December 6th, 2017, Charlottetown – Island speed skaters wrapped up their 2017 competitive calendar with strong results in New Brunswick and in Boston over the weekend.
P.E.I.’s team of seven skaters picked up three medals at the Charles Gorman Short Track Championship, which saw 106 skaters from across the Maritimes take to the start line at Saint John’s Harbour Station.
Zachary Chatfield was one of P.E.I.’s three medalists at the recent Charles Gorman Short Track Championship in Saint John, New Brunswick. Photo courtesy of Kristen Binns.
Brendan Reynard grabbed a gold medal for P.E.I. in Division 7, after winning three of four distances and setting a new personal best (PB) time in his 600 metre distance. Reynard’s win duplicated his gold medal performance from the previous weekend’s Atlantic Cup competition in Charlottetown. Addison Bruce of Stratford took the silver medal in Division 3, helped by a new PB in his 200m sprint. Zachary Chatfield of Charlottetown rounded out the list of P.E.I. medalists, nabbing bronze in Division 4 after overcoming a false start penalty with a strong final race and a pair of new PB times.
Thomas McQuaid and Carter Bruce posted the fastest times for the Island team, finishing 4th and 5th, respectively, in Division 2. Also representing the Island in Saint John were Liam Chatfield and Jane Bruce.
In Boston, Massachusetts, William Lyons turned in a 5th overall finish in the Bay State Short Track Championships. The Rock Barra native had his best finish, 3rd place, in the 1000 metre distance, while skating in the top division of the New England meet.
P.E.I.’s competitive speed skaters return to the Maritime and Quebec competitive circuits in January. Meanwhile, Speed Skate PEI is set to host a pair of special events at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown over the next two weekends.
This Sunday, December 10, a Try Speed Skating Open House will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The event is free of charge and experienced skaters ages 7 and up are welcomed to come try speed skating. The following Saturday afternoon, December 16, will see a mini-meet for P.E.I. club members. The public is welcome to attend and admission is free.
For full details on the Try Speed Skating Open House and for competition results, visit www.speedskatepei.com.
