Mucho news in Vancouver newspapers

Hamelin, Tremblay lead Canada in short-track
CBC Sports

"We all had good times in the first round," said François Hamelin. "We were all first on the start line, so it was the strategy that made sense: go out fast, make sure you stay there, so you don't need to risk passes."

Canada's Francois Hamelin leads Thibaut Fauconnet of France as they turn into the corner during their 500-metre heat. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

Speed skating: West set to break Quebec's short track dominance
Gary Kingston, Vancouver Sun October 25, 2008

For hard-core short track speed skating fans in Canada, the names we're about to rattle off are synonymous with international success. Even for Canadians who only care at Olympic time, they can bring a knowing nod.

Marianne St-Gelais #323 of Canada leads Katerina Novotna #334 of the Czech Republic as they turn into the corner during their 500m heat at the ISU World Cup Speed short track speed skating.
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Western wonders
For years, Canadian short track has been dominated by Quebecers. But with four Calgary-based athletes on the national team, and an increased focus on the sport pre-2010, there soon may be a new source of talent
Gary Kingston, Vancouver Sun - October 25, 2008

Jessica Hewitt of Kamloops finished second in a 1,000-metre preliminary race.

"The sport of short track, I don't know if it was necessarily born in Quebec, but it was definitely one of the beginning hot spots where it was developed," says Michael Gilday.

Gilday, in his second year on the national team, was born in Iqaluit, Nunavut, grew up in Yellowknife, and currently trains in Calgary. So he's about as far from a Quebecer as you can get, even if he is bilingual, thanks to years in French immersion.¨[...]

"They're battling not only to get onto the circuit, but to get out of that sort of feeling that the sport's dominated by athletes from the East," said Cavar. "It's a sheer numbers game. There are a few athletes up against many. But they feel like 'we are capable, we can do anything that we have to out in the West in order to be on the top of the podium and make the team at the Olympics.''

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Hewitt displays heart
22-year-old moves past DQ at World Cup event in B.C.
Gary Kingston, Canwest News Service - October 25, 2008

Jessica Hewitt's bold late-race gamble didn't pay off Friday, but the ISU World Cup short-track speedskating rookie from Kamloops, B.C., wasn't fretting her disqualification.

In her mind, it was like getting a merit badge for trying.

"The problem was, I hesitated," said Hewitt. "The girl in front of me slipped and I had my speed built up. I went for second and at the last moment, I saw first open. I was kind of questioning whether I should or shouldn't go. But when you're questioning it, by that time it's too late."

Canadians on track in Vancouver
MATTHEW SEKERES - October 25, 2008

VANCOUVER -- The well-worn Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver's east end is a far cry from suburban Montreal, but for Canada's first family of short-track speed skating, it is beginning to feel like home. The Hamelins of Sainte-Julie, Que. - father Yves, the top short-track official for Speed Skating Canada, and sons Charles and François, both Olympic hopefuls - first came here in July, and will be frequent visitors between now and the 2010 Winter Games. More »»»

Six Canadians qualify for 500-metre quarters at short-track World Cup event
Canadian Press - October 25

"We all had good times in the first round," said Charles Hamelin. "We were all first on the start line, so it was the strategy that made sense: go out fast, make sure you stay there, so you don't need to risk passes."