Humboldt Skaters Lead CWG Trials

Speed Skating Saskatchewan’s Olympic Sport

Humboldt Speed Skating Club



Tuesday, January 09, 2007
News Release for Immediate Release


Humboldt Speed Skaters Lead Winter Games Trials

(Calgary) Three Humboldt Speed Skaters are in the drivers seat after the Canada Winter Games trials at the Calgary Olympic Oval this weekend. The Humboldt team controls three out of a possible four men’s Canada Winter Games Long Track spots.

Nathan Bernhard, William Dutton and returning veteran Addison Thiel all skated personal best times in the Canada Cup 1 Canadian Junior Trials this weekend. Thiel sits second overall and has virtually sealed a spot by qualifying as the best long distance skater.

Bernhard sits third and Dutton fourth. Both have a solid lead over the fifth place competitor. Humboldt club co-coach Craig Dutton said “It is very, very uncommon for a club this small to win one spot let alone three. It won’t happen again for many years, maybe never.”

The Saskatchewan team is a medal favourite in the Team pursuit relay and the Humboldt skaters are solid medal contenders at several distances. Dutton turned in a blistering 38.31 500 meters at the Olympic Oval while Thiel and Bernhard were both under two minutes in the 1500 meters.

Round two of the trials goes Saturday in Moose Jaw. The top four men will form the Saskatchewan Canada Winter Games team.

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For further information call
Humboldt Speed Skating Club
231-9906

Team Headquarters for Canada Winter Games

Humboldt Speed Skating Club is pleased to announce the La Biciclette Bed and Breakfast in Whitehorse will be the team's Winter Games headquarters for the Canada Winter Games. The Humboldt Club has three skaters vying for spots on the Saskatchewan Long Track team. They include NA age class champion Nathan Bernhard, runner-up William Dutton and, coming out of retirement, multi-medalist Canadian Age class medallist and highly ranked Addison Thiel.

The La Biciclette Bed and Breakfast is located in Whitehorse and described as follows:

"From our bright and cozy, family-friendly home, enjoy easy access to Mt. Mac skiing/hiking/biking trails, and a 5-minute walk to the Canada Games Centre and pool. A European continental breakfast with amazing Turkish coffee will start your day off right. Fenced back yard with deck, separate entrance, kitchenette and comfy guest living room. Only 2 kms from the airport and 4 kms from downtown. English, French, Spanish and Croatian spoken. Special rates for guests arriving by bicycle!"

Whitehorse here we come!

Information on La Biciclette can be found at http://www.yukonbandb.com/whitehorse.html

3 Locals Favourites for Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse

Local Speed skaters Nathan Bernhard, William Dutton and Addison Thiel are all favourites to win a spot on the nine Saskatchewan Canada Winter Games team. The games will be held in Whitehorse beginning February 23.

Bernhard is the defending Age Class North American Champion and Dutton was runner up in his age class. Thiel is a Canada Winter Games veteran and comes out of retirement for the Whitehorse games.

Bernhard and Dutton are aiming for two of four Long Track spots available and Thiel is gunning for one of the five short track spots. Barring injury thier chances look good.

The skaters are training once weekly at the Elgar Peterson Aremna in Humboldt and will be training at the Clarence Downey Oval in Saskatoon.

The Humboldt Speed Skating Club welcomes skaters of all sizes, shapes, abilities, genders and ages. Practices are held each Tuesday at 4:00 at the arena.