USA MASTERS SHINE AT MASTERS WORLD SPRINT CHAMPS

The Calgary Olympic oval hosted the 13th Masters World Sprint Championships on January 21st and 22nd, and six U.S. masters took on skaters from eight other nations.

Barbara Johnson broke three Masters World Records, in the 500m, 1000m and Sprint Samalog, on her way to winning the Womens’ 70+. Dan Carney overcame the biggest field in the competition to win the Men’s 55+. Austin Carlson was 1st overall in the Men’s 30+, and the fastest skater in the meet, Andrew Love was 1st in the 50+, and Mark Yanagihara 3rd in the 45+. Joanna Walters took first in Women’s 75+, and held the honor of being the oldest woman competing at the meet.

Johnsons’ run of records and international race victories has been formidable the past few years, and her technique exceptional. About her success and longevity, she says “As you get older, you need to keep moving and challenging yourself; I hope by seeing me doing this, skaters will understand you can just keep going in this sport. Speed skating is a great combination of mental and physical skills, keeping both of those challenged is a good way to age well.”

Dan Carney and Austin Carlson have been training with Dave Cruickshank and Bonnie Blair in Wisconsin for the past three years; Dan has had a breakout year, and his success in the stacked 55+ field was remarkable.

“I’ve made a significant commitment to the sport, but more important that winning my age class- I cherish the opportunity to attend great events like this and make lifelong friendships with people who share a love for this maddening sport” commented Dan. All of the US Masters team, except Carlson, were veterans of this championship event. Austin had this to say about his first Masters international event, “I really enjoyed meeting skaters from all over the world. I am looking forward to attending more events and continuing my masters skating Journey."

 

Here is the full list of winners at the 13 Masters Speedskating games

Women

W35 NED Mijke Anne KANNEWORFF

W40 CAN Sarah HOPKINS

W55 JPN Junyu KOYANO

W60 NED Monique BOEREMA

W65 NED Carolien van REES

W70 USA Barb JOHNSON

W75 USA Joanna WALTERS

 

Men

M30 USA Austin CARLSON

M35 NED Mark REILING

M40 NED Bart SEFFINGA

M45 CAN Ian DWYER

M50 USA Andrew LOVE

M55 USA Dan CARNEY

M60 FIN Vesa VISTI

M65 NED Victor van den HOFF

M70 NOR Brynjulf MÅKESTAD

M75 NOR Onar WESTERHEIM

M80 CAN Werner MEYER

M85 NOR Arne Kjell FOLDVIK