By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The scene at the start line for cross country ski provincials. |
In both
Nordic skiing and speed skating, the chase for medals hit its peak time. Skiers
and speed skaters were busy training before departing for championship events
or major meets.
The
Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club got to host the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country
Ski Championships on our grounds this past February 11 and 12. Skiers from all
corners of the province made it to the trails that run across Glenn Reeve
Fields looking to capture provincials medals. The action made for long and
fulfilling days for race staff the oversaw the event.
Our lead
photo from February 11 shows a busy start line for a race for skiers in a
youthful age group. While a young skier takes off to take on the course, you
can see three race officials with clipboards are present to ensure everything
runs in an orderly fashion.
The
Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club held their final practices at the Clarence
Downey Speed Skating Oval to prepare for the last major long track races of the
season. A number of Lions skaters attended the Canada Winter Games, which ran
from February 18 to March 5 across Prince Edward Island with long track speed
skating taking place at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S. The speed skating
portion ran from February 18 to 25.
The Clarence
Oval Downey Speed Skating would close for the season this past March 2 after
providing many great speed skating and public skating sessions.
At the
Indoor Training Centre, athletes continued to train for sports that take place
in the spring, summer and fall. As February came to an end and the calendar
flipped over to March, some sports groups started to hold sessions for player
evaluations.
These photos
capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo
roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in
Darren Steinke.
Without
further ado, here is a selection of 12 shots we hope you enjoy.
Finding the perfect pace
A skier focuses on a good start by setting a sound pace at the beginning of her race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields.
Downhill speed
A skier jets down the side of a hill during a race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields. Cross country ski races have many different dimensions, and for short spurts, athletes become downhill skiers.
Rounding the bend
A skier rounds a corner during a race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields. This curved part of the track runs beside one of the outfield fences for one of the softball diamonds. You can see an outfield fence distance marker on the left side of the picture.
Paying attention to details
Jason Warick, who is one of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club coaches, stands off to the left side of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval while giving pointers to young speed skaters on February 14. The Lions have a number of stellar coaches working with athletes at various age groups.
Firing off the throw to first
An infielder at a Saskatoon Giants training session fires off a throw to first base on February 16 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants are putting in preparation work for the upcoming Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League season.
Family Day fun
A pair of skaters enjoy the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval during an extended public skating session held on Family Day on February 20. Public skating sessions were popular at the Oval again this winter season. The Oval closed for the season on March 2.
Bringing the heat
A young pitcher sets to deliver a heater during a training session for Baseball Sask’s female program on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Baseball Sask delivers good programs for female players.
Getting cornered
A running back gets boxed in by a trio of defenders during a Saskatoon Valkyries training session on February 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Valkyries will be in search of their eighth WWCFL title this coming season.
No rest for the driven
After returning from the Canada Winter Games that were held in Prince Edward Island with long track speed skating taking place at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S., Melissa Scutchings was back skating at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 28 with a small group of her Saskatchewan Lions Speed Skating Club teammates. Scutchings and her teammates worked on continued improvement while reflecting on the multi-sport experience they just took part in.
Aiming to impress
An infielder uses perfect form to field a ball and make a throw to first base during a Saskatoon Selects player evaluations session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Selects will use the evaluations they collect at this session to help with roster decisions for the upcoming softball season.
Sweet stroke
A hitter works on her form during a Hitting Factory session run by the 222’s Fastpitch program on March 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players taking part in Hitting Factory sessions focus on mechanics, mental skills and situational strategies of hitting.
Coming right at you
A hitter drives the ball into the net hard at Hitting Factory session run by the 222’s Fastpitch program on March 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. The athletes taking part in these sessions get more efficient at the skill of hitting.
