The speed skating Schwartzenberger's (from left to right) Isaac Schwartzenberger, coach Lambert Schwartzenberger, and Lambert Schwartzenberger. (Submitted photo/Nicole Finch)

By Submitted by Nicole Finch

The Speedskating Schwartzenberger's

Local speed skaters return from Canadian Youth West Short Track Championships in Selkirk, Manitoba

Apr 3, 2022 | 9:49 AM

The Prince Albert Speed Skating Club (PASSC) wrapped up its season last weekend in Selkirk, Manitoba. Brothers Lambert and Isaac Schwartzenberger, met qualifying times during the season to earn them spots in the Canadian Youth Short Track Championship – West (CYST).

The duo was fortunate to have their coach, and father, on the bench with them. Lambert Schwartzenberger was selected as a member of the Saskatchewan Team Coaching Staff for Selkirk, along with Provincial Coach Tim Comfort.

“It was a great opportunity for me to be on the coaches’ bench with others from across Western Canada. The kids did great and I am hopeful that this will inspire some of our younger skaters in Prince Albert to stick with our awesome sport and to see this as one of many opportunities that speed skating can provide,” Lambert said.

The CYST includes skaters aged 11 to 15 and is used to crown individual distance and overall champions for each age class. This event serves as an introduction to national-level competition for developing skaters and an opportunity for them to represent their province/territory on the national stage. Skaters from Northwest Territories, Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were in attendance and raced 200-metre, 400-metre, 1,500-metre, 3,000-metre, and relays.

Unlike most sports, speed skating competitions are usually classified as Ability Meets, meaning skaters are put into groups where they race against skaters (mixed genders) that are at the same skating level and speed regardless of age. This allows for skaters to gain confidence and push for personal bests every time they race. Similar to a track meet, there are heats and finals in each event. At CYST, skaters had to meet qualifying times but then competed against athletes of the same birth year.

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Lambert finished 8th out of 16 skaters and Isaac finished 7th out of 16 skaters in their respective categories. Lambert also took part in a 3000m relay team which received a silver medal. Coach Lambert is hopeful that next year the PASSC will have a few more skaters in attendance.

The Prince Albert Speed Skating Club runs from September to March at the Art Hauser Centre and includes skaters age four to adult. For more details about Speed Skating or our Learn to Skate program, find us on Facebook or visit www.paspeedskating.ca