Zen and the Art of Speedskating

The 16th Masters International speedskating games was one of the most fun events I have ever raced.

Actually, I’ve had a terrific time at ALL of the Masters international races I’ve done. Even while skating through blizzards in Inzell, the camaraderie & competition is wonderful. You can see the IMSSC website here.

There are some fast folks at these races, but the primary reason masters travel to these events, (against all societal conditioning) is the pure love (addiction?) of speedskating.

I shot this video from February 22nd – 25th, 2007, in Calgary. I put the video together while on the plane to Europe, and thought I would post it now, as this years schedule has just been released, (new this year are two North American metric events, an allaround in Calgary, and a sprint in Milwaukee, in addition to the long-running packstyle)

For a high quality quicktime, click here. Or for the youtube, click play.

It’s worth mentioning that the end of the video was shot at the massive post-race awards party, seeing so many Europeans line-dancing was awesome!

If you are younger than 30, you can look forward to this kind of fun. If you are already a master, let these amazing folks inspire you to challenge yourself. Seeing 60+ year olds tear up the ice get me psyched.

I strongly encourage “older & wiser” athletes to try and skate some of these races if you can. I’ve raced the Inzell event twice, as well as Hamar & Davos. It’s just tons of fun & incredible memories from the “world-cup for working folks”.

This year I’ll be in Erfurt & Milwaukee for sure, and will try to be at the Calgary event.

I’m the USA rep to the organization that runs these events, and am working to put together an American metric sprint race at the Pettit Center, January 5th & 6th. Working closely with the Canadian rep, we hope to have the Milwaukee and Calgary eventually recognized as the “North American Masters Metric Championships” as there seems to be increasing interest.

I will have the entry forms done soon, I’m just swamped…

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