritimes for twice, meaning only short track due to maritimes climates. In 1987, in Sidney, NS there is no record of BC medals and in 1991, in Charlottetown, PEI, Duane Krause won a bronze medal.

After PEI the games were always planned with both ST and LT. The 1995 games (Grande Prairie, AB) were big for BC where Jennifer Lee won gold, silver and bronze in long track and Sheryl Leger won a bronze in short track. The games didn’t start well for Jennifer. Due to warm temperatures the warmups were held early in the morning, before it was light, as it was cooler then. On her first warm-up lap she

11 BRITISH COLUMBIA SPEED SKATING ASSOCIATION!MARCH 2011 put her blade into a timing device finishing 2nd. The team of hole in the ice. The blade was Reeves, Brenda Friesen, Kristi Calendar badly bent but there was no Fadden and Alison Testroede Mar 15 - 20 LT Oval Finale injury to Jennifer. Consequently were full value for a silver medal Calgary her first race didn’t go well but finishing behind powerhouse Mar 17 - 20 ST Canadian Age after the blade was fixed she Quebec. Class Championship Montreal ultimately got her full set of Mar 18 - 20 ST National Team medals. The coldest ever games Selection experience had to be in Montreal The 1999 games (Cornerbrook, Whitehorse YK in 2007. Mar 26 - 27 ST Canada West Championships NL) were big for Mi-yeon Kim Morning temperatures were Kelowna who won a bronze medal for BC. below -30 every morning and The female relay team was fast warmed very little. Only one but had an unfortunate fall in the distance was skated each day and final and finished 4th. In the was raced at 1:00 PM being the male relay the team of Cory and warmest part of the day. The Daryl Rasmussen, Mark Holbech short track venue was and Tim Pelz skated a thrilling tremendously exciting, especially race to cross the line in 3rd place the first night in the 1500 metres and then were moved up to silver when skaters Nicholas Contributors with a DQ to a team ahead of Bean and Ivani Blondin both them. The big disappointment at finished ahead of the strong Vickii Paramanathan these games was LT. Herculean Quebec contingents. Quebec work had gone into making the went on to dominate most of the Sandi Vyse oval and the ice was a foot thick. competition. BC was shut out of Lorna Holbech However there was water individual medals in ST and LT underneath it from prolonged but the guys skated a super effort Diana Coder thawing weather and it was too to win a bronze medal in the Barb Beck soft to skate. The competition Team Pursuit. had to be cancelled leaving BC Darlene Ogilvie athletes that eventually had After BC’s best ever skating Marian Toft national team cards (Jay performance in Halifax we can Morrison, Jeff Kitura and Ian look forward to 2 games in Keith Gordon Houghton) with no CWG racing. western Canada with Prince George hosting in 2015. Here’s The 2003 games were also in the hoping that our performances east (Campellton and Bathhurst will top even Halifax. NB). BC had several strong skaters and good results with Keith Gordon – thanks to Sandi Vyse several 4ths by Joe Gladysz, for some history notes. Michael Friesen and Jasmine Reeves. BC’s female short track team won BC’s only medal –

12