Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Photo Submitted

STARTING STRONG – Shea Hoffman skates in the 3,000-metre race last weekend. Photo by PHIL HOFFMAN

Hoffman skates to top-three finishes in Richmond

Hoffman skates to top-three finishes in Richmond

By Whitehorse Star on November 20, 2014

Two Yukon speedskaters gave impressive performances against their rivals from Western Canada last weekend in Richmond, B.C.

Whitehorse’s Shea Hoffman and Haines Junction’s Michael Ritchie were at the Western Canadian Single Distance Short Track Championships.

In his first competition of the season, Hoffman set a personal best in his 500-metre race, knocking three quarters of a second off his previous best with a time of 48.049.

Then during the first 1,500-m race of the weekend, Hoffman managed to reach third place out of 15 skaters.

He also achieved an outstanding second-place finish in the thigh-burning 3,000-m points race out of a field of nine skaters.

The meet was held at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, B.C.

Hoffman, 19, said the meet provided good competition.

The meet provided an avenue for him to get some competition, as he has aged out for the upcoming Canada Games Centre.

“There’s not really many for me to do,” he said.

Ritchie’s best placement came in the 1,500-m on the first day of competition, when he reached sixth place out of 15 skaters.

Ritchie also earned a personal best in his 1,500-m races.

In his first 1,500 race, the youngster knocked 6.98 seconds off his previous best, then proceeded to knock off a further 11.58 seconds in his second 1,500, for a combined decrease of more than 18 seconds when he finished in 2:38.52.

“They skated pretty well,” said coach Phil Hoffman. “It’s early for everybody, but they’re turning in some good results.”

Thanks to support from the Yukon government and Lotteries Yukon, the two skaters started their latest speedskating season on the right blade.

On Sunday, the Whitehorse Rapids Speed Skating Club will host a time trial event at the Canada Games Centre from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

– With files by Mark Ritchie

Be the first to comment

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.