Sport Shorts: Double Gold in Archer's First World Cup
Double Archery Gold: Last weekend, Canadian archers got off to an excellent start on the World Cup circuit. In Porec, Croatia, Ashley Wallace (Medicine Hat, Alta.) first won a gold medal in women’s compound. Then she teamed up with Deitmar Trillus (King City, Ont.) to capture another gold in the compound mixed team event. Trillus was 2007 world champion. For Wallace, it was a huge result in her first-ever World Cup appearance. To win the individual gold, she shot a perfect 10 in a shoot-off to decide the winner. Canada has yet to win an Olympic medal in archery.
Those Swiss: In Team Canada’s third game at the World Hockey Championships, they lost 4-1 to an aggressive squad from Switzerland. The Swiss continue to be a thorn for Canada in men’s hockey, upsetting them at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and taking the eventual 2010 gold medallists to overtime in Vancouver (Canada won). Interestingly, the Swiss team is now coached by Canadian Sean Simpson – who was head coach of Team Canada at the 2007 Spengler Cup. Canada is now 2-1 at the tournament.
Mark the Date: Figure skating fans, mark your calendar: The next national figure skating championships will land in Victoria, January 17-23, 2011. There, Canadian skaters will compete for the chance to perform at the 2011 World Championships.
Synchro Action This Weekend: Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon will represent Canada at the China Open synchronized swimming event this weekend in Zhangjiagang. The native of Rivière-du-Loup, Que. will look to continue a string of great results that includes a 2009 World Championship bronze medal, second place at the 2009 World Trophy and two gold medals last week at the Japan Open.
Alpine Coaching Change: Alpine coach John McBride will now take over the men’s speed team after joining the Canadian team last November and helping skiers win four World Cup gold medals. Meanwhile, Frank Kelbe is taking over the reins of the women’s team, after coaching the U.S. women’s speed team for five years. Dryland training has already begun for many ski racers in preparation for next season
Charles Francis: Charles Francis, a three-time Canadian champion in the 100 metres who competed at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, has passed away. His battle with lymphoma ended on May 12, 2010 at Sunnybrook Hospital in his native Toronto. His fastest time, 10.1 seconds, was posted in Vancouver during the 1971 Pan American Games trials. He went on to become a highly-regarded sprint coach but was involved in the 1988 doping scandal with Ben Johnson. The Canadian Olympic Team extends condolences to Charles’ family and friends.
