Speed Skating Club starts 50th season with Canada Games Trials
The Kinsmen Speed Skating Club will hit the ice in October at the Kinsmen Arena with some great hopes and some fastpaced events to kick off its 50th anniversary season.
The speed skating club, now sponsored by the local Kinsmen was founded by Wally Boschuk back in 1968. Boschuk was honoured by having a local arena named after him.
“In keeping with Wally’s tireless spirit of promoting speed skating and sport in general, the club will be hosting a try speed skating event on Thursday, Oct 11th,” according to novice coach John Morris. “There are lots of skaters out there who’ve developed good skills through other sports and this is a chance for them to see how their skills can be used elsewhere. We also get others who simply want to try skating so, every year, we hold an event like this, fit people out with our rental skates and give them some quick basic instruction,” said Morris. “Over the years, many of our best athletes started their careers at events like this and moved on to great things.” Those wanting more information can contact Morris at 306 694-4192, jhmorris@sasktel.net.
On the afternoon of Sunday, October 14th, at the Kinsmen Arena, the club will also be holding a mini-meet. According to head coach Verna Kergan skaters have been invited from around the province to come for sprint races. “It’s a good chance to drop by and see the sport and an opportunity for our skaters to get some early season competition experience. Competing is one of the most rewarding parts of the sport.”
The Kinsmen Speed Skating Club is also proud to host the final of two Canada Winter Games short track team trials. The meet will take place at the Barkman Arena in Caronport on November 10-11. The trials will be held with the club’s an- nual short track competition. The Games are scheduled for Red Deer Alberta this coming February. A long track team and short track team will be chosen for Saskatchewan.
Moose Jaw head coach Verna Kergan, who will be the manager for the long track team, said they expect Moose Jaw skaters Marc André Doyon, and Jane and Molly Morris to try out for one of the teams. Doyon recently began his season at a long track meet in Calgary and where the long track portion of the Canada Games will take place. Kergan added, “Marc did well for his first time competing in long track this year and will be a strong contender for either team thanks to his hard work in the off season.”
At the last Canada Winter Games the club sent five skaters with Graeme Fish and Gabrielle Sanson, bringing silver medals home in 2015. Both Fish and Sanson now train with programs at the Olympic Oval in Calgary and both went on to compete at the international level.
For more information contact Verna Kergan 306 690-9677.