Racing for Performance

PURPOSE:

  • The Racing for Performance group is for skaters with advanced speed skating skill who meet performance standards and regularly compete at national events, and are beginning to specialize into either short track or long track disciplines.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Develop skaters by optimizing critical speed skating skill and literacy.
  • Develop skaters by optimizing physical development.
  • Develop skaters by optimizing competitive development.
  • Develop skaters by optimizing sport science (nutrition, mental preparation, strength training).

STANDARDS:

Development Stage:
  • Post PHV Training to Train (approximately aged 13-15), Learning to Compete (aged 15-18), and older.
Objective:
  • To attend two or more formal competitions per season.
  • To attend a national age class championship within three seasons.
  • To train in pursuit of improved performance.
Performance:
  • Meet standards as outlined in Speed Skating Canada’s annual High Performance Bulletin for long track and short track for national competitions, or
  • Met standards outlined above which have lapsed less than two years, or
  • Meet standards outlined above part way through a season, or
  • Capable of training in a manner consistent with the Learning or Training to Compete stage of development.

PROGRAMMING:

  • Eleven-month season (May to March)
  • Up to 8 structured and self-directed training sessions per week, including:
    • Short track skating session(s).
    • Long track skating session(s).
    • Inline skating session(s).
    • Dryland training session(s).
    • Strength training session(s).

EXPECTATIONS:

Commitment:
  • Strive towards and achieve specific performance targets set with a DCSSC Coach.
  • Notify DCSSC coaches if unable to attend any training sessions and complete alternate training when provided.
Performance:
  • Begin to specialize in short track or long track.
  • Achieve and maintain standards for national competitions.
  • Improve national ranking in successive seasons.
Attitude and Behaviour:
  • Display a positive attitude and maintain appropriate behaviour at all times and abide by applicable codes of conduct.
Equipment:
  • Own or rent equipment for long track and/or short track, and be able to perform basic maintenance.
  • Own or rent training and safety equipment to properly perform training activities as required.

BENEFITS:

  • Optimize speed skating skill.
  • Optimize speed skating competition.