Emily Brydon (CP)

Big fan boosts ski squad: Wind tunnel provides alpine edge.
(The Windsor Star)

WARREN, Mich. -- Members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team faced winds of up to 143 km/h here Saturday in the hope of winning gold on the slopes.

After hours of computer-analysed aerodynamics at General Motors' wind tunnel, Kelly Vanderbeek came up with this winning combination: "skin-to-wind, ass down, back flat, elbows in, ponytail free."

The 22-year-old Kitchener native was one of four team members to test different undergarments and body positions to optimize Canada's chances of Olympic and World Cup gold this season.

Along with teammates Emily Brydon and Allison Forsyth of British Columbia and Brigitte Acton of Quebec, Vanderbeek spent the day facing a 13-metre fan capable of rotating at half the speed of sound . "If you can make up a tenth of a second by the way you hold your elbows, you'll do it," Vanderbeek said. "The difference of a few tenths of a second could be the difference between tenth and gold."

Vanderbeek, ranked 20th in World Cup standings and seventh in Super G, said the key is working on the tuck position - the crouch used when skiers are maximizing speed down straight slopes or heading for the finish line. The second component was testing undergarments.

Vanderbeek was experimenting with three choices beneath her form-fitting race suit, "fuzzy, flannel long johns," a thin lycra full-body undergarment, and "skin to wind" meaning only panties and bra beneath her suit. She discovered lycra was less resistant than "fuzzy" and skin "possibly" faster still.

But, she added, the effects of mountain cold and wind on barely protected flesh and muscle could cancel any advantage, though many on the circuit, particularly the men, prefer it.

Emily Brydon, bronze medalist in the combined event at the 2005 World Cup in Italy, said her motive for wind tunnel testing was obvious. "I want to win at the Olympics," she said. "For me it's really fine detail between what might be faster or slower. It makes you realize what a difference drag can make, imagine the difference over a two-minute race."

She said it is possible for the skiers to take what they've learned about their own body-type aerodynamic, because every body is different, and incorporate that into their training until it becomes an automatic muscle reflex. Forsyth, ranked 15th in the world and an eight-time Canadian champion, was experimenting primarily with different arm positions while in her tuck.

"I found problems with my arms too far out and too far in," she said. '"So I'm going to try keeping them just at my knees. I'll focus on that from here on out. It's definitely worth it to combine science, technology and sport."

Coach Rob Body, a former national men's team member, agreed. "Hands extended can be faster for some, hands at the knees might be better for others," he said. "It depends on body type and shape. Even the little things you might not think about. Kelly's hair is straight in a ponytail and blows behind in a stream making it pretty aerodynamic. But Brigitte's hair is curly and creates a lot of turbulence."

GM is a ski team sponsor and provided use of the state-of-the-art wind tunnel at no cost. Usually used to test vehicles, the tunnel allowed the skiers to experiment with helmets, goggles, boots and other equipment.

They took the information gleaned to Chile for further training. "The technical expertise we leverage is difficult to find anywhere else," said Ken Read, president of Alpine Canada, of the GM facility. "They bring expertise but also a sincere passion for the sport."

Brydon noted Canada has a relatively young team, most members in their early 20s. But the average age of their European competitors is 28. "Every year our team gets stronger," she said. "We gain more experience and confidence. That's the key. It's an individual sport but you work as a team."

Carol Hyunh (Freestyle Photo)

Canada's team at University Games its best since '93.
(The Daily News - Halifax)

Canada wrapped up its best World University Games performance since 1993 as silver medallist Reid Coolsaet of Guelph, Ont., carried the flag into Ataturk Stadium for the closing ceremonies yesterday.

Coolsaet won silver in the 5,000 metres just three days after arriving in Turkey from the world track and field championships in Helsinki. "It's a tremendous honour to carry the Canadian flag," said the University of Guelph athlete. "Canada had a great showing at the Games, and there was a lot of deserving athletes. "This was my last university race as I have used my CIS eligibility. What a great way to end my university career."

His was one of 12 medals won by Canadians, which was the best since Canada's haul of 40 medals in 1993 in Buffalo.

Canadians won three gold medals, six silver and three bronze with the women's wrestling team accounting for half of the medals. "The addition of women's wrestling to the 2005 Universiade program paid off for Canada," Canadian chef de mission Patricia Murray said.

Canadian wrestler Yasin Kaya was given the Fair Play Award by the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire. The 24-year-old was born and raised in Izmir, but became a Canadian citizen in April and has lived the last six years in Canada where he attends Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Kaya was hampered by a leg injury suffered in practice, but limped onto the mat to fulfil his dream of returning to his old high school and competing. He lost in two rounds to eventual gold medallist Shalva Gadabadze. "Some people say home is where you come from and other say home is where you live. I think the whole world is my country," said Kaya. "Every country has its beauty. If you carry beauty inside you, you will meet beautiful people wherever you go."

Freestyle wrestlers Carol Huynh of Burnaby, B.C., and Ohenewa Akuffo of Brampton, Ont., and gymnast Brandon O'Neill, in the floor exercise, won Universiade gold.

Silver medallists were Winnipeg's Jared MacLeod in the 110-metre hurdles, Montreal swimmer Jennifer Carroll in the 50-metre backstroke, swimmer Scott Dickens of Ancaster, Ont., in the 50- metre breaststroke and wrestlers Lyndsay Belisle of Burnaby, B.C., and Tonya Verbeek of Beamsville, Ont.

Bronze medallists were swimmer Chanelle Charron-Watson of St- Augustin, Que., in the 400-metre freestyle and wrestlers Breanne Graham of Calgary and Stefanie Howorun of Brampton, Ont.

Canada finishes 16th out of 170 countries in the overall medal count. Russia was first with 65 medals, including 26 gold, followed by Japan (56) and the Ukraine (52). China was second in the gold-medal race with 21, while host Turkey claimed 27 medals, including 10 gold.

Hayley Wickenheiser (CP)

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM BEGINS FULL TIME TRAINING IN CALGARY.

CALGARY, ALBERTA – Canada’s National Women’s Olympic centralized team of 27 players will take to the ice today to begin its 2005-2006 full-time centralization in Calgary, AB in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympics being held in Turin, Italy February 10-26.

The Centralized Team is made up of the top 27 female Canadian hockey players, which will train full-time in Calgary beginning today. Canada’s National women’s team has centralized full-time in Calgary prior to both the 2002 and 1998 Winter Olympic Games in the same fashion.

Canada’s Centralized roster was announced on May 9th, first immobilized in Charlottetown, PEI on May 23rd as a group for a three week conditioning and orientation camp. The players then returned to their respective homes and are now living and training full time in Calgary in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy in February, 2006.

The players and staff arrived in Calgary last week and spent the week with off-ice workouts and testing.

During the 2005-2006 season, Canada’s Women’s Centralized hockey team will play 46 games in preparation for the Olympics, including six games versus the USA - three in Canada and three in the United States, the Four Nations Cup in Finland in August/September, a pre-Olympic Tournament in Turin , and a series of games against Midget AAA teams in Alberta.

“We are thrilled to get our Olympic preparations under way and to begin our training full time in Calgary,” said Head Coach Melody Davidson. “Now that our players and staff are together in Calgary, we look forward to a full season of preparation with the pinnacle being our trip to the Olympics in February.”

Davidson will lead Canada behind the bench as Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team during the 2005-2006 season, and is joined by assistant coaches: Tim Bothwell, Margot Page and Peter Smith.

The 20 player roster that will represent Canada in women’s hockey for the Olympics does not officially have to be named until 24 hours prior to Canada’s first Olympic game which is against Italy on February 11, 2006.

Canada’s National Women’s Centralized team will hold practices in Calgary each day (Monday – Saturday), during the weeks they are in Calgary and not traveling for the 2005-2006 season and all sessions are open to the media and to the public. To confirm practice times in Calgary during the season and to set up media interviews, please contact Sean Kelso at 403-777-4552.

2005-06 NATIONAL WOMEN’S OLYMPIC CENTRALIZED TEAM SCHEDULE

Aug.20 7pm CAN vs. FIN Father David Bauer (Calgary, AB) Open to public – no charge
Aug.23 7:30pm CAN vs. CAN (U-22) Father David Bauer (Calgary, AB) Open to public – no charge
Aug.25 3:30pm CAN vs. CAN (U-22) Father David Bauer (Calgary, AB) Open to public – no charge
Aug.26 1:30pm CAN vs. CAN (U-22) Father David Bauer (Calgary, AB) Open to public – no charge

FOUR NATIONS CUP
Aug.30 3pm CAN vs. SWE Hameenlinna, FIN TBD
Aug.31 2pm CAN vs. USA Hameenlinna, FIN TBD
Sept.3 4pm CAN vs. FIN Tampere, FIN TBD
Sept.4 5pm Championship final Hameenlinna, FIN TBD

CANADA vs. USA - INTERNATIONAL GAMES
Oct.6 8pm CAN vs. USA Agridome (Regina, SK) Will be announced August 11
Oct.8 12noon CAN vs. USA Credit Union Centre (Saskatoon, SK) Will be announced August 11

TURIN, ITALY PRE-OLYMPIC WOMEN’S HOCKEY EVENT
Teams – CAN, USA, FIN, SWE
Nov.7 8pm CAN vs. SWE Palasport (Torino, ITA) TBD
Nov.8 4pm CAN vs. FIN Palasport (Torino, ITA) TBD
Nov.10 8pm CAN vs. USA Espoosizioni (Torino, ITA) TBD
Nov.12 4pm Championship final Espoosizioni (Torino, ITA) TBD

INTERNATIONAL GAMES
Nov.27 TBD CAN vs. USA Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) TBD
Dec.1 7pm CAN vs. USA United Center (Chicago, IL) TBD
Dec.10 8:30pm CAN vs. SWE Alberta TBD
Dec.11 4:30pm CAN vs. SWE Alberta TBD
Dec.13 3:30pm CAN vs. SWE Father David Bauer (Calgary, AB) TBD
Dec.30 TBD CAN vs. USA Xcel Energy Arena (St.Paul, MN) TBD
Jan.1 2:30pm CAN vs. USA MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB) Will be announced August 11

For more information on Canada’s National Women’s Olympic Centralized Team or Hockey Canada, please visit the official web site at www.hockeycanada.ca

Emily Cordonier (CP)

Canadian volleyball Team Makes Worlds.

HAVANA (CP) — The Canadian men's volleyball team secured a berth in next year's world championship by finishing second in a NORCECA qualifying tournament Sunday.

Canada (3-1) lost 25-23, 29-27, 25-20 to Cuba (4-0) on Sunday, but had already earned a berth with earlier victories over Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago and Panama in the round-robin tournament. Cuba is ranked No. 12 in the world and Canada is No. 14.

Canada clinched a berth in the world championship with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-20 victory over Costa Rica on Saturday. The Canadian men have participated in seven world championships with the best result a ninth-place finish in 1994. Canada placed 17th at the most recent world championship in Argentina in 2002.

Two other NORCECA teams will join Canada and Cuba following a qualification tournament in Puerto Rico starting Monday. The hosts, U.S., Mexico, Barbados and Guatemala are in that tournament. The 2006 world men's volleyball championship will be held in Japan from Nov. 16 to Dec. 3.

Canada earned world ranking points from the tournament, which will affect the team's seeding at the world championship.

Female Volleyballers miss out on worlds

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico (CP) — Canada's women's volleyball team failed to earn a berth in the 2006 world championships, losing to Mexico in Friday's bronze-medal match of the world qualifying tournament.

Mexico stunned the Canadians in straight sets, 25-21, 25-15, 25-22 to finish third in the five-country tournament. The top three teams at the qualifying tournament advanced to the world championships next year in Japan.

The Canadians will turn their focus to the NORCECA championships, Sept. 4-12 in Trinidad & Tobago.

Jaret Llewellyn (CP)

Llewellyn wins world water skiing gold.

TIANJIN, China (CP) - Jaret Llewellyn of Innisfail, Alta., won a gold medal in the men's jump competition Sunday at the world water-skiing championships.

Llewellyn, 35, earned the victory with a jump of 69.1 metres on his second of three attempts in the final. He finished ahead of archrival Freddy Krueger of the United States, second at 66.4 metres and Jason Seels of Britain third at 65.5.

"To come out on top after such an emotional roller-coaster ride this weekend is really satisfying," said Llewellyn, who won his fourth world jump title. "It makes the trip worthwhile. . . . I've had a habit lately of always leaving the door open but this time I pretty much shut it down with that second jump."

Llewellyn, in his 22nd year on the national team, also placed fourth in the men's overall standings. Ryan Dodd of Olds, Alta., was 10th reaching 62.7 metres.

On the women's side, Whitney McClintock, 15, of Cambridge, Ont., finished fourth in the overall event.

Tyler Christopher (CP)

Christopher 2nd, Felicien 4th in Zurich.

ZURICH (CP-AP) — Canadian Tyler Christopher, fresh off his 400-metre bronze medal at the world track and field championship, finished second Friday at the Weltklasse track and field meet in windy, rainy conditions.

The Edmonton sprinter was timed in 44.96 seconds, just behind American Jeremy Warriner, who won in 44.67. Christopher just edged Bahamian runner Christopher Brown (44.97), who also finished just behind the Canadian at the world track and championships.

Perdita Felicien of Pickering, Ont., was fourth in the women's 100-metre hurdles in 12:82. Newly crowned world champion Michelle Perry of the U.S. won in 12.55, head of Brigitte Foster-Hylton of the Bahamas in 12.69 and American Olympic champion Joanna Hayes in 12.79. Perry's winning time was faster than the 12.66 she ran for the world title.

In the men's high jump, Mark Boswell of Brampton, Ont., tied for seventh at a disappointing 2,20 metres. Czech Ton Svatoslav won at 2.28.

Discus thrower Jason Tunks of London, Ont., was 11th at 60.67 metres. Alekna Virgilijus of Lithuania won with a distance of 68.0 metres.

Ann Dow(CP)

Canada finishes sixth in women’s World League water polo final.
(CSN)

KIRISHI, Russia- Greece won the gold medal with a 13-10 victory over Russia in the championship game Sunday to conclude the women’s water polo World League Final tournament while Canada finished in sixth place.

Australia defeated world champions Hungary 6-4 to win the bronze medal while Canada lost 6-3 to the U.S., in the fifth place game and the Netherlands defeated Italy for seventh.

In the Canada –U.S., game, Sue Gardiner of Vancouver scored two goals with Alison Braden of Calgary scoring the other. The Canadians trailed 4-1 at the half.

Canada had six different players from the squad that won the bronze medal last month at the world championships in Montreal. “Overall I’m happy with how we played,” said Canadian national team coach Patrick Oaten of Montreal. “Today was a story of missed opportunities for us especially with the man up. But that’s to be expected when we’ve had little time to practice together. This team has a positive future and will soon show how good it can be.”

The Greeks, the Olympic silver medallists, claimed the $50,000 (U.S.) first prize, while Russia is awarded $30,000 and Australia $20,000. Canada pockets $10,000.

Viola Yannik (CP)

Canadian Women’s Wrestling Team Second at Warsaw Cup in Poland.

Twenty Countries attended the last Senior International tournament prior to the Senior World Championships scheduled this September in Budapest Hungary. Canada had a very strong showing with four medals.

Leading the way was Calgary Veteran Erica Sharp at 51kg and 2004 Olympian Viola Yannik (Saskatoon) at 63Kg. Both winning there weight classes against a strong field of competitors.

For Sharp it was her third straight international tournament victory this summer. Victories over opponents from Czech Republic, Belarus, France and the Ukraine indicate that she has returned to her top form at this weight class. Sharp was forced to move up a weight category for the last 4 seasons as her weight class was excluded from the selected weight classes at the Athens Olympic games. She was a World Silver medalist at this weight in 1999 and is looking forward to returning to the podium at the World Championships.

For Yannik it was a bitter sweet victory over most of the top wrestlers in her weight class in the worlds. Ironically the Olympic 5th place winner failed to make this falls world team being defeated at the 2005 National Championships.

Also having excellent tournaments were Megan Buydens of Saskatoon capturing the Silver medal at 67kg, and Emily Richardson (Vancouver) at 59kg who secured bronze at her weight. Britannee Laverdure also from Calgary had to settle for a fifth place at the tournament, after two strong wins against top opponents from Germany and Poland she was injured in the semi finals and was forced to withdraw from the tournament being placed fifth.

For the Canadian team it was a great success at the summers top international event. Canada placed second in the team standings by two points to Russia.
The World Championships are scheduled for the end of September. With the recent successes of the teams at events in Poland and the Univeriade in Turkey the Canadian Women’s Wrestling Team appears poised for a great showing in Budapest at the Senior Worlds.

This Canadian National Team will be lead by Leigh Vierling (Calgary) and Dave Mair (Guelph).

Pierre Lafonatine (CP)

Swim boss waters the grassroots: Lafontaine has renewed hope in Canada's pools.
(National Post)

MONTREAL - A month ago, Pierre Lafontaine was on a Montreal pool deck, helping guide Canada's finest swimmers to five medals and 14 national records at the world aquatic championships.

Early Saturday morning, he was at Cedar Park Pool in suburban Pointe Claire, delivering the opening address at a half-day community meet. To its 512 young athletes, this competition was infinitely more important than the worlds -- this was the finals of the Association of Lakeshore Pools' summer season.

There were many other places Lafontaine, Swimming Canada's chief executive, could have been on this wet, gusty Saturday morning, having lived mostly on the road, away from his Ottawa-area home and family, for the past few months. But it was for his attention to detail, for his proper vision Canadian swimming's medallists of tomorrow first get their feet wet in a community pool, that he was hired four months ago.

This was a homecoming, too, Lafontaine's teaching career having begun three blocks away at the Pointe Claire Aquatic Centre in 1976. He spent a few hours at Cedar Park on Saturday, the Association of Lakeshore Pools meet one more chance to spread his contagious gospel to another group of coaches, volunteer officials, swimmers and their proud if soggy parents.

"I want to say, 'You guys are the ones who help kids start to dream. Thank you for that,' " he said.

Most observers figured the worlds would be yet another watery grave for Canada, which for a decade has been dog-paddling in a global tank of sharks. But four silver medals and a bronze won by the same squad that floundered through the Athens Olympics showed a renewed life in the Canadian program.

It is now up to Lafontaine, and everyone beneath him in the sport, doing every job nationally, provincially and locally, to build on this momentum. Lafontaine left the worlds with 15 swimmers, accompanied by another 20 or so Quebec and Alberta athletes, to watch the U.S. vs. Australia Duel In The Pool meet in Irvine, Calif., then race in the United States' summer nationals.

The latter was a terrific success, Canadians winning two gold, six silver and a bronze. Highlights included worlds double medallist Brittany Reimer of Surrey, B.C., winning the 200- and 400-metre freestyle, and Montreal's Victoria Poon breaking the national 50 freestyle record.

"This business is all about confidence," Lafontaine said. "This showed our kids that the worlds weren't luck, or just because of the home crowd, but rather that they were well-prepared with the right approach to the game. Winning is never luck. It's always a well-planned and organized exercise."

He then flew to Regina, where he shared his vision with Canada Summer Games coaches. Soon he'll address a meeting of provincial swim officials, then Toronto-area coaches, to get them on board with Swimming Canada's ambitious seven-year plan. Next month, swimming will begin knocking on corporate doors with its new marketing package, aimed in part at finding sponsorship for a program again on the horizon. Lafontaine relishes the idea of international meets at home, once a staple in Canadian waters, instead of having to take his team to the U.S. or overseas.

But if the new boss' respect for the grassroots is clear from his morning at Cedar Park, his thinking is even more basic as he considers swimming is Canada's second-leading cause of accidental death among children five and under.

"Performance is great, but hundreds of kids drown in Canada every year," he said. "I want our [elite] swimmers to be great advocates of water safety. That's where this sport starts. We have to make people aware of this, then get kids in the pool and make them water-safe.

"Imagine if an aquatic director said, 'Not only will we offer a learn-to-swim program, but we'll help any kid with the ability to go further to move forward and find a place to compete. If we can get every Canadian child to swim, in 20 years we'll be competitive year after year, because every kid will have the ability to swim properly."

Lafontaine had expressed his hope some of these youngsters would grow to represent their country. Even better if they return to the Cedar Park pools of Canada to share their stories with more kids who dare to dream big and swim fast.

Canada Games end on great note.
(The StarPhoenix - Saskatoon)

REGINA -- The 2005 Canada Summer Games wrapped up here on Saturday, and Ontario won the Games flag after topping all provinces and three territories with 259 points.

Flag points are based on the performance of each athlete in the Summer Games, which were held in Regina, Lumsden, Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan Beach. British Columbia was second with 223, while Quebec finished third with 208.5.

Manitoba won the Centennial Cup, which is awarded to the team that shows the greatest improvement from the previous Canada Games. Manitoba had 5.5 points, followed by Ontario and Saskatchewan. Prince Edward Island won the Jack Pelech Trophy, which combines sportsmanship, the spirit of fair play and competitiveness.

The Games closing ceremonies featured a tribute to Saskatchewan's aboriginal culture and the national sporting event was declared "officially closed" by Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Dr. Lynda Haverstock. Minutes later Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace took the stage before more than 10,000 people.

The Juno-Award winning band had the 2,400 second-half Games athletes dancing and moshing in the pit on the Taylor Field turf. "They are one of my favourite bands and I was surprised that they came here," Manitoba wrestler Megan King said after the 75-minute concert.

Raine Maida, the lead singer for OLP, said he enjoyed the opportunity to play for the young athletes. "We have a lot of Canadian pride," Maida said. "That's one of the reasons why we took the show. It's a big deal for us. "Music and sports go hand-in-hand."

The 2007 Canada Winter Games are slated for Whitehorse, Yukon. Prince Edward Island is playing host to the 2009 Summer Games.

MEDAL STANDINGS G S B T

Ont. 63 45 50 158

Que. 50 42 43 135

B.C. 42 44 33 119

Alta. 29 34 37 100

Sask. 15 26 26 67

N.S. 15 15 16 46

Man. 4 7 6 19

Nfld./Lab. 0 4 5 9

N.B. 1 4 1 6

P.E.I. 2 0 0 2

Yukon 0 0 1 1

NWT 0 0 0 0

Nunavut 0 0 0 0

Boots - 1996 Olympic Agility Champion (AP)

Ferret Olympics a no-go.
Prince George Citizen

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- After nine years of slippery, slinky competition, the Ferret Olympics is being forced to change its name because the U.S. Olympic Committee has threatened to sue.

An estimated 75 ferrets competed for medals at the Ferret Agility Trial in events including the tube run and the paper-bag escape. Only "they are not Olympians anymore," organizer Melanee Ellis said with a laugh.

Ellis started the Ferret Olympics in 1996, the year of the Atlanta games, as a fundraiser for a local ferret shelter. The Ferret Olympics didn't attract much attention until the local newspaper reported on it in 2004, Ellis said.

Within two weeks of the story, she received phone calls from the BBC in London, Late Show with David Letterman, The Ellen Degeneres Show and, eventually, the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Ellis, 44, said she could hardly believe the woman on the phone was serious about the threat of a lawsuit for unauthorized use of a trademark. "I was very, very disappointed and upset about the whole thing," she said.

U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said the committee's legal department on average asks about 50 groups per year to stop using the name Olympics.

As for Ellis and her ferrets, she wishes they had another chance at Olympic gold. "I'm sure Spaz is the most upset," Ellis said about the top athlete in her ferret lineup. "He never did win a medal at the Olympics. He thought this would be his year."