HARDWOOD
SKI & BIKE EXCITED TO HOST
ONTARIO
MASTERS IN 2018
This event is a
partnership between Hardwood Ski & Bike, Team Hardwood Masters and Pulse
Racing.
The event will be held
in conjunction with the Fischer Loppet and Nordikids races to allow for
families to take part and encourage new members. With the large network
of trails at Hardwood, we plan to change courses each day, being tailored to
the technique and distance.
Schedule of races are:
Friday March 2
2:30 pm - 10 km Classic
5:30 pm - Ontario Masters AGM and social
Saturday March 3
9:00 am - 20 km Skate
9:30 am - 20 km Classic
5:30 pm - Ontario Masters Banquet and awards
Sunday March 4
10:00 am - 10 km Skate
Friday March 2
2:30 pm - 10 km Classic
5:30 pm - Ontario Masters AGM and social
Saturday March 3
9:00 am - 20 km Skate
9:30 am - 20 km Classic
5:30 pm - Ontario Masters Banquet and awards
Sunday March 4
10:00 am - 10 km Skate
The AGM/Social on
Friday evening, and the Ontario Masters Banquet on Saturday, will take place at
Hardwood.
There are numerous
accommodation options in Barrie, Orillia, Oro-Medonte B&B’s, as well as
condos at Horseshoe Resort. With all events at Hardwood, we do not have a
specific accommodation partner, but allow you to make your own personal choice.
We encourage you all to
attend! It should be a very fun event, varied courses, and great time of year
for ski conditions.
We also welcome any
volunteers for any or all part of the event.
Information and
Registration now open at https://zone4.ca/reg.asp?id=15045
Please feel free to
contact myself with questions or if interested in helping glenn@pulseracing.ca
CANADIAN
MASTERS 2018
The Canadian
Master Championships will be held in conjunction with the World Masters in
Minneapolis, Jan 19 – 26, 2018. There will be further information from our
National Director in the National Fall newsletter.
MWC
2018 – MINNEAPOLIS, USA
As mentioned above, the MWC for 2018 will
be January 19 – 26, 2018. You can register and find out information on the
website http://www.loppet.org/mwc2018/
Please find attached an update regarding
registration and accommodation from Bruce!
ONTARIO
LOPPETS 2017 – 18
We will be
continuing with our Loppet Points Series for 2018. We will have further details in our November
issue of the newsletter. Preliminary
date for some of the key loppets for 2018 are:
Yuletide Blast December 16, 2017
Canadian/World
Masters Jan 19 – 26, 2018
Muskoka Loppet January 28, 2018
Gatineau Loppet February 17, 18, 2018
Sounder Ski
Tour February 25, 2018
Ontario Masters March
2 - 4, 2018
Leprechaun
Loppet March 17, 2018
We will have a
more complete listing of the 2018 Ontario Loppets in the November newsletter. Please send any ideas or comments to Russ
Evans revans@cogeco.ca.
MEMBERSHIP
Please find
attached the membership form for Ontario/Canadian Masters for 2017-18. You can also register online at https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=16320
. Please send any snail mail
registration to:
Russ Evans,
24 Cortina Cres, Hamilton, ON L8K 4K4.
Please make sure to have any cheques made out to Canadian Masters Cross
Country Ski Association..
CALL FOR REPLACEMENT(S)
As indicated at our 2017 AGM, Russ Evans
would like to step down as Ontario Director. Russ’ role has involved 2 parts,
Membership and Loppet Point Series. This could be taken over by one person, or
split into 2 jobs. Russ is happy to help with any training and transition.
Please contact Russ revans@cogeco.ca.and
I wendy@blackfeather.com if you are
interested in one or both of the positions.
I’d like to thank and recognize the years
of dedicated work that Russ has given the organization. Thank you.
A TRIBUTE TO IAN MCQUEEN
We are saddened to
announce the passing of a great skiing buddy and Ontario Master, Ian McQueen.
Here is a moving tribute from his friend, Carmel Smyth.
RIP Ian McQueen - Lifelong fitness buff and
generous friend gone mid-stride
(He died doing what he
loved, competing in a triathlon –Guelph Lake Tri 11, on Saturday, Sept 2)
Ian was a gregarious,
charming Scot, who after years in Canada never lost his distinctive brogue.
He worked for the
provincial ministry of transport, but he was a man defined by his passions not
his position.
A gifted athlete
he started as a competitive motocross racer, something he always blamed for his
joint and hip trouble later in life.
When he came to Canada
he dropped the motorized bikes and took up running. He joined Toronto’s
Longboat running club. He fit right in, as devoted as any compulsive
runner, and was thrilled to make his marathon goal, a PB of under 3 hours.
Next came
X-country skiing. He delighted in fighting the frostbite and pain
through 50km ski races, including the famed, and feared Gatineau Loppet,
and internationally respected course.
Skiing mastered, Ian
turned to perhaps his greatest challenge. Overcoming his natural aversion
to water, he struggled to learn to swim. This opened the door to
triathlons, the endurance and the sprint versions, culminating in a grueling
Ironman, a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, then a 42 km run. Predictably even in
this multi-skill sport he excelled, regularly making the top 3 in his age
group.
When he wasn’t
“tri-ing”, he dabbled in mountain bike and cyclecross racing. And by
dabble I mean monitored diets, scheduled daily training sessions, racing
research, the latest gadgets and the same intense focus he attacked
everything else with.
Through it all Ian
earned a reputation as a compassionate competitor, willing to gift, loan or
share a pump, tire or wetsuit to anyone in need. He gave generously of his
time too, volunteering for many races so others could enjoy his sports. He
never complained. He never whined. He was a positive presence who brought
laughter and smiles to all of us he rolled or ran by.
Ian didn’t waste energy
savouring successes. He was always in motion. Always planning the
next challenge.
And often persuading
his good friend Brian Eley to compete with him, as he did on his last race
ever.
He was in fine form on Saturday,
Sept 2 at the Guelph Lake Tri 11. Grinning and geared up as always.
He did better than
expected in the 750 m swim, tore through the 30 km bike, and was on pace in
his
distinctive power-march
through the 7 km run when he collapsed. Doctors say his heart gave out
instantly. He was dead before he hit the ground.
He would have approved.
Not a moment of life wasted. Not a second of stillness.
He leaves behind his
partner Deborah dePass, younger brother Colin , nephew Craig , and too many
friends to name.
