Pages

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Neck Guard Safety Reminder



This important notice is from Ted Houghton, Executive Director, British Columbia Speed Skating Association:
SAFETY REMINDER
An issue was brought to the attention of SSC ODC this week and was discussed by our committee during our monthly conference call December 09, 2009. The issue concerns the wearing of neck guards by skaters participating in all Speed Skating Canada short track competitions. We are aware that certain athletes have not been wearing neck guards during SSC competitions, believing that the kevlar suits they are wearing provide adequate protection and comply with current regulations.
SSC ODC wishes to remind you that it is contrary to SSC regulations to skate without a neck guard based upon Rule N4-103 paragraph (b) found on page N-51 of the 2009-2010 Procedures and Regulations.
This rule states: All skaters must wear a neck protector during short track competitions. The neck protector must be of a bib type design covering the neck and all the soft parts of the upper chest area. It must be made of ballistic nylon as the main material. The neck protector
must securely fastened and tucked into the skin suit. Until and if this rule is changed, updated or deleted, it is applicable.
Officials are placed in an awkward position if they permit skaters to skate without a neck guard and someone is injured as a result. In light of the recent spate of accidents and injuries and the discussions related to safety and medical services for our competitions which were held during the recent LTPAD meetings in Ottawa, SSC ODC believes it would be placing officials, coaches and indeed, SSC in a very precarious position if this rule were to be ignored.
SSC ODC hopes that you will understand our grave concerns and that you will advise athletes that the rule in question will be followed. SSC ODC is not in a position to entertain arguments regarding the relative safety of kevlar suits in this regard. The only issue is whether or not a current rule designed for the safety and protection of athletes is being followed.
 Image from Kitchener Waterloo Sertoma Speed Skating Club

Monday, December 7, 2009

Results: Kelowna Interclub Competition

The Zone 2 speed skating qualifiers were held in Kelowna this past weekend along with the Kelowna interclub competition.

Anneke (14) and Sara (13) were both vying for a spot on the Juvenile girls BC team to which the top two skaters in Zone 2 were selected. Anneke completed the qualifiers in first place spot with 3 first place finishes, one third and and three personal best times. Sara finished in second overall with 2 second place finishes, 1 third and 1 first place finish.

Josie (15 yrs) prequalified for the BC games team in the Junior women division as she qualified to skate at her first Junior National Short Track Competition held in Edmonton this same weekend. This was Josie’s first time to qualify for Junior Nationals – she skated to a personal best time in the 500m and finished in 24th place overall. Sister Tori Spence also qualified for Junior Nationals for the first time and finished in 20th place overall. Tori placed 1st in her super 1500m D final but had some tough luck in her other events with a fall in the preliminary rounds of the 1500m event and was disqualified in the 500m event. She finished in 2nd place in the F final of the 1000m.

Personal best times were shattered by other club skaters participating in the interclub portion of the Kelowna competition. In Division 9 Alexander Willis skated to one 1st and two 2nd place finishes with personal bests in all three distances. In Division 7, Tim Mburu skated to 6 personal best times with four 1st place finishes; Alex Forbes skated to 5 personal best times with one 1st place finish. In Division 6 Eric Spence skated to 4 personal best times with three 1st place finishes; Matej Pederson had one personal best time and one 1st place finish, and Calvin Forbes had 4 personal best times.

Anneke Pederson, Sara Spence and sister Josie Spence, all members of the River City Racers Speed Skating Club, will be representing Zone 2 at the BC Winter Games in Terrace BC this March 3 – 7th 2010.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Skate-A-Thon

Calling all skaters! Plan to participate in the 2010 Skate-A-Thon to be held at Logan Lake on January 10th. This event will take place at Owen's Oval in Logan Lake immediately after the Polarthon which is scheduled to wrap up around 11:00 a.m. 

The Skate-A-Thon is a fundraising activity for the Kamloops River City Racers Speed Skating Club but you don't have to be a club member to participate, and you can use any kind of skates.

We're offering a great prize! For every $25 you raise you will receive an entry into a draw for four tickets to a Blazers game and a pizza dinner for four.  So the more money you raise, the greater your odds of winning!

Following this event there will be a hot dog roast and hot chocolate around a bonfire.

Download the pledge form (PDF 57 KB) and start collecting now!

2010 Polarthon


Registration is now open for the 2010 Polarthon! This winter triathlon (skate, run, and cross country ski) is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together to enjoy a day of winter fun. You can enter individually or as a team. Why not round up your colleagues at work? This year we have a new corporate team category. A prize is awarded for the best costume and medals are awarded to top finishers.

When: January 10, 2010 9:00 a.m.
Where: Owen's Oval, Logan Lake
What: 3 km skate, 2.5 km run, 4 km ski (any style), 2.5 km run

Download the brochure and entry form (PDF 688 KB).  Register by mail, in person, or online, and pay on the event day.

Drop Off Locations
Runners Sole
#74-1395 Hillside Dr.
Kamloops, BC V2E 2R7

Taboo Cycle
#3-2160 Flamingo Rd.
Kamloops, BC  V2C 4J9

WHY
Village Centre Mall 
Logan Lake, BC V0K 1W0

NL Broadcasting
611 Lansdowne St.
Kamloops, BC
V2C 1Y6

Questions?
Brett McIlwain  250-571-1031
WHY Society  250-523-6229

December 3 Mini Meet


Kamloops River City Racers will be running a second mini meet of the season Thursday, December 3 at at McArthur Island arena.

We will need parent volunteers to help out with the timing and getting skaters on and off the ice, place judging and officiating on the ice. You will be assigned a role when you arrive at the rink.

The general format will be:
  • 4:00 – 4:20 – warm up 10 minutes group 1 10 minutes group 2
  • 4:25 – 5:15 (or so) each skater to skate 4 distances. – skaters will be grouped with others of like abilities
  • 5:15 – 5:30 – clockwise race, relay race
  • 5:30 – 5:45 – obstacle course set up and skate through
  • 5:45 – 5:55 – pin testing