LS908460.A27 Liza
NEW LOCATION 1702 8TH ST & LOUISE
Volume 11, Issue 4, Week of January 27, 2014
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
Todd McClements will coach four speed skaters at the Olympics (Photo by Louis Christ)
C
Saskatoon coach fast tracks to the Olympics
oach Todd McCle“Skating runs in the family,” ments and skaters said McClements on the telephone Kali Christ, Marsha from the Olympic Oval at Calgary. Hudey, Lucas Makowsky “My grandfather was a skater. My and Will Dutton are giving dad, Jim, was a skater and for 40 Saskatchewan its bestyears has been an official, much of ever representation on it at an international level. He offithe 17-member Canadian ciated at the 2002 Olympic Games Olympic long-track speedand he’s worked in probably 20 or skating team next month in more world championship events.” Sochi, Russia. McClements, 28, had Olympic McClements, who first dreams in 2002. People put on skates when he was “I hurt my knee early in the three years old and parseason, but at best I was probably a ticipated in Saskatoon Lions Club events long shot to make the team. Then I turned when he was five, is going to the Olympics to coaching.” for the first time. McClements will be one of six Ca-
NED POWERS
nadian coaches at Sochi, having worked his way up the ladder from coaching the juniors and first-year skaters (2002-2005) to national developmental team coach (2006-2011) and into his current role. The excitment of coaching this team is the Saskatchewan company he’ll have with him in Sochi. “I’ve always been proud of the Saskatchewan history in speed skating and the depth of volunteer coaches. If you’ve grown up skating outdoors, sometimes in minus-40 weather, you know our skaters have learned to be tough.” One of the skaters under his wing is Kali Christ, a 22-year-old from Regina. A year ago she twice won silver medals in
NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY APPROVED • Open Late • Open 7 Days a Week • Warranty Approved Services • No Appointment Necessary
3330 8th St. E. • 705 22nd St. W. • 1204 Central Ave. • 802 Circle Dr. E. • 519 Nelson Road
team pursuit at the world championships and was fifth in the 1,500. Her qualifying time for the Olympics was nailed down the last week In December when she was second in the 1,000 metres with a time of one minute, 15.17 seconds. At Sochi she will probably skate the 1,000 metres, 1,500 metres and the team pursuit. “I like Kali’s preparation for a race, her execution, and it is all process-driven. Everything for Kali has progressed this season a lot faster than we believed. She has given herself a good chance to be a medallist at Sochi.” Hudie, 23, punched her ticket to the (Continued on page 4)
SAVE $5
On Any Oil Change Package
Valid at all Saskatoon locations. Starting at $52.99 with coupon for most vehicles Plus taxes and enviro charge. Present coupon. Not valid with any other discounts. Exp. Feb 10, 2014