Speed Skate World- By Peter Doucet- Online Since 1999

I came to France to skate & train with some of the best skaters & coaches with the ultimage goal of getting faster. I love to race. I really get a kick out of skating. I’m higly stimulated by the difficult challenges that this sport offers.

By now, I hope that you have figured out that I am a massive fan of roller speed skating.

In part, SSW is a public reflection of my appreciation of racing on skates. It’s an hommage; an electronic high-five to all those who immerse themselves in speed skating. It’s a toast to the people of give a part of themselves to the sport, and in doing so, become themselves an import part of speed skating’s vast, rich, and intricate fabric.

On that note, I’m pleased and honoured to share pictures that Francois & Marie shot of Yann Guyader, Morgane Echardour, and I practicing on Sunday evening.

I’m pleased because IMO, the pictures look good. They’re shot by Francois & Marie who have a keen eye for finding the right angle to shoot. They have the instinct of good timing and patience & persistence that are necessary in capturing good skating action shots.

I’m honoured because Francois & Marie, fine people and good photographers, have me on their radar screen- they invited Morgane and I over to their house for some wine before we leave for Spain for the World Championships. I’m also honoured because I’m sharing the track and skating with Yann Guyader, one of the best in the business.

*FYI- While in France, I’ve had many opportunities to drink plenty of wine. The stuff is dirt cheap and of very high quality. I’ve stayed away from wine and alcohol here as I do back home in Mississauga, except for two or three times where I drank the bottom of a wine glass.

There was one other occasion where I drank a bit more (not excessively) in mid-July at one of Morgane’s cousin’s party. The party, a typical one for the 60-70 party goers, took place at a hall in a convent, and involved camping, lots of food, a 1am massive BBQ cookout, a 6:30am massive BBQ cookout, lots of French people, live music, very little sleep for many of the people, and more. I even got to sing & play guitar accompanied by Morgane’s cousin on the saxophone & accordion, a bass player, and a drummer.

Click here for the pictures and/ or check out the slide-show here.

Yann Guyader’s sweet boots- photo from François & Marie

SSW staffer Peter Doucet leading Yann Guyader- photo from François & Marie

Morgane Echardour following Yann Guyader who’s about to squeak by in the inside- photo from François & Marie

Morgane Echardour leading for the money shot- photo from François & Marie

Yann Guyader rips it up on his home track- photo from François & Marie