The home ice advantage benefitted many members of the Salmon Arm Ice Breakers Speed Skating Club in weekend action at the fourth annual Ice Jam at the Shaw Centre Saturday.
With skaters from as far away at Fort St. John,the racers, who were primarily from the Interior, posted tight turns and speedy straightaways to earn a number of medals and personal bests at the event.
In division one, the youngest skater, three-year-old Paige Isaac, stole the show with her determination to finish races, despite having the shortest legs on the ice. She was not to be outdone by her six-year-old brother Keagan who earned personal best races in the 100 and 50-metre distances, as well as a bronze medal.
Anya Thurgood took on the challenge of her first race, logging some times for future competitions.
In division two, Mackenzie Keating tied for the gold medal and had four personal best times. Hudson Kearl took the bronze with two personal best races, while Zachary Watkins got personal bests in the 100 and 110-m distances.
In division three, Lincoln Thurgood continued his winning ways with across the board personal best times and a gold medal, followed by teammate Jett Nash with four personal bests and a silver medal.
Ice Breaker Ila Issac took bronze with three personal bests, followed closely by Callie Belway in fourth place.
Corbin Coubrough marked three personal best times in the 200-m, 300-m and 500-m distances.
Division four saw 13-year-old Jalen Thurgood skate to bronze with four personal best times, including a tremendous effort in the 1200-m endurance distance.
Devyn Hughes, 10, had an unfortunate fall in the 1200-m, but recovered and finished well in the remaining races.
Division five saw last year’s provincial champion, Aila Norlin earn the silver medal, while teammates Jack Isaac and Jack Verdurmen both posted four out of five personal best times.
Phoenix Nash had a bad fall in his first race, which led to him missing the second event, before he recovered to continue the remainder of his races.
The Ice Breakers season will continue Dec. 3 with racing in Kelowna.
