It was an outstanding showing for 10 local speed skaters competing at Ontario Provincial East #2 Short Track Speed Skating Competition, especially for two medal winners.
Hosted by the Quinte Blades Speed Skating Club, 100 racers from Ottawa to Hamilton attended, including 13 Special Olympics racers.
Kevin Hoffman won the gold medal in the top division, placing 1st in 500m and 777m distances, 3rd in 1500m with a new personal best (PB) every time he stepped on the ice to earn top spot on the podium.
In the same division, Paul Pickard placed 4th and was the Competition Competitors Steward, while Lois Winter-Rose finished 9th setting PB’s in all distances.
Teammate Olivia Erdogan won Bronze in the Foxtrot division at her first Provincial competition.
Olivia skated five solid races, with a nine second PB at 400m, racing in all A-finals, setting new best times in every distance 800m and 1000m distances as well.
Novice skater Wyatt Senior raced in the Foxtrot division as well and set personal bests in all distances at his first Provincial meet.
Also experiencing Provincial Circuit Racing for the first time in the Golf division was Vivian Walsh, setting all personal best times in 400m, 600m and 800m distances.
Ellery Wollerman, also in the Golf division, raced in their first Provincial competition, but unfortunately had to withdraw early in the competition.
Representing the Special Olympics division for the Quinte Blades were Adam James placing 1st in 777m and 1000m, and 3rd in 500m and 1500m distances. Kai Freeland placed 2nd in 333m and 500m distances and 3rd in 777m and 1000m, while Nicole Ferguson placed 1st in 222, and 2nd in 333m, 500m and 777m distances.
Next up is the December Provincial Mid-Season two-day event in Kingston, bringing all skaters from across the Province together, a preparation event for the March Provincial Championships in Newmarket. www.quinteblades.ca
Photo: Quinte Blades/Submitted
