Minutes

International Masters’ Speed Skating

Committee

Mailing Address: International Masters’ Speed Skating Committee (IMSSC)

c/o Dr. Volker Serini, Sebastian-Kneipp Weg 2, D-47802 Krefeld, GERMANY

Phone +49 2151 563177, Mobile Phone +49 172 263 6664, Fax +49 2151 563975

Email: imssc@t-online.de Internet: www.imssc.org

Krefeld, June 26^th, 2007

Minutes

26^th Session of the IMSSC in Calgary/Canada, 2007

The 26^th Session of the IMSSC was held in the Olympic Oval/Calgary/Canada on Feb 21^st, 2007, from 10:00 to 16:00.

Participants: AUT Hubert Kreutz (IMSSC Member)

CAN Brett Arnason (IMSSC Member, new)

CZE Petr Novàk (IMSSC Member)

FIN Matti Kilpeläinen (IMSSC Member)

FIN Ulla-Maj Björses (Assistant)

GER Dr. Volker Serini (IMSSC Member)

ITA Antonio Nitto (IMSSC Member)

KOR Jae-Seok Choi (IMSSC Member)

LAT Lasma Kauniste (IMSSC Member)

NED Bram de Vries (IMSSC Member, new)

NOR Sven-Åge Svensson (IMSSC Member)

RUS Dr. Ramir Kuramshin (Guest)

USA Mary O’Donnell (IMSSC Member, resigning)

USA Andrew Love (IMSSC Member, new)

Distribution of the Minutes:

Participants of the Session

Further Members of the IMSSC

Cash Auditor IMSSC

Honorary Members of the IMSSC

ISU President, 1st and 2nd Vice President

ISU Council, Members

ISU TC Speed Skating, Chairman and Members

ISU Director General

ISU Speed Skating Sports Director

ISU Coordinator Adult Figure Skating Group

1 Approval of the Minutes of the 25^th Session of the IMSSC in

Haarlem/The Netherlands, 27 Mai 2006

The Minutes of the 25^th Session of the IMSSC in Haarlem/NED were accepted unanimously.

2 Members of the IMSSC

The IMSSC Members Mary O’Donnell/USA and Aris Dijksman/NED resigned. Their great performance was acknowledged by Dr. Serini. Mary O’Donnell was Member for USA during many years and was very helpful in contacting the US Masters and US Speedskating. Aris Dijksman was co-founder of the IMSSC in 1994 and Member for NED. He organized three times the Masters’ International Games in the Netherlands and promoted Masters’ International Speed Skating with hard work and many good ideas.

New Members were appointed by the IMSSC separately and ananimously: Brett Arnason/CAN, Indrek Aarna, Ph.D./EST, Bram de Vries/NED and Andrew Love/USA.

Because of his intensive work and his great merits for Masters’ International Speed Skating and the IMSSC Aris Dijksman was appointed unanimously as Honarary Member of the IMSSC.

A letter shall be written to all Speed Skating Associations of countries with IMSSC Members. In these letters the IMSSC shall introduce once more the respective IMSSC Member and ask the Associations to cooperate with them intensively (vote unanimously).

3 Decision about the place for the Games 2010

As reported by Dr. Serini, our Member Vladimir Tkachenko/RUS had no success in finding an organizer and in getting the permission from the authorities in Moscow to organize the Masters Games 2010 in the new Speed Skating Icehall Krylatskoe in Moscow despite a lot of efforts and activities.

But another solution was found by Dr. Ramir Kuramshin/RUS, President of the Interregional Masters’ Speed Skating Union of Russia. He got the permission of the authorities in Kolomna, Moscow Region, to organize the Masters’ International Games in 2010 in the new modern Speed Skating Kolomna Icehall. Kolomna is a town of about 150.000 inhabitants with a historical nice old town center, about 120 km northeast from Moscow. It can be reached easily from Moscow by train in 2 hours.

Dr. Kuramshin gave a detailed report about Kolomna and its new Icehall and about his successful efforts to get the permission of the authorities in Moscow Region/Kolomna to organize the Games 2010 in the Icehall of Kolomna. Upon this report and after a detailed discussion the IMSSC decided unanimously that the Masters’ International Games 2010 shall be in Kolomna/RUS.

Places for the Games 2008 – 2010:

2008 Erfurt/GER Gunda-Niemann-Stirnmemann Icehall

2009 Bjugn/NOR Fosen Icehall

2010 Kolomna/RUS Kolomna Icehall

4 Quota of Entries for the Games Erfurt/GER 2008

The Organizer of the 17^th Masters’ International Speed Skating Games,the Thüringer Eissport-Verband (Ice-Sports Federation of Thuringia), accepts 175 participants (respectively

206 entries, by experience about 15 % loss of participants by illness, etc.). The quota of entries for the different nations are CAN 12, FIN 9, GER 40, ITA 12, NED 50, NOR 35, RUS 15, SUI 12, USA 6, Other Nations 15, according to the unanimous decision of the IMSSC. If the Organizer in Erfurt is ready to heighten the number of participants, the additional entries shall be added to the quota of Other Nations.

5 Masters’ International Competitions besides the Games

5.1 Erfurt/GER

The IMSSC hopes, that a 4^th Masters’ International Criterion in Erfurt/GER (Icehall) can be organized in November 2007 besides the 17^th Masters’ International Games in February/March 2008. Dr. Serini will discuss this matter with the Ice-Sports Federation of Thuringia.

5.2 Baselga di Piné/ITA

It is planned that the Masters’ International Revival is organized again in December 2007 in Baselga di Pinè/ITA.

5.3 Hamar/NOR

The 6^th Masters’ International Single Distance Races Hamar/NOR (Icehall) will be held in January or February 2008.

5.4 Davos/SUI

The 9^th Masters International Meeting Davos/SUI will be organized in the mid of January 2008.

5.5 Inzell/GER

The 14^th Masters International Sprint Classics Inzell/GER will take place January/February 2008.

It has been discussed to have also Masters’ Sprint Games (Inofficial Masters’ Sprint World Championships) additional to the Masters Speed Skating Games (Inofficial Masters’ Allround World Championships). As the Allround Games these Sprint Games could be held every year in another country. There were discussed further possibilities (combination Sprint and Allround Games, alternating Allround and Sprint Games).

In the meaning of the signing secretary the IMSSC took the decision unanimously to change the name of the Masters’ International Sprint Classics in Inzell/GER to Masters’ Sprint Games in 2008, and to decide on the further action for 2009 at the next Winter Session of the IMSSC in Erfurt/GER. But the IMSSC Member NOR, Sven-Åge Svensson, after the session had the meaning that there was no decision and that he had not voted and that two other Members of the IMSSC would also have a differing opinion.

Because of this discrepancy the Sprint in Inzell will be held under the previous name in 2008 (see above). Decisions about Masters’ Sprint Games can be taken upon proposals by written word at the next Winter Session of the IMSSC.

5.6 Berlin/GER

The German Masters hope that the Masters’ International Master Cup in Berlin-Sportforum (Icehall) can again be held in February/March.

5.7 Heerenveen/NED

The 5^th Masters’ International Long Distance Races will be held at the end of March at a workday in the icehall of Heerenveen.

A Masters’ International Sprint Competition (500 m, 1000 m/500 m, 1000 m) will be organized workdays before the day with the Long Distance Races in the icehall of Heerenveen.

5.8 Calgary/CAN

It is planned, to organize Canadian Masters’ Open Championships, Allround Competitions, where foreign Masters can participate.

5.9 Moscow/RUS

The 3^rd Masters’ Grishin Memorial in the icehall Krylatskoe in Moscow shall be announced internationally for Mar 2008.

5.10 Masters International Competitions in USA

It was discussed, to organize a Masters’ International Sprint Competition in an icehall in USA besides the Masters’ International Open Championships in Milwaukee, which are mainly a mass start races.

6 Age Groups for Masters in CAN, NED, USA

In contrary to the definition of 5 year age groups, which are recommended by the International Masters’ Speed Skating Committee (IMSSC), other age group definitions are used in NED, USA and CAN. The age groups, recommended by the IMSSC, are used at the Masters International Speed Skating Games, the Inofficial World Championships of the Masters, and in the most countries where International Masters’ Competitions are organized. They are also used for the International Masters’ Record List (IMSSC Records). The competition age and the age groups of Masters are defined different in CAN, NED and USA.

IMSSC: Competition age of Masters is the age reached in the running competition season

1 Jul – 30 Jun. 5 year age groups are used.

CAN, NED, USA: Competition age of Masters is the age reached in the past competition season 1 Jul – 30 Jun. In CAN and USA the age groups are 10 year age groups, in the Netherlands there are 5 year age groups, but from 30 -39 years there is a ten year age group and there is only one age group for Masters from 65 years.

It would be much easier for the Masters’ International Speed Skating, if NED, USA and CAN would accept the IMSSC definition for the competition age of Masters also for their countries. In the ISU Rules there is no definition for the competition age of Masters. In the most International Sport Organizations the IMSSC Regulations are used for Masters.

The IMSSC office has written letters to the Speed Skating Associations of CAN, NED, USA and has asked them to change their age definition for Masters as decided by the IMSSC at the Winter Session 2006 in Helsinki. A change would be possible from season 2007/2008, if the Associations would follow the wish of the IMSSC. We are waiting for decisions of the Associations in Summer 2007. As reported by Bram de Vries, IMSSC-Member NED, the Dutch Speed Skating Association will accept the age definition of the IMSSC, but not change the age group organization. This would be a partial success.

7 Decisions on Proposals

There were proposals, which were submitted intime, and proposals, which were submitted after the deadline of the submission of proposals 09 Jan 2007. After a discussion of the reasons for the delayed proposals the IMSSC decided unanimously to accept also the delayed proposals. It was proposed that the IMSSC Office should early remind the IMSSC Members on proposals for the IMSSC Winter Session and on the deadline of proposals.

7.1 Proposal 1 (NOR):

Proposal concerning IMSSC Constitution, Article 3, last paragraph (of three)

Existing text:

The application of alterations of the IMSSC Constitution and Regulations has to be made only

by written word until 6 weeks before the winter session of the IMSSC .....

Proposed text:

The proposals for alterations of the IMSSC Constitution and Regulations has to be made only

by written word until 4 weeks before the winter session of the IMSSC .....

Reason:

It is better to use the term “proposals” instead of “applications”.

Furthermore 6 weeks seem to be more than necessary for preparations. It is not logical and not easy to remember. Some proposals may drop out. 4 weeks seems sufficient and is easier to remember.

The following altered text was accepted unanimously:

The proposals for alterations of the IMSSC Constitution and Regulations has to be made only

by written word until 6 weeks before the winter session of the IMSSC .....

7.2 Proposal 2 (NOR), withdrawn bei NOR, but held by NED,

see proposals delayed (NED)

Proposal concerning IMSSC Regulations, Rule 2.1.1, last paragraph (of two)

Existing text:

The distances for the Masters’ International Speed Skating Games are:

Ladies 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 30 – 65)

Ladies 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m (age groups 70 and higher)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m (age groups 30 – 65)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 70 and higher)

Proposed text:

The distances for the Masters’ International Speed Skating Games are:

Ladies 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 30 – 65)

Ladies 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m (age groups 70 and higher)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m (age groups 30 – 60)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 65 and higher)

Reason:

5000 m for the Age Group Men 65 means that skaters up to 69 years must skate the 5000m. Looking at the achieved times e.g. in Helsinki (up to 10:36 minutes) this seems to be quite hard and may explain the sudden drop in participation between AG 60 and 65 throughout the years (In Helsinki 2006: Age Group 60 = 30 participants, Age Group 65 = 9 participants).

The following altered text was accepted (10 positive votes, 1 abstention):

The distances for the Masters’ International Speed Skating Games are:

Ladies 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 30 – 60)

Ladies 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m (age groups 65 and higher)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m (age groups 30 – 60)

Men 500 m, 3000 m, 1000 m, 3000 m (age groups 65 and higher)

7.3 Proposal 3 (NOR):

Proposal concerning IMSSC Regulations, Rule 3.2, Single Distances and Allround Competitions

Existing text:

IMSSC Records will be registered by the IMSSC for the following single distances (times) and three and four distance competitions (grand total number of points).

Single distances: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m, 10000 m (Ladies)

500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m, 10000 m (Men)

Three and four distances competitions (sum of points):

Ladies Allround Small 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m

Ladies Allround 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m

Ladies Sprint 500 m, 1000 m, 500 m, 1000 m

Men Allround Small 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m

Men Allround 500 m, 3000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m

Men Sprint 500 m, 1000 m, 500 m, 1000 m

Proposed text:

(last paragraph)

Men Allround Big 500 m, 5000 m, 1500 m, 10000 m

Men Allround Small 500 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m

Men Allround 500 m, 3000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m

Men Sprint 500 m, 1000 m, 500 m, 1000 m

Reason:

The distances specified as Allround Big are now part of the IMSSC competition program, and consequently it should be possible to register IMSSC Records.

The proposal was accepted unanimously.

7.4 Proposal 4 (NOR):

Proposal concerning IMSSC Regulations, Rule 3.3, Applications, third paragraph (of five)

Existing text:

If there is no IMSSC Member or Organizer of the Competition who makes an IMSSC Record

Application, the competitor who has lowered an IMSSC Record may make an application for

an IMSSC Record also by himself. The competitor must only send one set of the following

documents to the Mailing Address of the IMSSC (IMSSC, Dr. Volker Serini, Sebastian-

Kneipp-Weg 2, D-47802 Krefeld, GERMANY): Official announcement (if not issued in the

IMSS-News), Official Competition Program (timetable), Official Protocol of the results and a

filled in Official IMSSC Record Application Form.

Proposed text:

If there is no IMSSC Member or Organizer of the Competition who makes an IMSSC Record

Application, the competitor who has lowered an IMSSC Record may make an application for

an IMSSC Record also by himself. The competitor must only send one set of the following

documents to the IMSSC Statistician (Sven-Åge Svensson, Simensbraatveien 23 B, N-1182 Oslo, NORWAY) and one further set of the necessary documents to the Mailing Address of the IMSSC (IMSSC, Dr. Volker Serini, Sebastian-Kneipp-Weg 2, D-47802 Krefeld, GERMANY). …

Reason:

The IMSSC Statistician should be the primary addressee of any record application.

The proposal was accepted unanimously.

7.5 Delayed Proposal 5 (CAN)

Proposal concerning the competition program of the Games, IMSSC Rule 2.1.1

We would like to see the annual games offer a sprint division at the event in the future.

Reasons:

We feel there are enough skaters that would choose this option that it would reduce the number of skaters in the all around competition to a number that would remove some of the time constraints that result with the 3000 and 5000 m races. This event is the best attended Master Event and we feel it would be fair to all skaters.

The proposal was rejected (2 affirmative votes, 9 negative votes, 0 abstentions).

7.6 Delayed Proposal 6 (CAN):

Proposal concerning a New International Masters’ Competition:

We would like to approach the Olympic Oval to offer a single distance Master's Competition during the finale. This competition would run under all of our rules. However we do not wish to approach them without the approval of the IMSSC.

The proposal was withdrawn by CAN.

7.7 Delayed Proposal 7 (NED):

Proposal 6 is the same as Proposal 2 from the Norwegian member and can be incorporated in that proposal.

See accepted proposal 2.

7.8 Delayed Proposal 8 (NED):

Concerning New Masters’ Sprint Championships:

Proposal 2 is to create a sprintchampionship with a 500m and 1000m on the first day and a 500m and a 1000m on the second day in the same way as the regular W.C.

The sprint championship can be incorporated in the allround championship

and every participant can give his preference. If there are sufficient

particpants for both championships they can take place otherwise the

championship with the majority of preferences can be held.

Reasons:

A lot of skaters don't like the the longer distances and simply do

not appear. Besides it saves time and consequently more participants can be

accepted.

Incorporated in Proposal 5 (CAN), but rejected.

7.9 Delayed Proposal 9 (NED):

Concerning the introduction of limit times:

Proposal 3 is to introduce a maximum time on the 1500m for participation per

age group.

Reasons:

Some participants are not able to skate in a way that you can speak

about speedskating and that is not the way to promote our activities for the

ISU and/or the media.

The proposal was rejected (1 affirmative vote, 9 negative votes, 0 abstentions).

7.10 Delayed Proposal 10 (NED):

Proposal concerning the IMSSC Constitution, Article 3, paragraph 2:

Existing text:

The IMSSC can take decisions by vote only at the winter session ……….

Proposed text:

The IMSSC can take decisions at any time that it will be necessary to do so by voting per email and/or regular mail.

Reason:

As it is now you can loose a whole skating season by not taking a decision until the wintersession will take place.

Accepted with the following altered text (7 positive votes, 3 negative votes, 0 abstentions):

The IMSSC takes decisions by vote mainly at the winter session (in conjunction with the Masters’ International Speed Skating Games), the summer session is only a working session. There is a possibility to vote by email and/or regular mail between the sessions. The initiator must organize the voting by presenting the proposal to the members and ask for an accept of such a vote, allowing 1 months grace time. The initiator must distribute the result of the initial voting. If a minimum of 75 % accepted a voting, the initiator may request the votes for the proposal itself within a specific time at least one month in the future.

8 Activities oth the ISU Masters Speed Skating Group (IMSSG)

Answer of the ISU to the Proposals of the IMSSG

The Proposals of the IMSSG to the ISU Council for the incorporation of the most important Masters’ Rules into the ISU Rules and for the recognition of Masters’ World Championships and Masters’ World Records were not diccussed in detail by the ISU Council at the Meeting in Oct 2006 because there was planned an extensive reorganization of the ISU, which had to be decided at the ISU Congress in summer 2006.

A meeting in Inzell/GER has been planned by Dr. Volker Serini and Mr. Gerhard Zimmermann, 1st ISU Vice President, for summer 2007, to discuss the further line of action.

A visit in the ISU Office in Lausanne is planned too for summer 2007.

The ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta invited Dr. Volker Serini to take part in the ISU Congress in Budapest 25.06. – 01.07.2006 as representative of the International Masters. At this Congress Dr. Serini had conversations with the representatives Mr. Gregg Planert (CAN), Mr. Nick Thometz (USA), and Mr. A. J. Augustinus (NED) about the problem of different age groups (IMSSC has other Masters’ age groups than Masters in CAN, USA, NED, see 6). They are ready to help to find solutions in their countries to adopt the IMSSC 5 year age groups. Dr. Serini will hold contact with them to find a solution of the age group problems.

The IMSSG is again complete. The IMSSG voted for Andrew Love/USA as new Member of the IMSSG for America. His Membership has still to be confirmed by the ISU Council.

9 Financial Situation

The last cash audit for the IMSSC account ”Dr. Volker Serini, Redaktion IMSS-News” covers the time till 3 Nov 2001. The settlement of the IMSSC acount ”Dr. Volker Serini, Redaktion IMSS-News” was done for the rest time 2001 (4 Nov 2001 – 31.12.2001), for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Tables of Income and Expenditures for these years were presented by Dr. Volker Serini and discussed at the 24th IMSSC Session Helsinki, Finland, 02.03.2006. These tables and the necessary records for the cash audit were sent to the cash auditor of the IMSSC, Mr. Roland Hagemann/Frankfurt am Main/GER, at the 8 Feb 2006. The cash audit was completed in the meantime and was presented at the Session of the IMSSC in Calgary.

The report on the cash audit by the cash auditor Roland Hagemann confirms that ”The applications of the funds was orderly proved”. The IMSSC accepted the conduction of the

account by Dr. Volker Serini for the years up to 31.12.2005 (vote: 6 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, 2 abstentions) .

Additionally the table of Income and Expenditures for 2006 for the IMSSC Account was already presented by Dr. Volker Serini. These tables and the necessary records for the cash audit will be sent to the cash auditor of the IMSSC, Mr. Roland Hagemann/Frankfurt am Main/GER. The cash audit will be presented at the 28th IMSSC Session in Erfurt/GER 28 Feb 2008.

The IMSSC-Member NOR, Sven-Aage Svensson, critisized that the item ”Office Costs Dr. Volker Serini” under Expenditures was not split up into its single positions in the Tables Income and Expenditures. Dr. Serini answered that obviously the cash auditor did not find this to be necessary. If it would have been necessary this could have been done. He said further that every IMSSC Member of the Session could have a look into the List of the single costs of the Office in detail at the Session or later if wanted. And he proposed to Mr. Svensson to discuss this matter with the cash auditor.

The settlement of the IMSSC account shows an account balance of EUR 93,46 at the 31.12.05, debt claims of EUR 1472,00 and liabilities of EUR 811,95. The sum of the account balance 93,46 and debt claims 1472,00 minus the liabilities 811,95 shows the surplus for 2005 of EUR 753,51.

The Estimated Income and Expenditures for 2007 which was handed over as table to the participants of the Session show that there is probably a surplus of about EUR 1153,51 in 2007.

10 Miscellaneous

10.1 Masters’ Shorttrack

There seems to be a considerable interest under Short Track Masters also to organize International Short Track Speed Skating Competitions for Masters. The IMSSC Members do not see the possibility also to promote Shorttrack because of many additional and different problems compared with Speed Skating. A separate Masters’ International Short Track Committee (IMSTC) should be organized by the interested Masters of the different Nations with Masters Short Track Speed Skating.

With best regards

INTERNATIONAL MASTERS’ SPEED SKATING COMMITTEE (IMSSC)

V. Serini

(Dr. Volker Serini)

Attachment: IMSSC Constitution and Rules

IMSSC Members List

MIS071-Minutes-26^thSessIMSSC-CalgaryCAN-04-49

IMSSC Members:

Hubert Kreutz (AUT), Willy Caboor (BEL), Brett F. Arnason (CAN), Petr Novàk (CZE), Indrek Aarna, Ph.D. (EST),

Matti Kilpeläinen(FIN), Dr. Volker Serini (GER), Antonio Nitto (ITA), Jae-Seok Choi (KOR), Lasma Kauniste (LAT),

Bram de Vries (NED), Sven-Åge Svensson (NOR), Miklos Jenei (ROM), Vladimir Tkachenko (RUS), Markus Ulmer (SUI), Donald Drielsma (SWE), Andrew Love (USA)

IMSSC Honarary Members:

Roland Hagemann (GER), Dominik Wehling (GER), Aris J. Dijksman (NED), Drs. Harry G. Falke (NED), Peter Reimann (SUI)