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From cycling to speed skating, Saskatoon’s Veeman finds a niche at the Canada Games

From cycling to speed skating, Saskatoon's Veeman finds a niche at the Canada Games

Saskatoon’s Luca Veeman is headed to the Canada Winter Games. Article content Saskatoon’s Luca Veeman is comfortable on both wheel and blade, and on summer…

Saturday, Feb 11

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Saskatoon’s Luca Veeman is headed to the Canada Winter Games. Article content

Saskatoon’s Luca Veeman is comfortable on both wheel and blade, and on summer road and winter ice. Article content

He’ll be the flag bearer for Team Saskatchewan at the upcoming Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, before taking a medal shot in speed skating. Several months ago, he competed at the Canada Summer Games in cycling. Article content

He sees the skating side as his future — Veeman is an Olympic hopeful — but the two sports, as different as they are, complement each other nicely.

“The training for speed skating includes a lot of cycling, weightlifting and dry-land as well as a skating,” Veeman said this week. “The summer of cycling has really helped me, especially with my base fitness going into this skating year. I can change my training so I’m doing a lot less base fitness hours compared to most skaters, and I can focus in on the skating itself a lot more. Article content

“On the mental side, it’s really good to switch up between the sports, and have my skating time, and then be able to change my focus.”

The Games run Feb. 18 to March 5 at venues across Prince Edward Island. Saskatchewan is competing in all 20 sports. The provincial group includes 317 people, including 217 athletes.Veeman, 17, will lead them out at the opening ceremonies, flag in hand. He did a conference call with reporters this week from Germany, where […]

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