The competition may be called the Classic Chill, but there was nothing cold about the performances of the Salmon Arm Ice Breakers speed skaters in Kamloops on Saturday.
Ten of the club’s 11 youth skaters notched personal best times in some of their races, while the other racer, Corbin Coubrough, participated in his first races ever, setting his benchmark times and picking up a first, two second places, a third and a fourth in his races.
Keegan Isaac, participating in the youngest age division, earned three personal bests in the 50-metre, 100-m and 200-m races.
Personal bests were also put up by Callie Belway, Jett Nash, Ila Isaac, Phoenix Nash, Devyn Hughes, Alia Norlin and Bradley Hlina, who is chasing a spot in the BC Winter Games. Jack Isaac also posted four personal bests and, despite a fall in the 800-m, he battled back to take second place in that race.
Daniel Hlina, who is recovering from a broken ankle, still came within 0.5 seconds of his personal best times.
For the adult skaters, Alex Seal was placed in a division with younger skaters and placed second in the 1,500-m, third in the 1,000-m and ranked third and fourth in the two 500-m races.
Kevin Isaac, who made his return to racing after skating competitively as a youth, earned four first-place finishes, but a fall took him to second in one of his heats.
Club newcomer Kim Klapstein made his racing debut with one first-place finish and four-second place markers.
The next races for the Ice Breakers will be Nov. 22 on home ice at the Shaw Centre. Racing runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and spectators are welcome.
