Thursday, February 7, 2002
Doan worry, honey!
Bart goes the distance to ensure Catriona's skates arrive safely
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
SALT LAKE CITY -- While several Canadian Olympic athletes had to make do without their luggage yesterday, Calgary speed skating star Catriona Le May Doan felt safe in the knowledge her coveted clap skates were in the safest hands she knows.
After all, the skates are as good as gold.
Always concerned about her skates, she recruited husband Bart to drive 14 hours from Calgary to the Utah city with the blades under lock, key and his watchful eye.
Driving a truck loaned to the Doans for the Olympics by Calgary's Big 4 Dodge/Jeep, Bart made the trip to Salt Lake with the precious cargo at his fingertips.
"It's not like hockey players, who often break in new skates every five games. Letting Catriona's skates out of our sight is a little nerve-wracking," said Bart.
The skates are stored in a padded, locked suitcase.
"They sat in the passenger seat the whole time. I all but had them handcuffed to me," said Bart.
"They were under my bed when I stopped for the night in Idaho Falls. No one was getting to them without getting by me first."
Several other Canadians had to do without their personal belongs as the team's charter flight out of Calgary Tuesday night was unable to transport all their luggage.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
