Wednesday March 10 2010

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE MEDAL FOR PAVAN

National Championships Bronze Medal for Pavan Chinook Track and Field club member Carla Pavan has a passion for speed and has successfully transferred that passion from the hammer circle to the ice house. This past weekend she finished her first season foray into skeleton and bobsled with a bronze medal finish in the National Championships in Skeleton. "I really was hoping for a strong finish but this exceeds my expectations" says Pavan. "My speed and power training for the hammer has transferred over very well and my track coach, Larry Steinke, has played a large part in my successes. He has given me an excellent training base to work from and will continue to provide my dryland training programs".

Pavan was named to the National Development team for both Skeleton and Bobsled this past fall and had a seventh place finish on the America's Cup circuit under her belt. She was named the National program's Rookie of the year for 2003.

Pavan follows another of Steinke's athletes and University of Lethbridge alumni, Florian Linder, who was named to the national bobsled team in September and combined with driver Jason Kreuss to finish 9th at the World two man bobsled championships this past weekend in Lake Placid.

Although it may seem to be an odd pairing to go from a summer sport like track and field to a winter sport like bobsled or skeleton, Steinke notes that it really isn't that unusual. "There is significant carry over in the speed and power training in the throws to both bobsled and skeleton. In both cases the athlete has to be able to take advantage of explosive power and speed and utilize it against a heavy object. Aside from the technical aspects of each event the training is very similar."

Pavan would like to thank her sponsors for a great season: Bob Pavan Farms, Rob and Judy Arvidson, Janet Quesnel and Bryan Boyce as well as her many supporters along the way in her inaugural season.

As a Provincially and Nationally Recognized Club Our Athletes Compete at all Levels From school, local, regional, national and international championships.

Are You Up to the Challenge?

Head Coach: Larry Steinke
Club Address:
Box 21047
140 Columbia Blvd.
Lethbridge, AB
T1K-6x4

Email:chinook@canthrow.com
Email:steinke@uleth.ca
Phone: 403-328-8836