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The French connection j >ust too tough for skater By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Elizabeth Wild has learned an invaluable lesson in her pursuit of speed skating stardom - beware of the French connection. Last spring a wide-eyed Wild, then 15, captured gold at the North American Age Class Short Track Speed Skating Championships, entering as an unseed- ed long shot and ending as the Cinderella victor. The Bishop Reding student soon learned, however, that defending the titie would be far more difficuit than winning it withQuebec's finest thrown into the mix. "Quebec didn't send a team last year but since this season's event was held in St. John's, NB, almost every province was represented except for British Columbia," said Elizabeth of the March 27 to 29 cross-border showcase. The bolstered field meant good news and bad news for the local skater - good in that she was able to say she battled the absolute best, bad because it cost her a championship repeat. Elizabeth improved on ail four distance races- including the I ,000-metre in whicb she trimmed a full second off her personal best - but still had to settle for fifth overaîl. She was swept out of medal contention solely by Quebec skaters who took irst through fourth. Leading the way was gold medalist Melody Michaud of Montreal. Quebec's contingent continued their dominance a week later in Cbarlebourg at the Canadian Championships - which by Elizabeth's own admis- sion actually represents a higher level of competition than the annual North American finals. "ýCanada is much stronger overaîl than the US. but we only send certain provinces to the North Americans each year. Competition is much stiffer at our nationals," she explained. Elizabeth placed sixth overaîl at the Canadians, missing a chance to medal due to a heartbreaking fali in the 500m sprint. Her best efforts came in the 1,000 and I1,500m races Elizabeth Wild is pictured here lest spring with her North American gold medal. Despite improvedi times this season, ah. had ta solfie for fifth. where she clocked in at 1:43.01 and 2:41.09 respec- tively and took fourtb-place honours in each. Her 1 ,000m finish was a personal best. Despite being shut out in the medal department, Elizabeth said she made significant improvements this year - thanks mainly to a more intense strength and condîtioning program through the off-season. "The competition gets better each year so you have to work harder and harder 10 succeed," said Elizabeth, who' s hoping to crack the top two at the World Junior Trials next season in Kitchener. She took sixth in December. Her speed skating sibling Mark, 23, came up short in is Olympic qualifying bid this past winter. He took l6th spot, with only the top six Canadians eamning the trip 10 Nagano. Mark was somewhat dis- appointed witb is finish - baving hoped to place top 10 - but later took solace in the fact that be was beat- en by the world's best. "Canada bas such strong speed skaters, wbo took nine of the 15 medals we won in Nagano," be said. fhe CÎnadîàn iànhapion ,. day Ap'24' 8-9 DRAW DATE:RAY181 ~Pictured at loft are Peter and Cindy ,. Webb, Hemlock Cres., the lucky wlnners of the Electro Pure Exclusive Edition SVacuum Cleaner (value $800.00.) first prIze ln the "9Subscribers Oniy" monthly draw CograulaIon onyour wln!i ~iT~'-1Mr. Ross Mitchell of MountainView Dr. looks r~ like he'll enjoy the delicious fruit basket ~j49 which was our second prize this month valued at $45.00 Mrs. D. Smith of Childs Dr. was the Lucky Winner of $25 worth of Spring bulbs in a large planter. Donated by Milton Country Depot. Emnplogee Ap*rcS4ation Mwaureen, Kim, Sherry, Corte THE BEST YETI! ROBERT (PIE) LEE, B.Sc. LIFE INSURANCE AGENCY I ife a Dsabilitv Income a Annuites a PRFs Insurance Agency Ltd. Group Life & Health & Pension HEATHER, Thank you for making ourjob easier. !C ARLE - s EL IN L 878-1663 389 BRONTE ST. N. <Corner of Steeles & Bronte) 24ZOMMERCAL U. muu. 0 fo mc. C 9- à- - -- --- Main Street *àHetter TakCat:hy, Lois Realty - Realtor Plfâ HarThGrdels you for doing a great job. Ti'aOey, CaoI, Jeananne, Pionna end .Çheton TW I SS FU ELS *W. appmcIata you' 32 878-6380 878-4444 1 167 Main St. E., Milton 3 Steeles Ave., Unit 15, Milton GRE7TA & VAL Thanks for ail your hard wvork and dedication. M IS M2ti2, 17 1E ~. Idh2td wotk 409 Main St. E. Milton 878-2355 878-0554 88 Main St. E., Milton 9'km4faoe/Thank you to the #1 Quality Service Team at Bruce Hood Travel, for the dedication and quality service you provide W. Hedley Grieves to ail our travel clients. Steven P Kier 24 Martin~ St. 878-8843 878-1179 16 Mairtin trSuot. <Dc»wnitowwn> 7-2 a