Speed skaters local to Williams Lake have returned from the Central Interior Challenge in Prince George with two medals and a new experience under their belts.
Jacob McPherson took first place overall in the master's division and Kayden Ford-Jalbert won second overall in the mixed neo junior division.
Five other skaters from the Williams Lake Speed Skating Association Bullets attended the event, and their coach Nancy Jalbert said they all performed well in their divisions.
“The kids had a great time,” Jalbert told the Tribune, adding it was an especially great experience for newer skaters who never raced before.
This was Emmett Jackson (six) and Jay Routtu’s (seven) first racing meet as both only joined the team in early 2024.
The Interior Challenge also hosted an academy which Emmett attended, where he learned about teamwork and how to support his fellow speed skaters.
The Interior Challenge is designed to help speed skaters gain experience competing, and to prepare them for time qualifying competitions such as the BC Cup and provincials. This year’s competition attracted teams from Prince George, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie and Fort St. James.
The Bullets’ Logan Kelly-Jalbert (nine), Kayden Ford-Jalbert (17) and Preston Sigworth (17) will be on the road again in just a few days to compete at the BC Cup in Richmond from Nov. 22 to 24.
