Eleanor (Powley) Van Impe

Athlete (1986)

Speed Skating

Born in 1909, Eleanor began skating in Conquest, Saskatchewan. She spent a couple of years in Regina before joining the Saskatoon speed skating club in 1931. For 11 years Eleanor set local and provincial records and competed in the national and North American championships. He specialties were races from 220 yards to 3/4 of a mile.

In 1932, she missed the 3/4-mile world record by 2/10ths of a second. Eleanor took part in races that were often part of winter carnivals and hockey games. She did some coaching with the Saskatoon Lions club after her competitive days were over.

An outstanding athlete, Eleanor also excelled in softball, bowling, curling and golf. She also found time to be a figure skating judge. From 1928 to 1939, while a speed skater, she amassed 55 first place finishes and 10 second place finishes.

She was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

** Deceased