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June 3, 2006
Canadian news update
The news of Guy Thibault's departure as Canada's head ST coach has hit the press:
Canadian Press | Short-track head coach Guy Thibault let go
Speed Skating Canada boss Jean Dupre said a team of four coaches will run the squad, but there would be no head coach. "When you change the direction of a program that drastically, sometimes it's necessary to replace certain people," Dupre said.
Since short track rumors often prove true, don't be surprised if news comes soon that Derrick Campbell is leaving USS to return north. Eric Bedard, who has coaching experience, is also rumored to be under consideration for one of the 4 coaching positions up north.
Then again, the Francophone press also has Francois-Louis Tremblay paying homage to Apolo Ohno, in a premature report that Apolo has retired.
In a French-language article, Bedard says of Thibault: "I learned a lot from him. He taught how to win and how to lose," and he credits Thibault with his return to the top last season.
As previously noted, Yves Hamelin -- father of skaters Charles and Francois and head coach of the Montreal International club -- has been named director of the short track program for Speed Skating Canada.
Posted by noelle at 10:44 AM | Comments (33)
May 31, 2006
New video clip: Apolo's 500m heat from Hangzhou
Thanks to Maggie and Sonia for providing some new skating action during the dry season. Here's a clip from Apolo's 500m heat at 2005-06 World Cup #1 in Hangzhou, CHN.
Posted by noelle at 8:40 PM | Comments (11)
Thanks to Sue for this article link!
Jerry Battiste/Flyer photo
Terre Haute (IN) Tribune Star | Pursuing a dream
Anton Peterson shares a name with Olympic speedskating champion, Apolo Anton Ohno, and dreams one day of competing beside him. Or possibly against him.
“I never brag unless I know I am competing against somebody way better than me,†Anton said. “When I met Apolo I told him, ‘I want your medals’ and he said, ‘Come and get them.’â€
Posted by noelle at 8:34 PM | Comments (21)
May 30, 2006
YAY! Comment 'Remember Me' finally works!
Just wanted to let everyone know that after way too long, you will no longer need to re-enter your name and email addy every time you post a comment on OZ.
I finally found time to figure out how to fix the code so that OZ remembers your info and fills it in for you automatically (assuming you're posting from the same computer). Just check the Yes button next to "Remember Me?" next time you post a comment. This works for comment preview now as well (which used to load the index page).
Thanks for putting up with this all these months! :)
Posted by noelle at 8:15 PM | Comments (40)
May 29, 2006
Canadian news, part 1
updated 6/1 Also reported on Eric Bedard's blog is the news that Yves Hamelin, head coach of the Montreal International club (and father of skaters Charles and Francois) has been named director of the short track program for Speed Skating Canada. Congratulations!
Stunning news from up north: Long-time national coach Guy Thibault is out as head coach for team Canada after Speed Skating Canada decided not to renew his contract (originally reported on Eric Bédard's blog). Canada is said to be planning a new coaching format, with 4 coaches total (2 for the men, 2 for the women) who will be overseen by a sport director.
So far, assistant coaches Martin Gagné and Janos Englert will return, but there is no word on who will fill the remaining coaching positions. Speculation is rampant that current U.S. Short Track Managing Director Derrick Campbell may well be one of them. Derrick has reportedly been weighing his options but has yet to announce a decision.
Right now Team USA is coachless and losing Derrick would be a further blow to the program. No word if Guy likes to live dangerously enough to consider filling one of the vacancies south of the border!
Posted by noelle at 9:47 PM | Comments (21)
Canadian news, part 2
Fredericton, New Brunswick (whose club produced Stephen Gough and Jeff Scholten) is building several new ice surfaces but has cancelled plans to build an Olympic-size one when no sports except for speed skating expressed interest in such a facility.
While the Olympic-size ice surface wouldn't prevent other sports from using the facility, the lack of such a surface does prevent the youth of the region from practicing short track in a safe environment and poses a significant hurdle in the development of elite skaters and the sport in general. Supporters hope to persuade the city to reverse its decision and they welcome any constructive suggestions you may have to help them make their case. Please send suggestions to stephen@bont.com...
Posted by noelle at 9:28 PM | Comments (52)