Have skates, will travel ...

Saskatchewan speed skaters have been traveling to a number of big events this month, competing with the best in Canada, North America and, in one case, the world at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

 

Regina's Lucas Makowsky made his Olympic debute, competing in the 5000m (13th), 1500m (19th) and team pursuit. Although he didn't make the podium, he achieved his personsal best in at least one distance at the Richmond Oval and gained some valuable experience competing on the world stage.

With speed skating taking centre stage at the Olympics, some clubs have been working hard to capitalize on the publicity to heighten public awareness of the sport and increase membership. The Regina Speed Skating Club, for example, hosted a Festival on Ice in part to mark Lucas Makowsky's Olympic debute. The event featured an old-fashioned pond skate, speed skating demonstrations and displays, along with a 100m Skaters Challenge, won by a speed skater, no less. Check out the video and photos .

 

Regina Speed Skating Club members and coaches also entertained a number of reporters seeking local reaction to the Olympics.  At least a dozen stories were generated by the local print and broadcast media outlets, attracting more coverage than any other sport throughout the month of February.

 

Leading up to the Olympics, Saskatchewan skaters also participated at Canada Cup 2 in Saskatoon, the Canadian Long Track Championship in Winnipeg and the  North America Championship in Salt Lake City.  Thirty-four skaters also participated in the Saskatchewan Winter Games in Moose Jaw during the Vancouver Olympics. Congratulations to Saskatoon's Lucas Morin, five-time gold medalist at the Saskatchewan Winter Games! You can view photos from most of these events in our Saskatchewan Speed Skating photo gallery .

 

Regina’s Kali Christ will be traveling to Moscow, Russia in March after qualifying for Junior World Long Track Championship, while Humboldt’s William Dutton traveled to Obihiro, Japan in mid-January for the International Speed Skating Union's World Sprint Championship.  Aside from competing in the championship, Dutton got a wake up call from an earthquake that registered 5.4 on the Richter Scale. Fortunately, it was just a wake up call. Click here to read the news release.

Another noteable acheivement, Joshua Gallipeau of Moose Jaw was the Junior National Champion for Mass Start Long Track.  Joshua placed 1st overall at the 2010 Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships.  Saskatchewan also had many great results. 

Saskatchewan speed skaters are about to begin their bell lap in competitions for the 2009-2010 speed skating season with short track meets scheduled for Moose Jaw (Mar. 6-7) and Saskatoon (Mar. 13-14).  Prince Albert Speed Skating Club hosted the first short track meet of 2010 with Sask Cup #3, which took place on Feb. 13th.

 

 

Team Saskatchewan at the 2010 Canadian Long Track Championship, Winnipeg.