Sport Shorts: Summer Season Heats Up
Alberta Domination: A number of new records were posted over the weekend at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and World Trials in Calgary. Shot put ace Dylan Armstrong (Kamloops, B.C.), broke his own Canadian record and set the new 2011 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) mark with a world-best throw at 22.21 metres. Benjamin Thorne (kitimat, B.C.) improved upon the Canadian junior race walk record clocking in at 41:34. Other highlights included Olympians Jessica Zelinka, Jared Connaughton, Scott Russell, Perdita Felicien, Bryan Barnett, and Nathan Brennan all reaching the podium. For more results go to: www.athletics.ca/Calgary2011/
Inaugural Inductees: Following the conclusion of the National Track and Field Championships in Calgary, Athletics Canada named its first Hall of Fame class. The list includes athletes Donovan Bailey, Debbie Brill, Bill Crothers, Greg Joy and Mark McKoy – all of whom are Olympic medallists. Diane and Doug Clement will join the class of 2011 after contributing to the sport as Olympians, administrators and builders, as will Gerard Mach – Canada’s first professional track coach of sprints, hurdles and relays – and Ethel Catherwood, André Viger and Percy Williams in memoriam.
On the Mats: Canadian women are coming home from the Judo World Cup in Sao Paolo, Brasil, with a trio of medals. Kelita Zupancic won silver in the -70 kg event, while Amy Cotton and Marylise Levesque both claimed bronze in the -78 kg Sunday.
In the Water: Several Canadian rowing crews looked strong over the weekend at the Holland Beker Regatta. Dave Calder (Victoria, B.C.) and Scott Frandsen (Kelowna, B.C.) won the men’s pair 2,000 m event for the second straight day in a time of 6:26.19. The women’s pairs were even better, claiming both second and third places in their final. Carolyn Ganes (Saskatoon, SK) and Larissa Lagzdins (Burlington, ON), won the silver in 07:14.25 and Jane Rumball (Fredericton, NB) and Sarah Bonikowsky (Orangeville, ON) took bronze in 07:16.01. The men’s four and women’s eight teams also each finished second in their respective races.
Road Warriors: A couple of first-ever winners stole the show at the 2011 Immunity-FX Canadian Road Championships. Svein Tuft (Langley, B.C.) won a national title in the road race for the first time, completing the 14 laps, 12.8 km loop in 4:32:09. On the women’s side, five-time Olympic medallist and 2010 Olympic flag bearer Clara Hughes won the time trial ahead of omnium world champion Tara Whitten in a time of 30:25. Veronique Fortin (St-George de Beauce, QC) also stepped onto the top of the podium, winning her first Canadian championship in the elite road race. Her time for the 8-lap, 103-kilometre route was 3:04:09. For complete results go to: www.canadian-cycling.com
