Josh Telizyn (Fort St. John) skated his heart out to secure the bronze medal in the 1000m at Great Chief Park this morning in a time of 1:14.65. On this last day of competition for Long Track Speed Skating, Team BC had a great showing, competing hard and skating fast in the shorter distance.
Following yesterday’s personal best performances in the 3000m and 5000m races, todays shorter distance was a welcome challenge for the team.
“I came out of the opening 200 a little slower than I would have liked, but then I built through the last 800m like an animal,” said Telizyn talking about his medal performance. “I really hung in there for the last 200m and when I crossed the line and the board second 2nd, I was so pumped. I just waited for the rest of the heats to end and I am so excited to have the medal.”
The women’s side fared well with all four athletes finishing in the top 20 of competitors.
Women’s 1000m Results
7th Place - Amanda Mitchell (Fort St John) - 1:28.29
15th Place - Laura Hall (Salmon Arm) - 1:31.83
17th Place - Brooke Braun (Fort St John) - 1:32.48
19th Place - Yuna Lovell (Fort St John) - 1:34.67
Men’s 1000m Results
3rd – Josh Telizyn (Fort St John) – 1:14.65
11th – Kieran Hanson (Prince George) – 1:17.87
16th – Eric Orlowsky (Prince George) – 1:20.21
19th – Jacob Rubuliak (Kelowna) – 1:20.66
Following the 1000m races, the anticipated Mass Start events took place. Ten laps around the track with every athlete competing at the same time, this race is one of a kind in the long track competition landscape. Temperatures dropped a bit since yesterday, but the conditions were still good for the ice and the athletes.
Women’s Mass Start (no official times)
5th – Laura Hall (Salmon Arm)
15th – Amanda Mitchell
20th – Yuna Lovell
24th – Brooke Braun
Today was supposed to be the final day of competition, but due to an officiating error, the Men’s Mass Start event will be re-raced on Thursday February 21st at 11am.