Latest news with #StJohns
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
New Ukrainian rowers taking on distinctly St. John's tradition
A team made up of six Ukrainian newcomers to Newfoundland will compete in this year's Royal St. John's Regatta. (Garrett Barry/CTV News) A group of six Ukrainian newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador are trying their hand at a distinctly St. John's sport: fixed-seat rowing. The team, organized by the Ukrainian National Federation group in St. John's, have trained all week for the upcoming Royal St. John's Regatta, that will be held Wednesday if wind conditions are favourable. 'It's about traditions, because, for us, it's really hard now,' said Irina Pegasina, one of the driving forces behind the team. 'We live in (a) new country, we start trying to integrate in this country, and we want to be involved in this tradition.' 'It's easy to watch, but when you start rowing, it's a little bit hard,' added Viktor Shavliuk, one of the six brand-new rowers who make up the team. The team and the Ukrainian National Federation group believe it's the first time an all-Ukrainian contingent has raced on a team in the St. John's regatta. The group is led by coxswain and coach Megan Willette. They've been practicing, on average, five times a day since the beginning of June. The St. John's Regatta is fairly unique: It's one of the relatively few fixed-seat competitions in the rowing world. But it's notoriety mostly stems from for the moveable, shops-closing public holiday that travels with the rowing races. Whenever the Regatta is a 'go,' a holiday is declared — giving a lot of power to the closed-door committee that meets the morning before the regatta is held to examine the weather forecasts. Pegasina said her team has gotten used to checking the windy weather in St. John's that, all too often, interferes with her practice schedule. 'Every day we do this, because every day we check the (boathouse conditions flag),' she said. 'We green, red, green, red, yellow… it's really fun every day to check it.' Pegasina said she set her heart on rowing in the regatta the first time she saw it, arriving in Newfoundland from Ukraine after the war broke out in her home country. 'I think it's really good for us,' she said. 'I just want to be involved, as Ukrainians, in the Canadian and in the St. John's community.' Willette signed on to coach the team in the spring, as it just started to form. They've had an awfully quick introduction into the sport: while most teams competing in the Royal St. John's Regatta hit the water in May, this group didn't start practicing until June. 'The first time they got in the boat, they could barely pull two strokes together. And they were getting compliments on their turn in the time trials for the rest of the evening, so they've been very good,' she said. 'I think they surprised a lot of people too.' The team will compete in a brand new 'open crew' division, which will debut this year. It marks the first time the regatta has hosted teams not segregated into men's and women's categories. 'I just want them to have a really good race, and to be proud of themselves when they're finished,' Willete said. Pegasina has her own goal: make a few connections, maybe friends, and become regulars around the boathouse in the years to come. 'I hope we will have this team year by year,' she said. 'We know all these people, and I hope they will be our friends.'
CBC
15 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
Meet the father-daughter duo who are key volunteers in the track and field community for the Canada Games
The Stenders have long been associated with track and field. Ahead of the 2025 Canada Games in St. John's next month, meet a dad and daughter who aren't slowing down when it comes to supporting athletes and the sport.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Statue representing Isle of Man's 'Viking legacy' approved
Proposals to build a statue of an 11th Century Manx Viking ruler have been approved by the planning illuminated sculpture of Godred Crovan, known as King Orry, is set to be 8ft (2.4m) in height, with a hand gesturing towards Tynwald Hill in St John's. Planners added a clause to complete further surveys ahead of its construction after previous concerns about the archaeological impact of the the decision, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly said it was "about recognising, educating, and celebrating" the Isle of Man's Viking history and heritage. The proposals for the artwork were approved despite a recommendation from the planning officer to refuse the application, which was submitted by the Department of Infrastructure. Skelly said King Orry was "everywhere on this island" and ingrained in Manx culture."Godred Croven is listed in the Chronicles of Mann, our most important written document of the history of the Isle of Man," he added. The structure, which will be put in place facing east near the junction of Peel Road and Glen Mooar Road, will be has been designed by artists Darren Jackson and Stephanie Quayle-Jackson, who also created a heron sculpture in were told the location had been chosen to be easily visible but not to intrude on the hill, national cenotaph or the Royal Chapel of St John's. Historian Charles Guard said the statue next to the hill where the annual open-air sitting of Tynwald takes place would mean "you can see immediately this is our Viking heritage".He drew the parallel with Parliament Square next to the Houses of Parliament in London, where there are 12 statues."They are all celebrating the development of democracy in the adjacent island, our parliament is older and it's more distinguished," he said."We need a Viking there to tell us who started it all, and that's the man who was involved in it."It's a metaphor and he is pointing to Tynwald Hill, he's saying this is your legacy from the Vikings."Objectors have 21 days to appeal the planning decision. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
16-year-old dual athlete will lead Team Sask to Canada Summer Games
A total of 377 Saskatchewan athletes from 92 communities across 19 disciplines are all going for gold at this year's Canada Summer Games in St. John's. Of those 377 elite athletes, only one holds the flag of Saskatchewan, a symbol of the province's spirit and strength. Sixteen-year-old Hayden Kot is Team Sask's flag bearer, the official representative of the province during the ceremonies. Beyond that, she's going for gold in both basketball and volleyball. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, going to Canada Summer Games, let alone being named the flag bearer," said Kot. "I'm just so excited. I'm so excited to go, and just being able to bring my team alongside me is just super special … We're so tight knit in Saskatchewan. We have such a great culture and honestly, the fact that everybody is supporting everybody is just so nice to see." Garrett Kot, Hayden's father, was also a multi-sport athlete who competed in volleyball at the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, B.C. He now coaches basketball at Kot's high school, and trains with his daughter constantly. "Sports are so important to me because I kind of learned everything there: how to be a good person, how to trust people, how to be patient with people," said Kot. "Honestly, it's shaped me so much that I don't know who I would be without sports. All my best friends are from my sports, and I don't know where I would be without it ... it guides me so much, and it just helps me as a human understanding things." This is Kot's second year playing volleyball for Team Sask, and her fourth year playing basketball. Last year, she missed out due to a broken ankle. "You're never going to get this opportunity again, so I just think making the most of what I have is just the best thing. I'm looking more towards basketball in post-secondary, but being able to contribute to both of them in my future is probably my biggest goal." East coast-bound athletes will be accompanied by 85 members of the coaching staff and 26 mission staff, bringing the total team contingency to 488. Alana Ross, Saskatchewan Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport says that between her ministry and Sask Lotteries, a total of $1.6 million worth of funding went to Team Sask this year. "It really encourages them to strive for success, which really will help them in the future as well. That's another advantage to sport and competing and to learn if you work hard, there's positive outcomes." Team Sask reached a total medal count of 32 at the last Canada Summer Games in Niagara in 2022. Officials say they are looking to land at about 5th place overall, near provinces with similar populations. "We're small, but we're mighty, and you see that in so many areas. We've had so many successful athletes coming out of our province. If we're focusing on the sports, how can you help, but to be proud of them and proud of Saskatchewan." Notable Team Sask alumni include Catriona Le May Doan, Mark McMorris, Emily Clark, Rylan Wiens, Shelby Newkirk, and Carissa Norsten. The 2025 Canada Summer Games will run from Aug. 8-25 in St. John's.
CBC
a day ago
- Sport
- CBC
16-year-old dual athlete will lead Team Sask to Canada Summer Games
A total of 377 Saskatchewan athletes from 92 communities across 19 disciplines are all going for gold at this year's Canada Summer Games in St. John's. Of those 377 elite athletes, only one holds the flag of Saskatchewan, a symbol of the province's spirit and strength. Sixteen-year-old Hayden Kot is Team Sask's flag bearer, the official representative of the province during the ceremonies. Beyond that, she's going for gold in both basketball and volleyball. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, going to Canada Summer Games, let alone being named the flag bearer," said Kot. "I'm just so excited. I'm so excited to go, and just being able to bring my team alongside me is just super special … We're so tight knit in Saskatchewan. We have such a great culture and honestly, the fact that everybody is supporting everybody is just so nice to see." Garrett Kot, Hayden's father, was also a multi-sport athlete who competed in volleyball at the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, B.C. He now coaches basketball at Kot's high school, and trains with his daughter constantly. "Sports are so important to me because I kind of learned everything there: how to be a good person, how to trust people, how to be patient with people," said Kot. "Honestly, it's shaped me so much that I don't know who I would be without sports. All my best friends are from my sports, and I don't know where I would be without it ... it guides me so much, and it just helps me as a human understanding things." This is Kot's second year playing volleyball for Team Sask, and her fourth year playing basketball. Last year, she missed out due to a broken ankle. "You're never going to get this opportunity again, so I just think making the most of what I have is just the best thing. I'm looking more towards basketball in post-secondary, but being able to contribute to both of them in my future is probably my biggest goal." East coast-bound athletes will be accompanied by 85 members of the coaching staff and 26 mission staff, bringing the total team contingency to 488. Alana Ross, Saskatchewan Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport says that between her ministry and Sask Lotteries, a total of $1.6 million worth of funding went to Team Sask this year. "It really encourages them to strive for success, which really will help them in the future as well. That's another advantage to sport and competing and to learn if you work hard, there's positive outcomes." Team Sask reached a total medal count of 32 at the last Canada Summer Games in Niagara in 2022. Officials say they are looking to land at about 5th place overall, near provinces with similar populations. "We're small, but we're mighty, and you see that in so many areas. We've had so many successful athletes coming out of our province. If we're focusing on the sports, how can you help, but to be proud of them and proud of Saskatchewan." Notable Team Sask alumni include Catriona Le May Doan, Mark McMorris, Emily Clark, Rylan Wiens, Shelby Newkirk, and Carissa Norsten. The 2025 Canada Summer Games will run from Aug. 8-25 in St. John's.
