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Adam Buchwald has a need for speed
By SCOTT TAYLOR
For those speed skaters who have to compete against Adam Buchwald, it’s probably worth warning them that the 14-year-old Winnipegger has come by his speed and skill quite naturally.
After all, his sisters, Rachael and Serena, were both skaters. Serena is now on a Diving Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh while Rachael, a science student at the University of Manitoba travelled the world with competitive dance. Meanwhile, his mom, Tracy Leipsic, was a national speed skating champion who medaled in the Canada Winter Games.
So, while most Manitobans don’t know of the next one, Adam, in the long line of Buchwald athletes, it won’t be long before they do.
That’s because, this Grade 9 student at St. Paul’s High School, just produced a tremendous performance at the 2020 Canadian Youth Long Track Championships in Red Deer, Alta.
Buchwald was second overall in the 13-year-old boys’ category, finished second in the seven-lap mass start, was third in the 500-metre Olympic style race, was second in the 1,500-metre pack-style race and won his age group class in the Dave Thompson Memorial 12 lap mass start.
The CYLTC, formerly known as Canadian Age Class Championships, was held Feb. 9-10 in Alberta. Skaters aged 11-15 had the opportunity to compete against the top athletes in their age category from across Canada. Athletes competed in six events, which included a variety of different competition styles. There were pack skating events, mass start events, Olympic style events, and team pursuit events. Team Manitoba had 13 athletes in total at the competition and accumulated 13 medals, two championship titles, and won three of the Dave Thompson Memorial races. Buchwald was one of those winners.
Pretty good for a kid who was also a good young hockey player but followed in his family’s blades and committed full-time to speed skating.
“I started skating when I was 4 because Serena and my other sister Rachel were skating, but mostly because of my mom,” said Adam. “My mom skated a lot when she was younger and I just wanted to do what my sisters were doing.
“Like Serena, I did a little bit of diving, but it wasn’t for me. I’m not a huge fan of swimming.”
His mom, is a minor legend in Manitoba speed skating circles. Tracy Leipsic, is a coach at the Winnipeg Central Speed Skating Club, a competition meet starter and the VP of Finance for the Manitoba Speed Skating Association. In the 1980s, she was as good as any female skater in Canada. She’s a national and North American champion who medaled at the Canada Games. In 2018, she was named to the board of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
“Many of my friends are speed skaters from back in the day and now Adam is skating with their kids,” Leipsic said with a laugh. “It’s awesome to watch him be so passionate about it. He’s having success now and it’s great to watch. He’s gained a lot of experience and is now gaining a lot of confidence to go with it.”
It’s not always easy to be a long track speed skater in Manitoba. Training in January at the Susan Auch Oval can be cold. Really, really cold. But it doesn’t even concern Buchwald. He loves what he does and it shows. He’s successful, but he’s also becoming a star in two separate disciplines. Not only is he No. 2 in his age group in Canada in long track, he’s also a successful short-track skater. In fact, he’ll tell you he likes short track better than long track.
“I started with short track and moved on to long track and that’s probably why I still lean toward short track,” he said. “Most competitive skaters in Manitoba do both.
“Why I love speed skating so much is actually kind of interesting,” Adam continued. “There is a team aspect to it, but it’s more of an individual sport within the team. You still feel you are part of a team even though you’re racing by yourself. I also like the competition, the strategy and the speed. That’s a big part of it.”
To be fair to both Buchwald and the skaters he competes against, the ability to go fast on both 17 -inch short track blades or 18-inch long track blades isn’t something he was born with. The fact he comes from a skating family certainly guided him toward the oval and the rink, but the reason for his success is a lot more than genetic.
He loves the sport so much that he dug deep for a favourite skater. In fact, his all-time fave is not a multiple world-champion Dutch skater or even a Canadian. It’s Vladislav Bykanov, the 30-year-old Israeli short tracker who competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea and won the gold medal in the 3,000-metres at the 2015 and 2018 European Championships. Tracy and his dad Richard Buchwald even purchased Bykanov’s Olympic skin suit as a gift for Adam’s bar mitzvah.
Still, despite his passion for the sport and his knowledge of the greats, he credits his coaches, above all else, for his success.
“I’ve become successful mostly because of my coaches and the support I get from my parents, family and teammates,” he said. “But mostly the coaches. They’ve been training us super hard for all of these different competitions this year. Will Dutton and Tyler Derraugh are very good coaches.
“And the reason we’ve been successful as a team this year is the super hard training that Will and Tyler have put us through. It’s paid off. I had a number of personal bests in this last meet in February and that’s really what I strive for first whenever I skate in competition.”
Not surprisingly, in his biography page in the 2019 Canada Winter Games Handbook, he says that “Tyler Williamson Derraugh is my role model.”
“You hope, for all the work your child puts in, he’ll be successful, but he is very fortunate to have the coaching he gets in Winnipeg,” said his mom. “I mean, to have two coaches like Will Dutton and Tyler Derraugh here in a small province is really amazing. They’re among the best coaches in the country and because of their work and the hard work of the team members, Manitoba’s High Performance Program is among the most successful in the country.”
There is very little doubt that Adam is committed to the sport. According to his mom, now that he’s 14, he becomes a junior next season. Junior means he’ll skate against the best young athletes in Canada between the ages of 14-19. Adam’s goal is to be the only 14-year-old to qualify for national trials.
In the meantime, he’ll skate next at the Western Canadian Short Track Championships in Selkirk in the middle of March.
“He’s been successful and it’s nice to see,” said his mom. “Last year, he went to the Canada Games and had to be approved by Speed Skating Canada because he was too young. He has the speed and he’s also very coachable.
“Now, it’s just nice to see him have so much success considering all the hard work he’s put in.”
Features
5 Ways to Carve Out Gym Time in Your Life
From rewriting your brain and sticking to a disciplined workout regime, find the top 5 ways to carve out adequate gym time in your daily routine.
A Brief Introduction
It can be a hassle to find the time to work out if you are busy with everyday responsibilities. By incorporating a few practical strategies into your daily life, you can start being consistent with your gym routine.
- Remember Your Motivation to Prioritize
If you’re trying to be consistent, you need to know why you started out. People may have different reasons to commit their time to the gym. Be it to build muscles, lose weight, deal with stress, or improve overall health, having a clear vision of your goal will help you stick to it. With your reason to start always on your mind, you will now have a reason to keep showing up, day in and day out. This helps cut out excuses and prioritize your wellbeing.
- Reduce Your Barrier to Start
The more hurdles you keep on your way to start, the harder it will be to continue with your habit. The easy solution is to cut down on the effort it takes to get started. Pick an accessible gym over a fancier one that you would need to go out of your way to visit. By picking a gym along the route of your daily routine, you can seamlessly incorporate working out as part of your day. Be it near your workplace or your home, the location makes hitting the gym convenient.
It also helps if you plan ahead. Be it your preworkout, your protein shake, or other health supplements from flexpharma.is, make sure you are restocking before you run out. Anabolic steroids are possibly one of the most popular items that have methandrostenolone. Injectables, fat burners, and fusion steroids are some of the trending fitness products that have been creating a buzz across the world.
Keep your gym bag ready to go and lay out your workout gear ahead of time so that you are left with no excuses.
- Get a Gym Buddy for Accountability
Nothing helps drive athletes more than having a sense of community and camaraderie. People interested in weight training already know about the importance of a spotter. Having a friend, a partner, or a peer in the gym will help keep you on track to consistency. This also provides a sense of community, making it more rewarding to attend workout sessions regularly and push each other towards breaking new personal records.
- Incorporate Workouts in Your Daily Activities
It is impossible to make it to the gym every day without fail, be it due to work, family, or other responsibilities. For those days, make it a habit to not skip your workouts. There are many home workout videos and apps available that offer a range of exercise options with little to no equipment. You can start with mini-workouts like planks or squats during short breaks. It can even be as simple as going for a quick stroll for five minutes while stuck at work if you are pressed for time. The easiest way to increase your fitness and stamina is through Sermorelin, Semaglutide, and other cutting-edge peptides to start with.
- Rewire Your Brain
Science talks about neuroplasticity and the power of the positive feedback loop. Without having to learn more about cognitive sciences, you can still make use of these hacks to trick your brain into enjoying training. For every achievement, celebrate yourself. Be it a happy shout of victory on breaking a personal record or getting a new flavor of protein bar, with every celebratory action, you reinforce the positive effect of being consistent at the gym. By creating a positive experience, you make it easier for your brain to stay engaged and consistent at the gym.
Conclusion
It takes careful planning to commit to gym life. While hard work is always rewarded in the gym, in order to get to the gym day in and day out, you also need to work smart. By removing the common hurdles and being dedicated, you can make sure you reach your personal wellness goal.
Features
When will we most likely see an NFL expansion team from Canada?
It’s currently the middle of August, meaning that the biggest sporting show in North America doesn’t start for another three weeks. On September 5, the curtain will come down on the new NFL season as the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosts Baltimore Ravens at Arrowfield Stadium.
It’s not just Americans that love football though, the game and in particular the NFL is hugely popular north of the border here in Canada. Every week millions of Canadians tune in to cheer on their favourite teams and keep refresh their phones to find out the latest NFL standings.
What though, are the chances of Canadian NFL fans checking their phones to see how a Canadian team is doing in the standings? Read on to find out.
The History of NFL Expansion into Canada
Broadly there are two camps in Canada when it comes to NFL expansion. Those on one side of the debate claim that they don’t need an NFL team and that having one would cause harm to their own domestic competition.
On the other side of the battlefield are those who claim that the NFL is more popular in Canada than its own domestic league and that it is baffling that millions of Canadians are forced to support American teams when they could be supporting one of their own in the NFL.
Traditionally the second camp has been winning the argument, but only just. Which explains why many attempts for an NFL expansion into the country have failed, as the physical barriers to overcome have been, at times, overshadowed by the ideological ones.
From around 1975 to 2015, there have been numerous attempts to set up a franchise in Canada – particularly in Toronto – but none have taken hold. The closest that we have gotten to NFL action north of the border was when the Buffalo Bills played six regular season games at the Rogers Centre between 2008 to 2013.
(The fans might have loved the Toronto series, but it’s safe to say the Bill’s players didn’t particularly enjoy it.)
What’s Stopping Expansion?
Currently the argument for expansion is gaining momentum, but despite that there are still substantial obstacles to overcome. The key one is that there is no current suitable venue that the NFL see as being able to sustain a franchise.
In terms of supporter numbers, Toronto is the only feasible location for an NFL franchise. With a metropolitan population in excess of 6 million and an estimated football viewing audience of just under a million, it is by far and away the standout contender to host an NFL team.
Unfortunately, The Rogers Centre has since been turned into an exclusively baseball venue since being used as a temporary home for the Bills back in 2013. The next alternative in Toronto is BMO Field, the home of MLS side Toronto FC.
Whilst the 31,000 seater stadium is perfectly serviceable for MLS, its capacity puts it at below half of the average capacity of an NFL stadium (70,000).
What the Future Holds for Canadian NFL Expansion
There are three possibilities for a Canadian NFL expansion. The first is that the 18,000 seat expansion to BMO field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup satisfies the NFL. That would bring the total capacity at the stadium to just under 50,000, which would still make it the smallest stadium in the NFL but only by around 10,000 seats.
Or, that the stadium can be further expanded to bring it into line with other NFL venues and thus remove one huge obstacle to expansion. The other alternative is that work begins on a purpose built venue with the backing of local businessman and American entrepreneurs who are keen to see NFL played regularly in Canada.
Potential Timeframes
If the first two stadium possibilities are possible then we could see a Toronto based NFL team at the end of the decade. That’s a best case scenario. The most likely however is that BMO Field is deemed unsuitable for the NFL, leaving another venue to be found.
Unfortunately, 70,000 seater stadiums aren’t cheap and finding someone to finance a project of that size without the guarantee of an NFL franchise is highly unlikely. Until then, it looks like we’ll have to continue backing our own domestic league and enjoying the NFL from afar…
Features
Common Online Casino Mistakes To Avoid
Online casino games can be a brilliant way to bring excitement to life in your spare time. These games have become hugely popular in recent years, but you will find that people often make the same mistakes. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, cybercrime, and an inferior experience, so it is important to be aware of what these mistakes are so that they can be avoided. This post will outline a few of the most common mistakes people make when playing online casino games and explain how to avoid falling into the same trap. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Ignoring Terms & Conditions
One of the biggest mistakes players make with online casino games is ignoring the terms and conditions. You should always take the time to read through these, paying close attention to things like the conditions of bonuses and restrictions in withdrawals. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises when playing games.
Not Researching Casinos
Another common mistake people make is not researching casinos. There are endless options for online casinos, but not all are equal, and there are even many that are unlicensed. Therefore, you need to research casinos and find one that is fully licensed and has positive reviews. The best casinos will have a massive selection of games to choose from, including blackjack online. A wide selection of games means it is hard to get bored, and you can always find something to play.
Chasing Losses
One of the most dangerous mistakes people make is chasing losses. This is where players will attempt to win back the money they have lost, which often means betting larger sums. This is a dangerous tactic and a slippery slope, so it is important to be aware of it and take measures to protect against it. The best way to avoid chasing losses is to set a budget before each session – if you spend that amount, you need to be able to walk away.
Not Understanding Games
It is always important to have a strong understanding of the game that you are playing. This will boost your chances of winning and your gaming experience. Therefore, you should always read the instructions when playing a game for the first time. For strategic games like poker, there is a lot of information online that will help you get to grips with the basics and learn strategies to use.
Weak Passwords
Cybersecurity needs to be a top priority when it comes to online casino games. The top casinos will have strong cybersecurity measures in place, but you also have a role to play. It is important to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent hackers. It is also smart to avoid having large sums held in your online account in case someone hacks your account.
These are the most common mistakes that you will want to avoid when it comes to online casino games. By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your experience and enjoy the excitement that these games can bring.
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