Long Track Speed Skating

Speed skater Shannon Rempel, 26, of Winnipeg ranked third overall in the 1,000 metres and fifth in the 1,500 in the World Cup last season. Chosen recently for the Vancouver 2010 Games team, this will be her second Olympics. She won a silver medal in team pursuit in the 2006 Turin Games.

What's it like racing on a team with Cindy Klassen and Clara Hughes, who have a huge collection of medals at home? Has it been intimidating, or is it flattering?

It's kind of hard not to feel like you're the weakest link, kind of, but there are things I can contribute, and things they can contribute. I have more top-end speed than Clara but she can go forever, you know. And so we just kind of work that into the team pursuit and use our advantages and put the team together.

Is there information swapping, advice?

For sure. Like I trained in a group with Clara and Christina [Nesbitt] so they've helped a lot. It's not even like we sit down and share things, it's kind of daily basis, and they lead by example, the way that they train, and the intensity that they have. They know when it's time to shut up and train hard, and just kind of when to put stuff away, and kind of pick and choose your battles.

Tell me how you got involved in the sport. Long track.

I did start on short track, even competed until I was 15. I was on skates from the day I could walk, basically two blades on boots. We had probably 10 rinks within a kilometre of my house, and my dad [Richard] was one of those people who helped make the ice on outdoor rinks in Winnipeg. It was great having a really active family growing up. I tried probably every sport imaginable. And when I was 11, one of my friends asked me to come skate, because I played ringette, and that's kind of where it all began. Bring a friend night - and I was a friend.

And when you say her helped make the outdoor rinks, is that with a fireman's hose at night in 35 below?

In Winnipeg, absolutely 35 below. Just an outdoor hockey rink. I didn't even know speed skating was a sport until I started. I became involved, and now both my parents volunteer with speed skating back in Manitoba.
I have a music question for you in a second.
Oh no! [laughs] We've noticed a difference with you and some of your teammates with regards to a musical taste. They sort of jump off the page. Okay, so Nesbitt: my favourite music is old time jazz and blues. Gross: my favourite music is folk, Ian and Sylvia. Rempel: my favourite music is hip hop. So how do you all even get along?

Oh, it's evident! It's evident! How do you even get along?

There are definitely differences with us, like different styles within the team. Like I like shopping, I like fashion you know, those kind of things. They probably could care less about that. Yeah, the music. Very different. Thankfully there's I-pods! In the old days, someone would have got to control the ghetto blaster in the locker room. I don't know what we would have done then. I have no idea.

What hip hop artists do you like?

Kind of depends on the time. But Kanye West is one of my favourites.
Raise a Reader and the MS society, how did you get involved?
My mom [Shirley] is one of those people who always buys books for kids, you know? And then my cousin's kids, she's always buying books for them. For the MS society, my best friend [Crystal] was diagnosed with MS a couple years ago, and my mom has MS so that one is kind of, that one is a little bit closer to home and is important to me.

Do your parents watch your competitions?

They come to all the competitions in North America. If it's in Calgary, they usually drive.

Really?

Oh yeah. We're from Manitoba. We drive everywhere. I can't count how many times I've driven to Calgary when I was younger. It's 12 hours.Load up the van and go. I'm really close with my family, so it's nice that they can be there. It's different when you can speak with them on the phone, than they're there to be there, I don't know. It's a different kind of presence. I talk to my mom on the phone every single day, but to have her there beside me is different. I had a few tough races in Torino, and it was nice and [yet] tough to have them there. It's hard for anyone to see you in pain, and I don't think my parents ever, ever want that for me. And that's difficult. But it's really nice that they're the people I can vent to. They're just here to listen. They don't need to say anything, they don't know what's going to fix it, they're just there to listen and that's what I appreciate.

Is it different training in Richmond than in Calgary?

In Calgary, the Oval is at the University, so you're getting public around, tons of other athletes, and university athletes training at the facility. Here, it's different, it's quiet, but it's beautiful. It really is a beautiful facility. And the ice is different. It really is. I apparently need to learn how to skate right.

Well how is the ice different?

A lot slower. And it doesn't necessarily feel slower until you hear a lap time. And you're like oh, that is not coming easy.

Have you gone through the dream scenario in your head? Have you pictured it next February?

There's certain things on the track that I visualize, but it's more the feeling when I'm racing. There's definitely a feeling when your body feels good, and you're getting the speed that you want to get. Technique feels good, you're getting a good rhythm, and a good flow, and everything is kind of just coming easy. Your legs can be burning, and you're skating like hell in the race, but you just kind of come together, and just focusing on every moment, and that's kind of the feeling that I want.

How often do you get to that place?
Not often [laughs]. That's something that I think I'll have to work on. I don't think it happens for many athletes that often. I think that's what makes great races, great races.