GRAND BEACH, MB
Legendary Olympic speed-skater Cindy Klassen took to the waters at Grand Beach this past week wearing the same pair of speed-skates she wore when she won 5 medals at the 2006 Turin Games.
“A lot of people don’t know this about me, but I haven’t taken these things off in over twenty years,” said Klassen. “After a life dedicated to speed-skating, I just can’t get used to wearing sandals or shoes, so I just leave on the skates. How else do you think I got so good?”
Klassen spent the entire afternoon at the beach, swimming and relaxing in the sand, the whole time working on her forward stride.
“It’s a lot easier to get around when the lake is frozen,” explained Klassen, “but I figure if I can maneuver myself through the sand and water I should have no trouble on the ice.”
Klassen’s dedication to the sport means that she also sleeps in the skates, although she says that she always makes sure to put on the skate-guard before hitting the hay.
“When you’re wearing a pair of ice skates 24/7,” said Klassen, “you’ve gotta take at least a few precautions.”
