Normal speed suits were augmented by hoodies, mitts, ski goggles and other unusual apparel, but cold weather didn’t stop speed skaters from giving their all on Canmore’s 10th Street Pond outdoor Alberta Winter Games track, last weekend (Feb. 8-9).
Short-track speed skaters from across Alberta braved temperatures hovering between -10 and -20 C on the weekend.
Conditions were chilly, but it didn’t stop local Zone 2 skaters from turning in top results. Among them, Alison Gourley struck gold in the 11-12 Female Individual, Cassidy Peterson took silver in 13-14 Female Individual and Sam Hendry and Connor Howe were fourth and fifth, respectively, in 13-14 Male Individual. Peterson, Howe, Hendry and William Thiessen of Irricana, also teamed up for a silver in team relay.
In all, seven skaters won five medals in the Games. Other Zone 2 finishers included Hannah St. Hilaire, 13th in 11-12 Individual Female, Logan de Boer, 14th in Individual Male 11-12 and Zack Zawada, 21st in Individual Male 12-13.
In her 200m event, Gourley had to skate through some contact off the start line, which then held her back from getting to the front of the pack in the lightning quick 200.
“It held me back a little bit, but it’ll be fine. I was doing pretty well earlier,” said Gourley of her first Winter Games experience. “It’s been pretty cold, but it’s been fun.
“The ice has been good, but not quite the same as a rink. I’ve skated long-track outside, but this is the first I’ve done short-track outside.
“Really, it’s all been good, a really good experience and a lot of fun.”
“It’s been a really fun weekend,” said Hendry during his second Winter Games, Saturday (Feb. 8). “The ice has been really good, I’m surprised. It’s been a little chilly, though.”
Skaters competed in several distances and relays during the weekend, but Hendry said his last experience was in a more typical indoor arena.
“This is really different,” he said. “I’ve been happy with my performance, but I didn’t have a great 400m.”
Howe said the short-track event, for his second Winter Games also, “was good, a lot of fun. It’s been a bit cold, but it’s good. The ice has been pretty fast.”
