Vernon’s Connie Kapak finally got a chance to race against girls her own age at the Western Canadian Single Distance Speed Skating Championships last weekend in Prince George.
The 13-year-old relished the challenge by striking gold medals in all three distances, the only skater in any age group to do so at the CN Centre.
There were 111 skaters in the preview of the 2013 Canada West event, in Canmore, in March. A total of 13 13-year-olds, including Alberta’s top-four who Kapak dominated in the Calgary Oval event last week, raced.
“The meet went great,” said Kapak. “I was racing many of the same skaters that were in Winnipeg at Western Canadians last year, and also a few skaters who were at the B.C. Winter Games. My skating in the summer had made a really big difference in my performances, as the other skaters had no on-ice training. A good thing this year is there is no one who has beaten me in my age group.”
The final pre-Christmas competition goes next Saturday in Kelowna, the only event Kapak will be attending in the region this season.
Added Kapak: “I’ve been into more long track this season, doing a couple of meets in Calgary, which has been an amazing experience as I wish to continue with as much long track possible. I have also been to a few short track competitions in Calgary, Vancouver and Prince George.”
