Canadian Peter Doucet provides a look into the world of speed skating. Online since March 1999, Speed Skate World (used to Peter's Inline Racing Web Page) provides the skating world with results, photos, news, gossip, and just plain fun! Contact Peter Doucet at shaloheat@hotmail.com

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Friday, August 31, 2007

This Weekend- Quebec Cup & More, Toronto Inline Skating Club Practice Time Change, Stolen T-Shirts, AM Wing, Swiss News

This Weekend- Quebec Cup & More: The 3rd edition of the Quebec Cup is taking place tomorrow in Longueuil, which is south of Montreal. The 400-meter track that the Quebec Cup uses is lined by the St Lawrence river and looks north to Montreal, one of the world's most beautiful cities.

In case you don't know about it, the Ottawa Inline Skating Festival is taking place this Sunday.

Toronto Inline Skating Club Practice Time Change: The Toronto Inline Skating Club tuesday & thursday practices will begin at 6:00pm for the rest of this season- that's to the end of September.

Stolen T-Shirts: This sucks; T-shirts Go Missing at Big Apple Roll- I guess they'll be pretty easy to spot- 'Henkle asks skaters to keep their eyes open at events and online for the missing tees. They won't be hard to spot: just look for the Empire Skate web address (www.empireskate.org) and Lady Liberty (as in Statue of Liberty) going for a roll'.


AM Wing: While I was sitting on the bus after the marathon at this year's world championships in Cali, Colombia, the Canadian team manager & coach Mister Taylor showed me a set of wheels that a lady gave him. I'd never seen these wheels before, but while surfing the internet today, I found that the wheels were AM Wing Inline Speed Wheels.


Swiss News: Are you wondering about what do put into your training program and what activities you can select? Bill Begg posted some information for Swiss skaters in Swiss News- see post 8/31/07 11:22 am. He writes 'With Pro teams & WIC & SIC committements, the two nearest concentrations,of top skaters have organized training on Tuesday & Thursday. So it was decided that Wednesday was the best night to hold an open training session, with what could best develope the Swiss skaters.

So A series of 16 to 20 flying 200 meters is held & also a training points race, to teach the skaters positioning & operating in a bunch with skaters everywhere, with sprints every 5 laps going from 300 meters out & a regrouping period, but to give tactical experience & costant changes of pace.

A session to suit everyone, so the top skaters could extend themselves & the learners & not so good skaters could join in, without anyone running into others & a large group making effective & efficient use of the track, at the same time without hindering others.

From 3 to 5 pm in the afternoon we run a Junior session,where we focus on Technical matters & a variety of different training, with the younger skaters, as a group before they learn & develope bad Technique, we try & fix any thing we can.

With the Seniors, many have developed bad Technique & at a general session you can not change this, as Technical problems created over a long period in senior skaters,take a very long time to change if ever.

So changes & work of this nature need to occurr outside of the normal group training.

So for those wanting variety, 5 other days per week we do that & you are welcome to join in,some skate training for instance.

Minute x Minute for 1 hour.

Motor paced sprints behind the motorcycle & comming off out of the slip stream once over 50 kmph.

10 sec x 30 secs x 3 rest then 4 series & other rest.

Relay practices,

Muscular Endurance distance work on the bank track.

One steady distance skate per week, remembering often to treat your weekend marathon, as if it was your hard long run for the week.

Then Intervals up Hills on the racing bikes.

Often an hour easy bike ride, if Muscles tired from Sprinting.

Your once per week weight & plyometrics maintenance session during the racing season.

But on Wednesday Night, we do what can fit in best for everyone who wants to learn from the top class World skaters, who are usually present, in the hope that Swiss skaters take the opportunity to learn.

If ones fixed in their ways do not wish to, thats O/K, there will be others who will develope & become competitive in the future & take National team positions
'.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Catching Up On The Last Few Weeks #2

Catching Up On The Last Few Weeks #2: Looks like from this entry on, I am all caught up on the links/ updates that I've saved. There's plenty for you to chew on tonight- here we go!

I'll start you off today with a bunch of links. Some of them you've probably visited before. I have re-discovered some of the following links when I was checking where the SSW traffic comes from. The Ottawa Speedskating Club, InlinePics.com, Pascal Briand's blog, MPC Speed Racing, TNT World Team Korea, Asphalte Roller, Team Anaeli EOskates, US Speed Skating, Patinaje De Velocidad, Roller Sports Manitoba, and RSV Gera & its forum.

And now for some news and information items of interest; no Disney Inline Marathon for 2008, Chocolate milk tops 'power' beverages (Nick Zacchia will love this one), Father Pleads Guilty To Giving Son, 13, Steroids, recovery plan after an injury (get well Mike Garvin!), and $10000 for Duluth course record.

The final bit of entries includes results, reports, and photos; RSO Speed Series #4 photos and report #1 (CITC) & report #2 (Candy Wong), 100km Bartlehiemtocht report and results, Andrew Love's It's a breautiful day- back to ice, FIC 2 de Besançonreport, photos from the St Paul Inline Marathon, Hebbrecht cortó el reinado de Duggento tras nueve años.


Steve Robillard- winner of the SPIM- photo by Darlene Prois and posted on the Inline Planet


Finish of the senior men's marathon- photo by Luis Ramirez

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Leaving Cali Was Hard, Catching Up On The Last Few Weeks #1

Leaving Cali Was Hard: I am back home and settled back in after I slept in until 1pm today. I've been catching up on all the good stuff that's on the internet, and here's some good and critical world championships reading for you; Worlds 2007, the balance.

All of my world championships videos can be found here. What I will do at a later date is take all my videos and entries and put them on one page for you. That will clear up the right side of SSW.

One of the skaters that I met was Israel's Boaz Arad. Stop by his blog and you'll see that he posted the senior men's marathon results. I was looking at the senior men's marathon results and it seems that they forgot me! I should be somewhere around 35th place. Ah well.

This one's pretty cool; August 20-26 MSNBC This Week In Sports Pictures. Good picture eh?


Leaving Cali was hard- there was some sort of transit or truck strike and all sorts of trucks blocked bridges all around our hostel. The Santa Rita Hostel staff helped Morgane, Martine, and I carry our luggage through the maze of jammed pedestrian, bike, and motorbike traffic to get a cab. We made it to where traffic was flowing and managed to get a cab and rushed to the airport. Leaving Cali was hard...


Before leaving, we got a group shot of the Santa Rita Hostel staff with Morgane and I


Catching Up On The Last Few Weeks #1: Inline 111- Aaron Arndt finished 4th overall- click here for the results. If you'd like to read up on the race and what happenned, you can click on Inline 111km St Gallen.


Inline 111 (St Gallen) start- photo from Dorota G.


Inline 111 (St Gallen) podium- photo from Dorota G.

Click here for pictures from the Hayward Inline Marathon. While we're at it with pictures posted on the Inline Planet, click here for pictures from the San Francisco Inline Marathon


Hayward Inline Marathon- photo posted on the Inline Planet and by Darlene Prois

St-Paul Inline Marathon results can be found here. Good 'ol Canadian beast Steve Robillard won the race in the pro men's category. InlinePics.com has pictures from the St Paul Inline Marathon. Andrew Love wrote a nice report about St Paul; see St. Paul Swim. Click here for the St Paul report on the Inline Planet. Here's a nice forum entry; Shout Out to the St Paul Pro Racer....


St Paul Inline Marathon- photo by InlinePics.com

Monday, August 27, 2007

Still In Cali- Final Entry

Still In Cali: In case anyone is curious, I am still in Cali. Apart sleeping in, walking about, checking out the track, and eating at small restaurants, things have been pretty quiet since the party. The party you ask? How'd did it go? What's the gossip? Hehehehe or jajajajaja (in Spanish).

Morgane, Martine, and I leave tomorrow. Once I arrive back home, I'l try to get SSW back on its feet and put on the long list of updates that I've been sitting on for the last couple of weeks.

Here are some final links that you may find that you really enjoy; The Inline Planet's Day-by-Day, Jim Larson's Joey Mantia thread, Roller En Ligne's reports on the 20km elimination & 200's (road), the full set of photos from MundoPatin, all the photos (1570) from daunegnc (lots of good stuff in this one!), Linda Wood's world blog which includes a note about the 8 world records that were set in these championships (I read about the records in the paper yesterday morning), pictures from the Federacion Colombiana de Patinaje, more Roller En Ligne reports; marathon, relays, a USARS worlds update (you can find more- they've got a bunch), many reports from the FFRS- Road day 3, Road day 2, Road day 1, Track day 3, Track day 2, and Track day 1, and finally 639 photos from FFRS, , ,


Senior men's marathon- photo from FFRS


Colombia; Junior women's road relay champions- photo from Federacion Colombiana de Patinaje

The 2007 world championships in Cali, Colombia were an experience like none-other. Thanks for stopping by SSW- thanks for making SSW your world championships home, and we'll see you once I start updating the site once again-


This is what a world championships track looks like a few days after worlds- work crews are methodically taking things apart


The competition venue


Shopping around earlier today- there was a whole La Muneca display at a supermarket with skaters, skate bags, and the whole deal

Saturday, August 25, 2007

2007 World Roller Speed Skating Championships, Cali, Colombia

2007 World Roller Speed Skating Championships, Cali, Colombia: I participated in the 2007 world roller speed skating championships. The event took place in Cali, Colombia. During the competition, I posted updates on a daily basis. The updates included reports, links, videos, and pictures.

Below are the links to my daily udpates;
  • Still In Cali- Final Entry

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #25

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #24

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #23

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #22

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #21

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #20

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #19

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #18

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #17

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #16

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #15

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #14

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #13

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #12

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #11

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #10

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #9

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #8

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #7

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #6

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #5

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #4

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #3

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #2

  • SSW From Cali- Entry #1


  • Here are many websites that have additional information;
  • Offical World Champs Site

  • PatinCarrera World's Coverage

  • PatinCarrera Live Coverage (Results, Photos, Videos)

  • World Champs Cali All News- Forum

  • Gravity Research- Gavin Pollock

  • Cado Motus World's Coverage

  • InlineNews.de Cali

  • Roller En Ligne's World's Coverage

  • Roller TV's Videos- live streaming of races

  • Mundo Patin's World's Coverage- photos, results, news

  • Linda Wood's World Championships Blog

  • Team Des- Colombia Worlds 2007


  • The following are links to my videos;
    August 24th 2007- relays
    August 23rd 2007- 20km's & 500m's
    August 22nd 2007- 200-meter finals
    August 22nd 2007- 10km points
    August 20th 2007- 500m's & relays
    August 19th 2007- 15km pts/ elim, 1000m's, & 300m's
    August 18th 2007- 10km points
    August 17th 2007- opening ceremonies
    August 10th-16th 2007- around Cali & training

    The videos are embeded below-








    From Cali- Entry #25

    Here is a Cali quickie for you.

    As you probably already know, the marathon took place earlier today. Form the Canadian side, there were no tales or heroism or let downs; we all skated just about where we should have.

    I’ve got to say the very few things in inline skating can top the atmosphere in the town where the marathon started. There were thousands of people lined km upon km just to see each pack skate by one time. That’s it.

    Before the start, many of the senior men were getting pictures taken, clapping hands, and signing autographs for the fans who let us in their city and came out to watch for us. It was a nice gesture for everyone.

    The marathon course was tough- it made many of us suffer and many of the top skaters drop out. As I came across the finish line for the first of 3 times barely hanging on to the pack, I was surprised to see how many good skaters had dropped out.

    While the senior men were waiting in a sort of place that I can’t describe, they had the racing on television, and we could see that the junior men had caught the junior women and the top junior women were mixed into the pack with the guys. I saw on the results that Italy came 1st and 2nd. You can find some marathon results here and some awesome marathon photos here.


    USa's Joey Mantia wins the senior varones (men) marathon, taking home his 6th? 7th? gold medal of these world championships- Mantia or Hedrick- you weight in- photo from PatinCarrera

    What surprised me the most though was that the entire senior women’s Korean team dropped out really early in the race. The junior men and women and senior women raced in wet conditions while the senior men had to deal with severe dust early on and a few fallen skater through town as well as the odd puddle here and there-

    The marathon finished at a British school and there was a pool- many of us jumped in with our skins suits or our boxers while the big crowd had taken over the streets.

    Oh, and for the skin suit market, I traded for a Venezuela skin suit and for one from Guatemala.

    The best thing about today's marathon is that it actually ran on time and we got to the hotel early enough to eat and have a nap! So, tonight The party and everyone is currently getting ready! Everyone’s going to the banquet and everyone is going out to the club afterwards.


    Junior women's marathon on tv...


    ...while the senior men (and this coach from Cuba) wait...


    ...and watch with interest...


    ...that's me...


    ...and they watch


    Outside near the starting line- thousands upon thousands of people lined the street for one single short glipse of the world's best skaters


    After the marathon- this was sort of like a market; skin suits and clothing and equipment changed hands over and over again


    Outside near the finish line- again, large crowds had garthered


    Some of the Colombia team


    One of these chased Mister Taylor

    From Cali- Entry #24

    From Cali- Entry #24: It's early in the morning and the rain is coming down. I don't think I will regret having purchased the MPC Storm Surge wheels last night at the track.

    Yesterday's video featuring relay finals; or press play below-

    From Cali- Entry #23

    From Cali- Entry #23: Oh man oh man, there's always a ton that's taking place at the world championships, and I can only communicate a fraction of my experiences and of what I learn through SSW.

    First the relays were great to watch- in the junior women, the racing action was intense early on as 4 of the 6 countries fell, and Germany was out in front. They were caught and finished a little behind while Colombia took over and won the race.

    USA struck double gold with the senior relays in high speed finishes that came down to hawks. It was great racing action to witness. It was nice to see the women's senior team from Argentina finally earn a medal during these championships- bronze in the relay. They seemed super happy. Somehow, I don't blame them. I think if won a medal, I'd be, well, you'd know how I would feel!

    The marathon is set to take place tomorrow. Sergio and I took a taxi and drove the route and video taped the marathon course for the rest of the Canadian team. The route is fairly simple- it's about 3km's in a city with 40 thousand people- narrow streets lined with old shops. The course then winds into the country after a few round-a-bouts and we skate a 16km look 2 1/2 times.

    The problem is that the roads will close early and the start line and finish lines are about 10km apart. The bus is picking the team up at 6am and will be at the start line for 7am. The bus will then take the coaches and managers and athlete's bags back to the start line. Seeing that the junior women are supposed to start at 8am, it's probably ok that they don't have their bags. But the senior men are set to start at 11:45- that means they (we) will spend the better part of 5 hours without shoes, skate bags, shirts, or anything that we need...

    In light of that, Sergio and I are not getting up at 5am; we are sleeping until 8am and taking a taxi at about 9am. The plan is to arrive at the finish line by 10am, give our skate bags to Mister Taylor, our team manager, and then skate to the start line as a warm up.

    I think that after the maraton, I will try to trade my skin suits. I already have Mexico's Alan Coronado's suit lined up. I am trying to trick the skaters from Holland into trading with me, but they are not allowed to trade. I also want a France suit and a Chile suit, but it's the same deal; the suits are either new or owned by the federations. Alex D'mello traded suits with Boaz, the skater from Israel. I was thinking of lining up that trade, but Alex beat me to the punch.

    To be honest with you, I have a feeling that the marathon will get under way later than planned. Chances are we'll get back to the hotel fairly late and then we'll rush off to the party/ banquet, so I can't commit to getting updates on SSW. I can't promise that I'll have any pictures either.

    So after the marathon, we will fiesta! Errr, party! Most of the Canadian team is leaving on the 26th at 4:30am (that's the night/ morning of the party- poor them).


    Mister Taylor giving Leah Kaluta and Morgane Echardour last minute instructions before the relays


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Canada in the mix


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Canada's Leah Kaluta in the mix


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Morgane Echardour coming out for the exchange


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Martine Charbonneau hanging tight


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Morgane Echardour keeping pace


    Senior women's relay heat #1- Leah Kaluta


    Senior men's relay


    Senior men's relay


    Martine Charbonneau and Morgane Echardour


    That's me buying a music instrument for my music teaching


    Dogs everywhere!


    Sergio Almeralla and two of our friendly guards


    This truck was filled with hundreds of bottles


    Outskirts of Cali


    Outskirts of Cali


    Part of the marathon course


    A horse on the marathon course


    The marathon course...


    ...more of the marathon course


    Strange animals along the marathon course


    Extreme close up of the marathon course


    Our dear taxi driver Luis, Sergio (in the back seat) and I


    La Muneca has skating posters all over the place. For dinner tonight, I made myself some Cecelia Baena pasta!


    Alex Bont and the 3D foot scanner- testing it on Wayne Begg's foot. I cannot explain the strange images of Wayne's foot that were popping up on the screen- some images were missing toes, and in other scans, his toes were way up


    Junior women's relay final


    Junior men's relay final


    USA


    Mystico and I- I think Senior Loco will beat Mystico at the wrestling match during tomorrow's banquet. Senior Loco has been training all year. I know him, and he hates Mexico's Mystico


    Senior women's relay final


    This man was selling slideboards. I bought one


    Bont's machine that scans the feet- Bont has had a nightmarish time geting this machine into Colombia and then getting it working. Word on the track is that the machine will be in Duluth for the Northshore Inline Marathon!