This past Saturday saw the running of the New South Wales Open Short Track Championships which was the warm up for this coming weekend's Australian Open Short Track Championships. I have attached the links to the Masters 1000m and 1500m finals video on WMST YouTube site. Unfortunately, I was unable to film the 500m or 3000m finals.
There were six Masters men entered for the competition which was won by Jim Lynch after a couple of years hiatus from competition. Jim is looking fit, and I'm sure he hasn't entered the nationals to be an 'also ran'.
I do not have the protocol at this point in time but I am sure that several of the 60+ National and New South Wales masters records were broken by Jim.
I competed in the Senior men division to boost the numbers and try and keep the young ones honest, and in the process broke 2 national masters records and set 3 New South Wales Open masters records; even after getting hit by a car the previous weekend, so I was reasonably happy with those results.
There are 12 Masters entered for this weekends Nationals, so it should bring out some good racing with Herbie Labiche attempting to back up with consecutive national titles. Michael Attwood and myself will be making Herbie work if he wants that national title again this year, and I'm sure the presence of Jim Lynch will also make an impact.
Good luck to all the skaters for the Nationals. I will be sure to post as many videos and results as soon as they become available.
Frank
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Saved by the Helmet
I have always tried to make this site a commentary about Masters Short Track and I rarely comment about my own experiences, but today, I felt compelled to write a little about a recent Sunday experience.
I have been involved in skating and cycling for almost 25 years (less than some, more than others) and I have had my fair share of mishaps. I have always worn a helmet, even before it was law to do so in Australia. In my former role as a police officer, I had the unfortunate experience of attending two fatal 'cyclist vs motor vehicle' crashes. On each occasion, neither cyclist was wearing a helmet, but also, on each occasion, it had been through driver inattention that lives were lost.
Although I have had encounters with errant drivers whilst riding my bicycle in the past, this past Sunday really blew me away with the total disregard that some motorists have with other road users in Australia (whether cyclists or other drivers).
I had just completed a light 30km ride in Centennial Park in Sydney and was riding home when I started through an intersection on the green light. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a black 4WD coming from my left and I could tell that they were not going to be able to stop for their red light. I always look left and right going through intersections - a legacy of my pursuit training.
I managed to brake hard and the black 4WD commenced a full brake lock up and I was hit at about 40-50kmh with the front right quarter panel of this car, sending me and the bike flying into the middle of the intersection. (I can't repeat the exact words that I yelled - it may be illegal). I felt my head hit the road hard, along with sliding along bare bitumen, just to let me know I could still feel pain!
I scrambled out of the intersection and onto the kerb where a few people had come to assist me. I did the regular pat down and slow movements to ensure no limbs were pointing in the wrong direction, and was slightly relieved to feel pain in my legs and left knee, indicating that the pelvis pain may not have been serious.
All I could think of was "Two weeks to Nationals and this happens!"
Anyway, the point of the story is that later that night, I inspected my helmet, and what had not been initially obvious was that where my head had hit the bitumen, the helmet had cracked straight across the side and top of the helmet, obviously spreading the impact of it to save my head, and probably my life.
A $300 helmet - worth the expense????? I say 'HELL YEAH!' I had that helmet for 8 years - that's $37.50 a year - and the manufacturer is replacing it with a 40% discount off the new helmet.
So anyone who thinks not wearing a helmet is cool, all I say is that being dead would surely be less cool than wearing a helmet.
By the way, the driver's excuse - She was in a hurry to get home to her husband who really didn't like her being away from home and their kids because he doesn't cope with them all that well. PLEASE! I thought as a police officer, I had heard all of the excuses going!!!
Anyway, I'm still in pain, but it looks like I will still be able to skate the New South Wales and Australian Championships. Back on the ice tomorrow morning!
Keep wearing those helmets people, some of these manufacturer's have got it right.
Frank
I have been involved in skating and cycling for almost 25 years (less than some, more than others) and I have had my fair share of mishaps. I have always worn a helmet, even before it was law to do so in Australia. In my former role as a police officer, I had the unfortunate experience of attending two fatal 'cyclist vs motor vehicle' crashes. On each occasion, neither cyclist was wearing a helmet, but also, on each occasion, it had been through driver inattention that lives were lost.
Although I have had encounters with errant drivers whilst riding my bicycle in the past, this past Sunday really blew me away with the total disregard that some motorists have with other road users in Australia (whether cyclists or other drivers).
I had just completed a light 30km ride in Centennial Park in Sydney and was riding home when I started through an intersection on the green light. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a black 4WD coming from my left and I could tell that they were not going to be able to stop for their red light. I always look left and right going through intersections - a legacy of my pursuit training.
I managed to brake hard and the black 4WD commenced a full brake lock up and I was hit at about 40-50kmh with the front right quarter panel of this car, sending me and the bike flying into the middle of the intersection. (I can't repeat the exact words that I yelled - it may be illegal). I felt my head hit the road hard, along with sliding along bare bitumen, just to let me know I could still feel pain!
I scrambled out of the intersection and onto the kerb where a few people had come to assist me. I did the regular pat down and slow movements to ensure no limbs were pointing in the wrong direction, and was slightly relieved to feel pain in my legs and left knee, indicating that the pelvis pain may not have been serious.
All I could think of was "Two weeks to Nationals and this happens!"
Anyway, the point of the story is that later that night, I inspected my helmet, and what had not been initially obvious was that where my head had hit the bitumen, the helmet had cracked straight across the side and top of the helmet, obviously spreading the impact of it to save my head, and probably my life.
A $300 helmet - worth the expense????? I say 'HELL YEAH!' I had that helmet for 8 years - that's $37.50 a year - and the manufacturer is replacing it with a 40% discount off the new helmet.
So anyone who thinks not wearing a helmet is cool, all I say is that being dead would surely be less cool than wearing a helmet.
By the way, the driver's excuse - She was in a hurry to get home to her husband who really didn't like her being away from home and their kids because he doesn't cope with them all that well. PLEASE! I thought as a police officer, I had heard all of the excuses going!!!
Anyway, I'm still in pain, but it looks like I will still be able to skate the New South Wales and Australian Championships. Back on the ice tomorrow morning!
Keep wearing those helmets people, some of these manufacturer's have got it right.
Frank
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Australian Championships Update
I have received some mixed information about the competitors list for the upcoming Australian National Championships to be held in Sydney in two weekends, but I am led to believe that there is at least 7-8 entered.
I can confirm that both Jim Lynch and Harry Spragg will be competing in the Masters category, and both will be competing for the Vikings Speed Skating Club, which is entering a Masters relay team. As of yesterday, the Brisbane based Roos club has confirmed that they will also be entering a Masters relay team as well. There will also be two Ladies competing this year in Mary-Anne Reece and Alison Throssell, which is fantastic to see.
I am sure that many of you will be eagerly awaiting the results - I am expecting Jim to break a couple of the current 60+ National records (which he has already done in the 500m this season - 54.01 sec) and to give the current (unofficial) world 500m record a jolt as well. For those of you who are not aware, Jim and Harry were the 1978 World Champion and Runner-up.
I skated on the ice at Baulkham Hills last night and it felt very quick, so hopefully there will be a few National records broken across all divisions, both for the New South Wales and Australian Championships.
I will provide a comprehensive round-up of the New South Wales championships after next weekend.
Good Luck to all competitors.
Frank
I can confirm that both Jim Lynch and Harry Spragg will be competing in the Masters category, and both will be competing for the Vikings Speed Skating Club, which is entering a Masters relay team. As of yesterday, the Brisbane based Roos club has confirmed that they will also be entering a Masters relay team as well. There will also be two Ladies competing this year in Mary-Anne Reece and Alison Throssell, which is fantastic to see.
I am sure that many of you will be eagerly awaiting the results - I am expecting Jim to break a couple of the current 60+ National records (which he has already done in the 500m this season - 54.01 sec) and to give the current (unofficial) world 500m record a jolt as well. For those of you who are not aware, Jim and Harry were the 1978 World Champion and Runner-up.
I skated on the ice at Baulkham Hills last night and it felt very quick, so hopefully there will be a few National records broken across all divisions, both for the New South Wales and Australian Championships.
I will provide a comprehensive round-up of the New South Wales championships after next weekend.
Good Luck to all competitors.
Frank
Friday, September 5, 2008
Australian Division Name Change
Whilst at the Duke Trophy held in Brisbane in July, I approached the president of the Queensland IRA and requested that a submission be be made on my behalf at the AGM of Australian Ice Racing, that consideration be given to renaming the 'Veterans' division in Australia to 'Masters' division.
This was accepted and it now brings Australia into line with most other countries, and I believe it better reflects and promotes the participation of skaters who have reached the age of 30, but are not inspired by being referred to as 'Veterans'.
A simple change, but one I hope will promote the division here in Australia.
This was accepted and it now brings Australia into line with most other countries, and I believe it better reflects and promotes the participation of skaters who have reached the age of 30, but are not inspired by being referred to as 'Veterans'.
A simple change, but one I hope will promote the division here in Australia.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
National Masters Short Track Records
Can you help? I am trying to source any national records lists for the masters category around the world.
I have been unable to locate any masters records for New Zealand and most European countries (except GB and Italy).
If you can help me in locating any of these records, it would be much appreciated as I have had queries about posting these records on this site,
Regards
Frank
email: thenewbordersecurity@aapt.net.au or frankanderson@aapt.net.au
I have been unable to locate any masters records for New Zealand and most European countries (except GB and Italy).
If you can help me in locating any of these records, it would be much appreciated as I have had queries about posting these records on this site,
Regards
Frank
email: thenewbordersecurity@aapt.net.au or frankanderson@aapt.net.au
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