Picton’s Pothier qualifies for provincials with Quinte Blades club

Kim Pothier, (in the red helmet cover), of Picton, placed first in the 333 and 1000 and second in the 500 metres.

Quinte Blades Special Olympics Speed Skaters raced in Milton last week, setting season best times, and qualifying for provincial championships next month.

Kim Pothier, of Picton, placed first in the 333 and 1000 and second in 500 meters.

Adam James finished first in 500, 777 and 1500 meter distance, and second in 1000m.

Kai Freeland was first in 777, second in 333 and third in 500 and 1000m distances.

Nicole Ferguson placed second in 222, 333 and 777m distance.

Quinte Blades is the only speed skating club serving the Quinte region registered with the Ontario Speed Skating Association and Speed Skate Canada and offering programs for children, youth and adults. It includes athletes of all abilities training together. Quinte Blades is a member of the Belleville and Quinte West Community of Special Olympics Ontario.

The Blairs with coach Paul Pickard

County family members were pleased to see John Blair, 8 and Olive Blair, 5, representing the Quinte Blades Fast and Fun motto at the Ottawa Regional meet Jan. 24th. The Regional Race Circuit is for young racers or those new to speed skating, incorporating traditional races along with technical and team building on ice events.

Ben Young raced to the podium in short track and long track on back-to-back weekends for the Quinte Blades Speed Skating Club.

Young, racing in the Masters division 30+, took gold in Olympics All-round Long Track at the Long Track Provincial Championship racing in 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m and ISU 10 Lap Points Race.

Coach Laura Woodall notes that “Luckily the cold weather made for fast ice as the championships were held at Brewer Park, Ottawa.

Young lead the team to silver in the Masters division at the East Region Short Track Competition in Ottawa on Jan. 25th. Justin Hanley joined him in the Masters division at his first event, with four personal best times in 500, 777 and 1500 meter distances.

Olivia Grace Erdogan, 10, placed 9th in a closely contested Foxtrot division and qualified for the relay event. Ellery Wollerman, 12, raced to four personal best times in 400, 800 and 1000 meter distances and teammate Vivian Walsh (8) secured a personal best in 800 meter distance in the Golf division.

Team Canada will begin racing at the Olympics on Feb. 7th. Quinte Blades will have free “try speed skating” dates coming soon.