Major medal haul for Lethbridge speed skaters at Alberta Winter Games
The Alberta Winter Games took place in Grande Prairie from Feb.16 to Feb.19. and four athletes from the Lethbridge Speed Skating Association took part in the event. Three skaters competed in the Youth 12 and 13 category, including Claire Peake, Ryker Olsen, and Zosia Adelman. The skaters raced 1500-meter heats and finals, 400-meter heats, semi-finals, and finals, 800-meter heats and finals, 1000-meter super-finals, and 2000-meter team relay heats and finals making for a very busy two-day event.
Adelman performed well throughout the event achieving a personal best in the 400-meter event of 41.9 seconds and a personal best in the 800-meter event of 1:23.8. She earned four medals for her efforts, including a gold in the 400-meter event and silvers in each of the 800-meter, 1000-meter and 1500-meter events.
Peake achieved a personal best in the 800-meter event, achieving a time of 1:29.3. She was competing against skaters one year older than her, making it a very challenging competition. Nonetheless, she performed well earning a fifth-place finish in the team relay and a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter event. Peake also had the honour of being the flag bearer at the opening ceremonies for the South Zone.
Olsen skated well at the beginning of the event, but unfortunately suffered an injury and was unable to participate in all events. Nonetheless, he was able to earn a silver medal for his contributions in the 2000-meter team relay event.
Lethbridge also had one skater participating in the Junior 14 and 15 category, Gavin Ogilvie. Junioraged skaters competed in four events – 500-meter, 1000-meter, 1500-meter events and a 3000-meter team relay. Ogilvie achieved a personal best in the 500-meter event with a time of 44.9 seconds, earning a silver medal. He also achieved a silver medal in the 1000-meter event and the 3000-meter team relay.