Recognizing that sport can be a life-long endeavor, Sport PEI is pleased to announce the finalists for the Masters award, celebrating the achievements of those aged 35 and over who are still competing at the highest levels.
Finalists for this prestigious award, which will be presented at the annual awards banquet on April 11 in Charlottetown, are Michael Gaudet (distance running), Ruth Stavert (stick curling), and Paul Wright (cross country skiing).
Tickets for the annual banquet will be available from this Friday by contacting Nick Murray at 368-4547.
Michael Gaudet (Distance Running)
PEI has a tradition of producing outstanding endurance athletes, and one of the toughest is Charlottetown’s Michael Gaudet.
Formerly a marathon swimmer who can boast swimming around Manhattan Island, Gaudet concentrates now on distance running, and in 2013 he showed that he is one of the best in Canada for his age group.
At the BMO PEI Marathon Michael ran a personal best of 3:14:30, not just winning the 60-69 age division but finishing 15th overall. His time was 9th fastest in the country for his age group, and the fastest by a runner in Atlantic Canada.
Gaudet – who in 2012 ran 275km, tip-to-tip from Tignish to Elmira in 42 hours and 18 minutes – also had fine results at the Wascally Wabbit 80km Trail Run (completed in 9:47:21), the Age of Sail Marathon in Port Greville, Nova Scotia (1st overall in 3:32:54) and the Maritime Race Week-end at Fisherman’s Cove, NS (10th overall, in 3:32:17).
In 2012 Gaudet received the Ewen Stewart Inspirational Runner Award from the Roadrunners PEI.
Ruth Stavert (Stick Curling)
Cornwall’s Ruth Stavert is the Jennifer Jones of the stick curling community, and in 2013 she won an unprecedented four titles, from provincial right the way through to a national championship.
A great advocate of this modified form of the game, Ruth has been stick curling since 2007 and has become its most skilled competitor.
Last year, with regular partner Gloria Clarke, Ruth won both the provincial title for a fourth time, and the Maritime championship in Montague, before Gloria had to take time away through ill health.
With new partner Eileen Blanchard, Ruth showed the country that she was one of the best, winning the 10-team women’s division on home ice at the Cornwall Curling Club. To round off the sweep, Ruth and Eileen also claimed the 55-plus Provincial Games title.
For her efforts, Ruth was recognized by Curl PEI by winning the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.
Paul Wright (Cross Country Skiing)
Bedeque’s Paul Wright just keeps rolling along, and this inspirational athlete for whom age is just a number enjoyed another great season on the trails.
Highlight of Wright’s year was another double gold medal winning performance at the Canadian Championships in Huntsville, Ontario, where he won both the 10km and 20km classic events in the 55-59 age division. It was Paul’s second straight year for double gold, and his third in the last four years, and brought his total medal count as a masters athlete at the nationals to 20.
In addition, Wright was first overall at the Wostawea Loppet 20km in Fredericton, while in Gatineau, considered a world loppet event, he was 3rd in his age division in the 55km classic, behind competitors from Finland and Russia.