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October 12, 2006
Canadian team update
[update] For all you connaisseurs of Canada's national team skinsuits, this is for you. Here's the 06-07 collection.
Andrea Do-Duc, in the Montreal-International skinsuit, Annik Plamondon of the national team and Valérie Lambert from the development team
photo by Tuan Do-Duc
They're never boring, are they?
***
There has been a steady stream of short track-related news ... the latest is on Canada's short track team. I guess the season is really here! Like the U.S., Canada is sending a mix of veterans and new faces to this month's World Cups in China and South Korea:
Women: Amanda Overland, Anouk Leblanc-Boucher, Kalyna Roberge, Raphaele Lemieux, Anne Maltais and Nita Avrith
Anne Maltais, Nita Avrith, Raphaele Lemieux and Amanda Overland
Men: Steve Robillard, Francois-Louis Tremblay, Charles Hamelin, Matthieu Giroux, Marc-Andre Monette and Olivier Jean
Francois-Louis Tremblay, Olivier Jean, Marc-Andre Monette and Charles Hamelin
(photos by RYAN REMIORZ / CP)
Tania Vicent and Alanna Kraus are both sitting out the early part of the season with injuries (in Tania's case, a hip injury; in Alanna's tendonitis).
There's also a new article here: Short-track speed skaters already looking ahead to 2010 Games in Vancouver
"I'm anxious already and the way our seasons go, they fly by so fast, I look at it that it's not that far away," Amanda Overland said Thursday. "And come that Olympic year, we're skating earlier because the trials are earlier, we have to ready. It's right there for me, especially because it's in our own country."
I believe both the Canadian and U.S. teams depart for China tomorrow. Good luck and safe travels to all the skaters!
Posted by noelle at 9:14 PM | Comments (67)
October 11, 2006
Alex Izy update
Bay City Times | Izy back on track following injury
The bike crash, which left him with some stitches and a badly bruised right quad on July 10, might have been a blessing in disguise. It took the wind out of his sails.He knew he couldn't sit around and whine. He's back on ice ready to lead the U.S. charge. ''We will be competitive,'' said Izykowski. ''We still won a medal at the Worlds without Apolo or Rusty in the final.
''Our men's team is getting deeper in talent every year, almost with every competition. It's making it harder to make the World Cup and World Championship teams.
Go Izy!!
Posted by noelle at 1:55 PM | Comments (11)
October 10, 2006
Guy Thibault update
The French-Canadian press is taking note of the departure of Canada's former short track coach Guy Thibault to oversee the long and short track programs here in the U.S. Newpaper La Presse ran a detailed article with some interesting quotes and tidbits:
- Apolo Ohno, who was deeply involved in the search for a new short track coach, personally intervened to convince Thibault to apply for a position with USS... the following day, new executive director of USS Bob Crowley called Thibault and told him, 'You're our man. We need you.'
- Ten days ago, Thibault met with USOC officials and presented a four-year development plan for USS. They evidently received it (and Thibault) enthusiastically!
- Thibault is hopeful that Apolo will return, saying he's training now and although he won't be at the first 2 World Cups of the season, he's getting back into shape, is happy about where things are heading and is putting a plan in place for the next four years.
- Thibault will wait till next year to move to Salt Lake City. He doesn't want to disrupt the school year for his kids (13 and 16). Until then, he'll spend 1-2 weeks a month in the U.S. and will attend some of the World Cups.
I love this related piece from Radio-Canada because it uses a pic from OZ's coverage of American Cup 1.
Posted by noelle at 9:09 PM | Comments (17)