Submitted
Two local speedskaters have qualified for provincials.
Ashton Kincaid and Tristan Phillips of the West Kootenay Speed Skating Club earned their way to the short-track provincials while competing at yhe Coyote Cup in Kamloops on Jan. 27 and 28.
Kincaid finished first in his class with four personal best times, while Phillips also advanced with a bronze and three personal bests.
The provincials will run March 3 to 4 in Abbotsford.
Mercedes Phillips won silver in her classification with four personal best times but missed her provincial time by one second. She has one more opportunity to reach it at a meet in Calgary.
Avery Kincaid finished fourth overall with four personal best times, but missed his provincial qualifying time by four seconds. Oliver Ludwar came in fourth as well with two personal best times. He also qualified for provincials but is unable to attend because of age requirements.
Charlie Ludwar meanwhile was fifth place overall in his time classification with four personal best times.
Ian Walgren was the lone skater that competed in Port Coquitlam on Jan. 27. This meet was a good warm up for him in preparation for the Special Olympics BC Winter Games, which will be held in Vernon from Feb. 21 to 23. Walgren placed second in the 500-metre race with time of one minute 8.76 seconds.
Walgren then had a serious fall in his 1,500 m race and did not finish. Fortunately he was checked out by medical staff and was able to compete in his final two races. In the 333, Ian finished first with a time of 45.22 seconds and in his 777 race Walgren came third in a time of 1:46.22.