Use double quotes to find documents that include the exact phrase: "aerodynamic AND testing"

Three National Sport Organizations join the search for new and undiscovered Team Canada athletes

TORONTO (January 14, 2020) — While Canadian Olympians prepare to take the world’s biggest sporting stage at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, RBC Training Ground will once again be searching the country for the next generation of Olympic talent.

Entering its fifth year, RBC Training Ground is a nation-wide talent identification and athlete-funding program dedicated to finding and supporting the next generation of Canadian Olympians. Since its inception in 2016, the program has tested 8,000 athletes at more than 100 free local events across Canada. At each event participants perform speed, strength, power, and endurance benchmark testing in front of National Sport Organizations.

In 2020, RBC Training Ground will hold events on centrally located university campuses in eight provinces, culminating with a national final to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba and timed with the province’s 150th anniversary. The second-ever national final will bring together the top 100 high-potential athletes from across the country to compete for funding and a spot on one of nine partner sport organizations’ teams. Up to 30 high-performing athletes will be selected as RBC Future Olympians to receive funding, mentorship, and other resources as they pursue their Olympic Games dreams.

Joining the program for the first time ever in 2020 are Ski Jumping Canada, Nordic Combined Ski Canada and Boxing Canada. These sport organizations join long-time program partners Freestyle Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Cycling Canada Cyclisme, Rowing Canada Aviron, Rugby Canada, and Canoe Kayak Canada – all looking to identify new talent for development.

Several athletes who were discovered at previous RBC Training Ground events and supported as RBC Future Olympians are now emerging as Tokyo 2020 medal hopefuls. World record-setting track cyclist and Tokyo 2020 medal hopeful Kelsey Mitchell was a university soccer player when she was discovered at an RBC Training Ground event in 2017.

RBC Training Ground was developed in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Foundation and CBC Sports, with support from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. As the longest standing corporate partner of Team Canada, RBC has proudly championed the growth of the Olympic Movement since 1947.

Quick Facts:

Quotes:

“At RBC, we are proud to support Canadian Olympic athletes at every stage of their careers. RBC Training Ground is bridging the gap between next-generation talent and Olympic medallists, and we will experience the results first-hand as we cheer on graduates of our program at the 2020 Games. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the COC, COPSIN and CBC Sports for the fifth year of RBC Training Ground to unlock the potential of the next generation of Olympians.”

“Year five represents an important milestone for the RBC Training Ground program. This is the year that graduates of the program make their Olympic dreams come true. I encourage all participants this year to take their tests to heart as the opportunity to represent Team Canada on the world’s biggest sporting stage can be made a reality.”

“CBC Sports is proud to partner on this special initiative which allows us to engage with amazing young Canadians across the country. We look forward to shining a spotlight on recent graduates of the program at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and will continue to share the journeys of RBC Training Ground hopefuls as they strive to achieve their own dreams of reaching the podium, through our digital platforms and weekly broadcast of Road to the Olympic Games.”

“The most exciting aspect of the RBC Training Ground program is that we are seeing athletes emerging as national and international performers in sports they may never have considered had it not been for the program. Athletes like Kelsey Mitchell (Cycling), Gabby Smith and Avalon Wasteneys (Rowing), and Marion Thenault (Freestyle Skiing) are now demonstrating with evidence that this program can provide athletes with new and exciting opportunities in high performance sport. The strength of collaboration across the nine partner NSOs, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, has definitely been enhanced through this program, creating a much more aligned sport system in Canada.”

“Ski Jumping Canada and Nordic Combined Ski Canada are thrilled to be part of the RBC Training Ground program as this is an integral development component of identifying much-needed high calibre athletes for our exciting sports. Many opportunities are available for our athletes to advance to the National Team level with higher than average exposure to Olympic qualifications and participation.”

Registration and event information for all local RBC Training Ground events is available at RBCTrainingGround.ca.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 85,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

About COC

The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of Team Canada’s podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada. Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada’s elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day. By sharing our athletes’ stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

About CBC Sports

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s Olympic Network through 2024 and Canada’s Paralympic Network through 2020. The national public broadcaster is committed to showcasing Canadian and international athletes and sports across all platforms under the CBC Sports and Hockey Night in Canada brands, including on television, online at cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. CBC Sports prides itself on telling the story of the high-performance athlete’s journey every step of the way, ensuring Canadians always know the people who represent them before they see them atop the podium.

– 30 –

For more information, please contact:

Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
c: 647-464-4060
e: jsu@olympic.ca

Brianne Sommerville
RBC Communications
c: 437-228-5396
e: brianne.sommerville@rbc.com

Joanna Landsberg
CBC Sports
c: 416-205-2983
e: joanna.landsberg@cbc.ca

(January 13, 2020) This year’s Sport Events Congress heads to the Edmonton Convention Centre in Alberta from March 24-26. The annual gathering of more than +400 members of the sport tourism industry provides both professional development and business networking opportunities in sport tourism.

The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance has planned another dynamic program of speakers, activities and social events to ensure you gain the most from gathering with the leaders in sport tourism and event hosting.

The speaker lineup features a cross-section of outstanding national and international presenters including:

The popular Xperiential Huddle returns with its lively discussions on trending hot topics in sport tourism, including event sustainability, economic impact and more.

Networking is a key component of SEC20. During the refreshment breaks, meals and social activities, make new connections that may lead to future business opportunities. This year’s social events include a visit to Edmonton’s ICE district and an Oilers NHL Game at Rogers Place. An Oilers ticket is included in registration fees (while quantities last).

Register before Friday, January 17, 2020 to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing.

Contact:

Barb MacDonald

Communications Consultant |Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA)

116 Lisgar Street, Suite 600 |Ottawa, ON | K2P 0C2

t. 613.521.7314

c. 613.894.1769

e. bmacdonald@canadiansporttourism.com

A major step for Olympic qualifications for Tokyo 2020, the Montreal Sabre Grand Prix ended Sunday with a third and final day of emotional competition with the final elimination rounds for female sabre athletes.

RESULTS | DAY 3

Women’s sabre tables of  direct eliminations

Directly qualified for the table of 64 thanks to her perfect results in the pools, the Canadian Gabriella PAGE met Malina VONGSAVADY of France Sunday morning, but unfortunately lost to a score of 15-11. Page started her match well, but Vongsavady recovered and finally won. This result strengthens Gabriella’s position for the Olympics.

Finals

The Sabre Grand Prix was won by the Ukrainian Olga KHARLAN who soldified her number 1 world ranking with a 15-7 victory against the Russian Olga NIKITINA, ranked 13th in the world. The podium was completed by Yagi SHAO (China) and Charlotte LEMBACH (France).

These finals conclude this major international competition, appreciated by the public, foreign delegations, as well as by local athletes: “I am honoured to have participated in this unique and historic competition at the same time because of the highest level of fencing being here in Montreal, but also because it is exceptional to participate at home and hear a crowd cheering you on,” said Joseph Polossifakis, who finished 20th at the Montreal Sabre Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix could not have been realized without the help of our partners, as well as the many volunteers who contributed to the success of this event.

The official complete results of the event can be found here on the FIE website, and the thow finals including all of the top eight bouts can be viewed by clicking the links below.

Rewatch the Montreal Sabre Grand Prix sabre women’s finals

Rewatch the Montreal Sabre Grand Prix sabre men’s finals

-30-

Brian McKeever and Graham Nishikawa ski to silver, Natalie Wilkie claims bronze

DRESDEN, Ger.—Canada’s Para-Nordic squad sprinted to the silver and bronze-medal steps of the podium at the World Cup in Dresden, Germany on Monday.

The leader of the Para-Nordic Team, Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa, sprinted to the silver medal in the men’s visually impaired category. Women’s standing teen, Natalie Wilkie, grabbed her second sprint podium of the season with the bronze medal.

“This was a good day for the team,” said Robin McKeever, head coach, Canada’s Para-Nordic Team. “It was a good team effort, and a really solid day for the women.”

McKeever, a winner of 17 Paralympic medals, came up short in his quest to take down his top rival from Sweden, Zebastian Modin. The 40-year-old from Canmore, Alta., was stuck in the second place position all day. He qualified second on the one-kilometre track that meandered along the downtown streets of the old German city. He was also second in his semifinal heat before crossing the line behind Sweden’s Modin in the final.

“We fought hard, but didn’t ski well enough to win,” said McKeever. “We didn’t make up enough time where we needed to and then it was over. Some days just aren’t great. Modin is fast, and a really good sprinter.”

Germany’s Nico Messinger was third in the men’s visually impaired category.

The trail to the podium for the Canucks continued in the women’s standing skate-ski sprint race. One week removed from her 18th birthday, Natalie Wilkie enjoyed a solid day on the unique city sprint course.

Wilkie, of Salmon Arm, B.C., posted the third-fastest qualification time in her two trips around the 500-metre layout. She punched her ticket into the final with the top three athletes in each heat after taking complete control of her semifinal round where she was first to cross the line.

Starting at the back of the pack based on her classification, the three-time Paralympic medallist ran out of real estate in a hard-fought final against the top athletes in the world where she crossed the line in third place.

“It was a great day. Brittany, Emily and I all made it into the semis so I found we were bouncing off of each other’s energy all day,” said Wilkie. “Emily and I were working well together in the final as well. I just knew the course so well here. I skied it a lot and I felt good all day.”

Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva won the women’s standing race. Norway’s Vilde Nilsen was second.

North Vancouver’s Emily Young had a strong outing in her first World Cup race of the season. The Paralympic medallist qualified in fifth place before locking up a spot in the final after crossing the line second in her opening round. Young couldn’t keep up with the podium pace, and finished fifth when the day was done.

Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., also qualified for the heats, but was forced to the sidelines after crossing the line fourth in the semis.

Complete Para-Nordic Results: https://www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing/live-results/info-live-results/NS0A20/eng/zz/engzz_general-general-schedule.htm

Nordiq Canada is the governing body of para-nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at www.nordiqcanada.ca.

*****

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731

LONDON, Ont. — Sweden’s Niklas Edin has been through the hard times. Now, the decorated Team Europe skip is closing in for some good times at the OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup, presented by Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing.

Saturday morning at The Sports Centre at Western Fair District, Team Europe extended its lead over Team Canada with a win and a pair of ties for a commanding 15-6 lead after the mixed scramble format. 

Edin, supported by third Sara McManus, second Rasmus Wranaa and lead Sofia Mabergs scored an eighth-end deuce after giving up a seventh-end steal to salvage a 4-4 tie with Calgary’ Kevin Koe, supported by third Emma Miskew, second Colton Flasch and lead Lisa Weagle.

In other games, Toronto’s John Epping tied Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz 6-6, while Scotland’s Bruce Mouat blasted Sherwood Park’s (Alberta) Brendan Bottcher 7-1.

“We got a few breaks,” said Edin. “Today, we were fortunate to win this draw. It kinda looked like they would win it 2-1. At the end, both teams had a chance to gain a point. A split would have been realistic I think, but winning this draw is huge thing – for momentum, especially.

Through seven sessions, Europe has dominated Team Canada, with only one split session, a sweep and five 2-1 wins.

“In this one, where it looked like they needed to win a session and it looked like they were going to do it, it turns around at the very last minute. That’s tough for them. I think they deserved to get a point back.”

Edin has been a perennial OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup participant, having suffered through a six-event losing streak before being on the winning side last year in Las Vegas. Now, he’s part of a Team Europe that has a chance to make history by being the first non-North American team to win back-to-back titles.

“Looking at the history, the events have been held mostly in Canada,”  said Edin. “In the past, we’ve had a lot of mixes with countries, including from Asia and teams that don’t know each other very well and don’t speak the same language.

“The six straight losses, we could have won two – 2-4 would have been OK or well-deserved – 0-6 was really unfortunate for our side. We really felt we had to change something and do something better. That last two years, we’ve been doing better. There’s a lot of camaraderie and communication as well with only three countries, with both men’s and women’s from those countries. That evens the odds a bit.”

Holding a nine-point lead with four sessions left, including Sunday’s higher-valued skins games, puts Team Europe in a somewhat comfortable position.

With a total of 33 points (15 afternoon, 18 evening) up for grabs, Team Europe will need all the cushion it can get.

“It’s all about those skins,” said Edin. “Having a lead into those is very important. That puts us in the drivers’ seat. We can be a bit more conservative. We don’t have to go for the points as much as they do. We don’t have to take any risks at this point.

“It’s going to be a close race because of all the points in the last day.”

The 2020 OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup continues with draws today at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (all times EST).

TSN/TSN2 and RDS2 will provide complete coverage of the OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup. CLICK HERE for the complete schedule. 

The OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup format pits Team Canada against Team Europe in a series of team play, mixed doubles, scrambles and skins games. Teams earn points by winning games and the first to score 30.5 points is declared the OK Tire & BKT Tires Continental Cup champion.

For ticket information, as well as team lineups, go to https://www.curling.ca/2020continentalcup/

This story will be posted in French as soon as possible at: https://www.curling.ca/?lang=fr

-30-

For More Information

Kyle Jahns
Manager, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 204-803-8221
kyle.jahns@curling.ca

Al Cameron
Director, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 403-463-5500
acameron@curling.ca

An event more than six decades in the making is poised to take over the city of Kingston, Ont., in less than two months.

The 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, presented by AGI, is scheduled for Feb. 29 to March 8 at the Leon’s Centre in Kingston, which will mark the first time the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship has been played in Kingston since 1957.

The Wild Card Game is scheduled for Feb. 28, also at the Leon’s Centre.

For media requiring credentials to cover the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, please apply on-line by CLICKING HERE by no later than Feb. 24, 2020. A few days before the event, you will be sent a confirmation letter outlining the on-site accreditation procedures.

Those requesting credentials must also email a high-resolution mugshot of themselves to media@curling.ca to make the on-site accreditation process easier.

Please note: On-ice photographers will be required to wear black clothing and shoes and restrict themselves to designated shooting areas during the games. There will be no exceptions to this guideline. CLICK HERE to review photography guidelines.

A limited number of rooms is being held at the Four Points by Sheraton Kingston for media looking for accommodation during the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; space is extremely tight. Please contact Kristen Pressling (kpressling@fourpointskingston.com) as soon as possible to arrange for accommodation.

For ticket and other event information about the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier, visit www.curling.ca/2020brier/ 

TSN/TSN2 (RDS2 in French), the exclusive television network for Curling Canada’s Season of Champions, will provide complete coverage of the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier.

-30- 

For further information:

Al Cameron
Director, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
(403) 463-5500
acameron@curling.ca

Kyle Jahns
Manager, Communication and Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 204-803-8221
kyle.jahns@curling.ca

Showing the depth of Canada’s para-cycling program, the 2019 Canadian Cyclist of the Year Awards has been expanded to three Para categories for the first time – Best Female, Best Male and Best Individual Performance.

Shelley Gautier of Toronto is the inaugural winner of the Best Female category, taking 44% of first place votes.  In a virtual tie for second were Kara Douville of Calgary and Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert, Quebec.  Racing in the T1 category, Gautier is the most decorated para-cyclist in Canadian history, and finishes the 2019 season ranked number one in the world in her category.  She also won four World Cup races – two each for the time trial and road race – and finished second in two more, as well as winning silver (road race) and bronze (time trial) medals at the world championships.

“It is an amazing honour to receive this award,” says Gautier.  “To be recognized as a top Canadian Cyclist is especially gratifying given my journey. Following my mountain biking accident, I never thought I would race bicycles again.  To be given the opportunity by Cycling Canada to become an elite world racer is a wonderful experience.  I am so grateful to all the people who help me and the people I meet throughout the world.”

Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, took the Best Male title; his fourth consecutive win.  This is the first year that we have separated the Para category into Male and Female, however, Tristen also won the first three years since we introduced Para as a separate category.  Chernove won the world title for his C2 category in the Scratch Race, as well as taking one silver and two bronze medals across track and road world championships.  In the Road World Cup, he won three road race World Cups and finished second twice in time trial World Cups.  He is ranked second in the world on the track and third on the road.

“I’m honoured and elevated to again be recognized among an absolutely incredible selection of Canada’s cycling talent,” says Tristen.  “I’m full of gratitude every day for the great fortune I have in getting to follow my passion; thank you to everyone who plays a part in making it possible.  It’s nice to see my year presented this way with so much podium success, reminding me of the ups when what I recall the most is all that went wrong at the worst moments.  It has been a year of challenge to the next level, with untimely mechanicals, crashes and difficult injuries.  The healing process has enabled me to sharpen some new tools, bringing Tristen 2.0 into 2020 stronger and more resilient than ever. Thank you to Canadian Cyclist for continuing this tradition of year end recognition, a beautiful way to close 2019.”

This year, for the first time, we instituted a separate Best Individual Performance category for Para, with the title going to Ross Wilson of Sherwood Park, Alberta.  Ross, racing in the C1 category, finished a close second to Tristen in the Best Male voting, but his world record performance on the track in Glasgow, Scotland, was recognized as the Best Performance of the year.  Wilson set a time of 3:49.450 over 3000 metres for the C1 individual pursuit on November 8th, six-tenths of a second faster than the previous record.

“Owning the pursuit world record was a goal of mine for a long time; it served as a source of inspiration and an underlying rationale for hours of training pain,” says Ross.  “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a unique class of Canadian para-cyclists; our team performs at the highest level (winning rainbow jerseys and setting world records) and really shows the class and capabilities of our people.”

For more information please contact:
Robert Jones
Canadian Cyclist
rjones@canadiancyclist.com
www.canadiancyclist.com

The Ottawa Sports Awards committee has selected the winners of its annual major awards for 2019. Ivanie Blondin’s recent successes at the Speed Skating World Cup put her over the top in a strong field of candidates for Female Athlete of the Year, which she previously won in 2014, while shotputter Tim Nedow is honoured as Male Athlete of the Year for the first time in his distinguished career. The University of Ottawa women’s soccer team claimed Female Team of the Year honours while on the men’s side it was the Fred Page Cup-winning Junior Senators hockey team selected as Team of the Year. Their coach, Martin Dagenais, earned Male Coach of the Year, and Female Coach of the Year is Jen Boyd for a record-tying sixth time.

The winners, in addition to the Lifetime Award recipients which were announced earlier this month, will be celebrated at the 2019 Ottawa Sports Awards Dinner, January 29, 2020 at Algonquin College on Woodroffe Avenue.

Tickets for the Ottawa Sports Awards Dinner are on sale now at https://ottawasportsawards.ca/buy-2019-gala-tickets/

The Ottawa Sports Awards is the largest and most inclusive amateur sport recognition event in Canada and will mark its 67th anniversary this year. Winners of the 65 individual sport awards and team recognition awards will be announced in January.

Female Athlete of the Year: Ivanie Blondin

Ivanie Blondin is unstoppable right now. The veteran long-track speed skater has had an outstanding start to her 2019 World Cup season, winning five straight gold medals and setting three individual track records. She has collected six gold, three silver and three bronze medals at World Cup events in 2019, including her first career golds in the 1500 and 5000 metre distances. She continues to skate well at the 3000m distance as well, winning the 2019 Canadian Championships with a personal best time. Overall at nationals, Blondin captured five medals including three golds. The two-time Olympian is skating at a career-best level and is ranked first in the world cup in mass start.

Male Athlete of the Year: Tim Nedow

A mainstay on the national team and 2016 Olympian, Tim Nedow won his seventh consecutive National Championship in shot put this year. He set a new outdoor personal best this season and qualified for the final at the 2019 World Championships among a field that many consider the best ever in the sport. Nedow finished ninth in the world with a throw which would have landed him on the podium at previous championships. It was the highest finish for Nedow at his fourth World Championship. He also placed fourth at this year’s Pan Am Games.

Female Coach of the Year: Jen Boyd

Jen Boyd continues to get results on the rugby pitch. Boyd’s University of Ottawa Gee-Gees won the RSEQ conference championship trophy this year for the sixth consecutive season. The team then took the bronze medal at the U SPORTS National Championship. An assistant coach with the 15s senior women’s national team, Boyd remains a contributor to Canada’s success on the international levels and saw three former or current Gee-Gees players suit up for Canada this year. With this year’s award, Jen Boyd joins a group of just three individuals who have won a Major Award at the Ottawa Sports Award six times (Kristina Groves, Dave Smart).

Male Coach of the Year: Martin Dagenais

Under Dagenais’ leadership the Ottawa Junior Senators have reached heights unseen in their history. In 2019 the team successfully defended its title as CCHL champions. From there, the team won its second straight Fred Page Cup as Eastern Canadian Champions. The Jr. Sens then moved on to the Canadian National Junior A Championships where they reached the semi-finals. Hockey Canada named him Head Coach of Team Canada East for the 2019 World Junior A Challenge tournament and with Dagenais at the helm, Team Canada East upset the heavily favoured Team USA in the semi-finals before falling in double overtime 2-1 to Team Russia in the gold medal game. The silver medal was only the second time in eight years that Team Canada East has medalled at the tournament. 

Male Team of the Year: Ottawa Junior Senators

With a roster laden with local talent, the Ottawa Junior Senators won the CCHL championship for the second straight season after finishing second in the regular season. The team then ran the gauntlet of a long league playoff schedule, emerging as Bogart Cup Champions. Travelling to Amherst, N.S., as the league champions Ottawa successfully defended their claim to the Fred Page Cup as champions of Eastern Canada. The title-winning game was a 9-2 victory in which eight different players scored, and the team had to play an extra game as they did not go in with a bye. At nationals, the team made it to the semifinals before bowing out to the eventual national champions.

Female Team of the Year: Ottawa Gee-Gees Women’s Soccer

It was a unique year for the Gee-Gees women’s soccer team. Ranked first in the nation for the regular season as they played to an undefeated 14-0-2 record, the team then took a bronze medal at the OUA conference championships. Normally, the season would have ended there. However, as 2018 U SPORTS National Champions, the team had been invited to compete at the inaugural FISU World Cup of Soccer at the end of November. The team extended its season by nearly a month, and student-athletes travelled to China to take on squads from Siberia, Taiwan, China, and Brazil, defeating all comers to be crowned FISU World Cup Champions. The team also won the tournament’s Fair Play award.

*

The Markham PanAm Centre was the host of the 2019 North American Open. A Premium Plus event with a total price money of $75,000, almost 150 athletes from over 25 countries.

Events like this create good experiences for our young Canadian athletes, playing on the highest level against different styles, in a professional environment. It has been 5 days of action packed Table Tennis and within 18 Canadian Athletes competing in the Singles and Doubles events. The highlight being Eugene Wang, reaching the Quarter Finals in the Men’s Single competition.

“As President of Table Tennis Canada (TTCAN),  and on behalf of our  Board of Directors, I am very proud of all of our players competing in this event and in particular Eugene Wang for his great performances. I also thank our Canadian officials who contributed to the event as umpires and referees. This is a great experience for our players, coaches and officials on home soil.” – Adham Sharara, President Table Tennis Canada

If you like more information about the event, you can find the RESULTS and IMAGES on the ITTF website. Check out our FACEBOOK page for quotes, more images and stories about the event.

On behalf of TTCAN we like to thank ” ITTF North America” for running and funding this event in Markham.

Building on the excitement the inaugural Western Canadian University Series saw in 2019, where post-secondary students from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba battled for Series points supremacy over three events, spanning BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan,  Triathlon BC is bringing home the race action and launching a BC-based Provincial University Series!

Already a designated NCAA Emerging Sport for Women in the United States, where 30 US-based post-secondary institutions offer NCAA Division I, II and III varsity women’s triathlon programs, the Western Canadian Series and Triathlon BC’s University Series aim to recreate the excitement domestically, offering male and female student athletes the opportunity to participate in competitive draft-legal racing.

Canadian athletes have an illustrious history competing in the NCAA, where both Hannah Henry (Victoria, BC) and Kyla Roy (Winnipeg, MB), both representing Arizona State University, won National triathlon titles in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Piggybacking on the established BC SuperSeries, where aspiring high performance athletes hone their speed, technical skills and tactical savvy in a draft-legal environment, the BC University Series adds another layer to the growing performance event network, with the aim of bringing universities and colleges from across BC together to compete against each other in a battle to prove their speed!   The initial objective for the provincially based series in 2020 is to grow the number of schools and universities participating in the Series, increase the awareness of the University Series, and support the performance-minded culture while still having fun competing against athletes of similar ages, abilities and mindsets!

“The new for 2020 University Series is an opportunity for student-athletes to showcase their talent in a performance environment,” said Allan Prazsky, Triathlon BC Executive Director and member of the Western Canadian University Series Committee, “the Western Series has proven that post-secondary athletes have an appetite for performance, the Provincial Series offers a fantastic opportunity for student athletes to compete against their peers, and will encourage many more young athletes to explore the performance pathway.”

With year on year tweaks to the SuperSeries points format to ensure consistent and fair competition, post-secondary athletes will race in U23 fields at 5 events across BC in 2020, using the same Series points structure.  In order to be tracked in the provincial University Series, student-athletes must be members of a provincial governing body (i.e. Triathlon BC), be enrolled in a post-secondary institution, either part-time or full, and include their representing school upon Series registration.

Five events make up the 2020 University SuperSeries:

To learn more about the BC SuperSeries, please click HERE.

Allan Prazsky,
Executive Director
Triathlon BC
t. (604) 736-3176
Facebook & Twitter – Triathlon BC