While Canada continues to dominate on the world speed skating stage, the Ridge Meadows Racers are putting on a show in B.C. as they continued to fly to personal bests at meets in Langley and Kamloops.
In Langley, Tim Song notched a first-place finish in the 400m with an impressive effort, as he out-skated several older competitors in Division 3 (T2T). Song also posted two personal bests and edged out teammate Marshall Shupe in the 200 and 500 m events.
Shupe also skated well on the day, and glided to a first and two third-place finishes, including a strong showing in the tough 1,500 m event.
Janie Green led all 12-year-old T2T girls and also posted a personal best in the 500m.
In Division 2, Robert McLennan skated hard and was just edged out in a close finish to take second in his 500m and took first in his next 500m.
In Division 4 (T2T) action, Pascal Chassay had a first and two thirds, including a personal best in the 500m.
Shivani Bahadur grabbed a second and third and also put in her fastest 500m.
In Division 5 (T2T) Tahlon Flamma took a first place, while Samuel Teo and Jack Lindsay dug deep and continue to improve their times.
Stephania Kamagianis notched two first and two thirds and Stephen Courtney skated to a first and second in Division 6 (T2T).
In the LT2 divisions, Annabelle Green, Catalina Shupe and Isaac Park were able to put in their fastest skates to date, while Adam Abbott took two thirds and a second on the day.
FUNd skaters Cole Lindsay and Sammy Green skated fast, while Mackenzy Clark was able to find two personal bests.
Skaters in the Active Start category found fun at the meet. Bronte Clark finished first in all her races, while first-time racer Grace Chamberlain enjoyed her first taste of skating at a meet.
The Racers also took second place in points at the Kamloops Big Chill meet, in which Shupe led all 12-year-old T2Ts and took an impressive first place in the 1,500m against older skaters in Division 4.
Janie Green also put in a solid overall performance.
Chassay, Flamma and Bahadar also added points for the Racers in Division 4.
McLennan had another good meet taking a first and two thirds in Division 5.
Abbott posted a consistently strong meet and a personal best in Division 3 action, along with Annabelle Green, who posted a couple of personal bests, and her brother Sam, who had a couple of firsts.
Catalina Shupe continued to knock seconds off her personal bests. In FUNd action, Zahara and Nathan Adomi showed their speed along with Bronte Clark.
• Ridge Meadows Racers will host their annual meet and the Zone 3 B.C. Winter Games trials Sunday, Dec. 1 at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge. The club invites the community to come out to a get a look at some of the best local skaters and “get in the spirit for next February’s Olympics.”