2019/2020 Coaches

Tracy Leipsic, Scott Van Horne, Bill Gendron

SCOTT VAN HORNE – Group 3 Coach

Credentials:

• Certified level 3 coach (Comp-Dev) in speed skating, with over 10 years of coaching experience
• Bachelors Degree of Science
• Masters Degree of Science (Main study was the biomechanics of the skating push)
• Published in the International Journal of Biomechanics – Analysis of Klap Skate Hinge Position with Respect to Skating Push Mechanics.
• Presented at numerous International Biomechanics conferences on the topic of skating push mechanics
• 28 years experience designing and crafting custom made speed skate boots worn by many of the best speed skaters in the World

Sport Experience:

• Won multiple Canadian and North American titles in both short track and long track through the T2T equivalent age class years.
• Won the Canada Cup Long Track Circuit and qualified for the National Long Track Team as a first year senior skater.
• Skated on the Canadian Development Team for the next 2 years before retiring from the sport.

Coaching Experience and Accolades:

• 2019 National Coaching Excellence Award – Awarded by Speed Skating Canada
• Coached/Managed at Canada Winter Games
• Coached at many regional and national competition for both short track and long track

BILL GENDRON – Group 1/2 Coach Tuesdays

• Level 3 or Competition Development Certified (November 2009)
• Coaching as a club coach at River Heights since 2002
• Coached at many National and International meets over the years
• Coached for many years at the Can Am Camp in Calgary
• Manitoba Head Coach at many meets over the years, including the North American Long Track Championships, Canadian Age Class Mass Start Meets and a number of Canada Cup Long Track Meets
• Manitoba Head Coach and Assistant Coach at a number of Manitoba Long Track and Short Track camps.
• Provincial Coach at a number of provincial team practices over the years to fill in for position
• Coached at a number of Long track ovals- Calgary, Quebec City, Richmond Oval, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, John Rose, Dawson Creek, Fort St John
• 2009 received the Speed Skate Canada Learning Facilitator
• 2011 Speed Skate Canada Coaching Award
• 2014 Coaching Manitoba Vince Leah Memorial Award (for Fundamentals)
• 2014 Impact Manitoba Coach of the Year

TRACY LEIPSIC – Group 1/2 Coach Thursdays

*Certified Level 3 Coach (Comp-Dev) in speed skating

*Manitoba Speed Skating Association (MSSA) Board Member

*Competition Meet Starter

*Skated with River Heights Speed Skating Club in youth

*Medaled at the Canada Games, Manitoba Provincial Team Member

*River Heights Speed Skating Club Most Promising Female 1984, 86, 87

*National and North American Champion