February 23/01 8:55 am - Whistler Update, Track Camp, Harnett to Ontario Sport, Birthday

Posted by Editor on 02/23/01
 

Whistler World Cup Replacement - Update

We have received communication from Gestev, who are putting together the bid for the World Cup to replace Whistler. According to Gestev, they are currently negotiating with the UCI to host the event at Grouse Mountain in the Vancouver region. Gestev says that they will host all three World Cup events - Cross-country, Dual and Downhill - at Grouse if the UCI approves their bid. Site inspection takes place next weekend, after which the UCI will make a final decision.


National Track Camp
(courtesy Kurt Innes)

Hello all,
we have finished our first and second days of racing here in Burnaby. The atmosphere and excitement was very exceptional last night for the regular weekly racing (Wednesday night) with over 50 athletes present. The racing was definitely very fast and competitive with all 3 categories seeming to really jack up the speed in their respective races. The groups were split into ability based categories with the local Burnaby athletes sticking to their normal "A" or "B" groups, with the juniors from Alberta joining into the "B" category. The elite sprinter oriented athletes at the camp were placed into a "C" category as well.

The racing format last night was group oriented with a miss and out, a scratch race and a points race for each category. The overall atmosphere of the night seemed very positive and the racing was incredible. Having had Nationals on a 200 Meter Track last year (in Bromont) it is very easy to compare the calibre and quality of racers across the country. Last night's racing is definately a very positive sign that B.C track racers are heading in the right direction, and the Burnaby velodrome and the associated volunteers and officials are to be commended for all of their hard work and efforts. Keith Bruneau (Victoria) was the evenings biggest winner of the evening, as he took home 1st place in all 3 of the "sprinter" category events!

Today's racing was more time trial oriented with 28 of our camp athletes participating in 200M, 500 M, Olympic Sprint, and 2000 Meter events. Again being able to compare times from this track directly with Bromont's results from last year leave myself and all the athletes very excited about the year to come.

To compare a couple of results from today with the Mens 200 M TT at 2000 Nationals in Bromont:

11.541 was the fastest qualifier time (D. Baron) at Nationals 2000, and today's fastest 200 M TT was 11.4 (Steen Madsen, Juventus). Steen Madsen also set the fastest time in the mens 500 M (34.89). Steen, Lars Madsen, and Jim Fisher teamed up for the fastest Olympic Sprint time (41.7) over the 600 Meter distance, just narrowly beating out Alex Maurais (Quebec) Tyler Hansen (Victoria) and Keith Thorianson (Toronto) (41.9) . Again the depth of our male sprint program is really beginning to grow, and we are now seeing more and more athletes becoming competitive in all 3 of the Olympic Sprint Positions (starter, 2nd rider, and 3rd rider).

In women's action Lori -Ann Muenzer (Juventus) set the fastest time in the women's 200 Meter with a 12.91, and also in the women's 500 M TT (37.13). Stephanie Hannos set the fastest time in the women's 2000 Meter (2:42.2). Junior athletes also had a great day today with Ryan McKenzie (Olympic Oval) setting the fastest time in the Junior Men's 200 M (12.71), and Cam Evans (Vancouver) setting the fastest 500 Meter time (38.57). Cam McKinnon (Olympic Oval) had the fastest 2000 Meter time for Junior Men (2:48.8). In Junior Women's action Heather Parrot was the fastest rider in all 3 events, with Laura Yoisten our other Junior female athlete feeling very under the weather with the flu!

After three days of very intensive training and racing, all athletes are taking tomorrow off. The Burnaby expedition 2001 officially ends on Saturday night with another night of mass start racing. Many riders from North Western USA, along with the all of the Vancouver regulars, and the 28 camp attendees are expected to take to the boards in Burnaby.

If you are in the Vancouver area on Saturday night - COME AND CHECK OUT THE SHOW!!! RACING BEGINS AT 7 PM. HARRY JEROME SPORTS CENTRE, BARNETT HIGHWAY, BURNABY , B.C

More news tomorrow.

Kurt


Curt Harnett Joins Ontario Sport

The National Sport Centre - Ontario and the Sport Alliance of Ontario have jointly engaged Olympic Cycling Medallist Curt Harnett to take responsibility for business development projects. The appointment is effective February 19.

Harnett comes to SAO and NSCO from IMG Canada, where he worked in sales and marketing. He brings to SAO and NSCO a broad network of business and sport contacts.

At the National Sport Centre - Ontario, Harnett will be involved in a communications and marketing capacity, working closely with a staff that already includes former Olympic athletes and coaches. "Curt's success as an athlete and his high profile advocacy on behalf of Canadian sport brings a high degree of credibility to our efforts to promote the Centre's role in supporting Ontario's high performance athletes and coaches" said NSCO President, Robert Bettauer. "His ability to passionately communicate the value of sport to our country will greatly assist the Centre and the SAO in building partnerships in the private and public sector necessary to advance sport development at all levels."

Bettauer added "The partnership with the Sport Alliance of Ontario in securing Curt establishes an important visible link in sport between participation/development and high performance - a link that needs to continue to strengthen as we recognize the continuum of sport from participation to the podium."

"The SAO is tremendously pleased to have Curt on board," said chair Rolf Lund. "We are on the verge of some very important program developments such as KidSport and our initiative to bring Ontario corporations and communities into closer working partnerships through such avenues as the Sport IS Development Fund. Curt is an excellent spokesman for sport with the corporate sector, and I know that he will bring us some wonderful synergies." Lund further acknowledged the partnership with the National Sport Centre - Ontario as a model for innovation and sport development in Ontario.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity to impact sport at the root," said Harnett. "I want to help raise the profile and level of acceptance of sport in all communities. My commitment to both SAO and NSC-O illustrates the way in which separate organizations in sport with similar interests and directions can connect to achieve their objectives."

The National Sport Centre - Ontario has a mandate to enhance the training environment for Ontario's High performance athletes and coaches to help them achieve podium success. The National Sport Centre - Ontario recently changed its name from the National Sport Centre - Toronto to reflect its expanding support to over 400 athletes and coaches from all sports throughout province. The NSCO is supported by Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Association, the Coaching Association of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and provides the majority of its services and programs through an extensive network of service provider partnerships.

The Sport Alliance of Ontario (SAO) is a private, non-profit organization representative of provincial sport organizations, parks and recreation agencies, scholastic sport and professional sport administrators. With the objective to improve the experience of sport for each participant, the SAO's efforts are aided by the Provincial Sport Organizations Council, Ontario University Athletic Association, Ontario College Athletic Association, Ontario Physical Health and Education Association and Parks and Recreation Ontario.


Happy Birthday To...

Claire Townsend (today).