(July 31, 2006)

Technical specialists and accountants at training seminars in Ottawa

Over 70 current and potential technical specialists and technical controllers, as well as 33 core and new accountants, were in Ottawa for a special training seminar from July 13 to 16.

The seminar included informative presentations by International Skating Union technical specialists. David Moellenkamp, an ISU pairs technical specialist, presented material to the pair specialist and controller applicants, while Norm Proft, an ISU singles technical specialist, presented to the singles applicants and Andrzej Dostatni, an ISU dance technical specialist, addressed the dance applicants.

A number of former athletes attended the seminar and trained to become technical specialists in their respective field, including former national team members Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe (ice dance), Annie Bellemare (singles), Karen Preston (singles) and Clare Kelly-McIsaac (singles), as well as Polish Pair Champions and former world bronze medallists Dorota Zagorska and Mariusz Siudek (pairs).

The training was held to increase the number of qualified technical panel officials eligible to serve in domestic events in Canada. In addition, the 16 core accountants and 17 new accountants attended the seminar in order to increase the number of accounting officials with close knowledge of the Cumulative Points Calculation system.

“The weekend was a success,” said Skate Canada CPC Coordinator Rob Davison. “The result was a positive increase in the number of technical officials who will be able to serve in competitions across the country. As well, our accounting officials have increased in numbers to help distribute the workload and spread knowledge nationwide.”

Skate Canada thanks all of the participants who attended the technical panel and core accountants training seminar.