Pickard successfully defends gold medal title at speed skating provincials

Speed skaters at the provincial competition included Vivian Walsh, Lois Wint-Rose, Paul Pickard, Justin Hanley, Wyatt Senior and Kevin Hoffman. – Photo contributed

Paul Pickard, life long county boy, and former PECI principal defended his title and earned a gold medal in the Masters Men’s 55-59 category at the provincial series speed skating championships.

And, in his first season as a racer, Justin Hanley was a silver medalist in the 60-64 category while achieving five personal best times over the weekend.

Coach Laura Woodall reports a team of six Quinte Blades Speed Skating Club members joined 206 skaters from across the province this past weekend to race at the Speed Skating Ontario’s Provincial Series Championships in Newmarket.

“The team succeeded in bringing home three medals and 23 personal best times,” Woodall said.

Following her recent medal-winning performance at the Ontario Winter Games, 14-year-old Lois Wint-Rose earned a silver medal in the Neo-Junior group and had strong performances in the 1500m and 777m achieving three personal best times over the weekend.

Kevin Hoffman, 15, was just a few point shy of a medal, earning 4th in the Neo-Junior male group. Kevin had personal best times and great strategic racing in the 777m and 1500m distances.

Rounding out the youth members of the team were Wyatt Senior, 13, and Vivian Walsh, 9. Wyatt, who only began speed skating in September 2025, achieved a personal best time in each of his seven races and was the top skater in his group. Vivian had her best meet of the season with six personal best times and an amazing effort in the 1500 m race.