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Speed
Skating
Canadian
speed skaing team to have distinctive local flavour
By Fred Sherwin
The Orleans Star
Two
athletes with local roots will lead Canada's long track
speed skating team this season after winning five titles
between them at the recent Canadian Single Distance Championships
in Calgary.
Colonel
By Secondary School alum Isabelle Weidemann won three
titles (3,000, 5,000 and Mass Start) and Garneau grad
Ivanie Blondin had a pair of wins (1,000 and 1,500) to
nearly sweep the women's finals. The 500-metre event was
won by Saskatchewan native Marsh Hudley.
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Orléans
native Isabelle Weidemann won three events at the recent Canadian Single Distance
Championships in Calgary. Speed Skaing Canada Photo
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Weidemann
and Blondin both competed at the Winter Olympics in Korea
last February. Weidemann finished 6th in the 5,000 and
7th in the 3,000, while Blondin finished 4th in the 5,000
and 5th in the 3,000.
It
was Blondin's second Winter Games and Weidemann's first.
Previously
a long distance specialist, Blondin is now focused on
the intermediate distances. Her winning times in the 1,000-
and 1,500-metre events at the Canadian championships have
qualified her for the upcoming World Cup season at both
distances. She is also pre-qualified in the 5,000 metres
based on her past results in international competition.
The
same is true for Weidemann who qualifed in the 3,000,
5,000 and Mass Start by winning all three races.
The
23-year-old Weidemann easily met the Wolrd Cup qualifying
standard in the 3,000 with a time of 4:02.68 and she bettered
the qualifying standard in the 5,000 by five seconds,
despite being the only skater in the event.
The
two women are now preparing for the first World Cup event
of the season which will take place in Obihiro, Japan
from Nov. 16-18. A week later they will compete in Tomakomai,
Japan.
Other
World Cup events are being held in Tomaszow Mazoviecki,
Poland (Dec. 7-9); Heerenveen, Netherlands (Dec. 13-16);
and Hamar, Norway (Feb. 1-3). The World Single Distance
Championships will take place in Inzell, Germany on Feb.
7-10 and the World Cup Final will take place in Salt Lake
City on March 9-10.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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CANADA DAY AT THE LEGION – Canadian Legion Branch 632 on Taylor Creek Road will be hosting a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities with music and food starting at 11 am. FREE FOR EVERYONE 
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
STRAY DOG BREWING COMPANY presents Crroked Creek live and in concert in their taproom. From Montreal, Crooked Creek effortlessly blends bluegrass and country music genres. Tickets $15 available at 
