Carter Bruce, from Stratford, and Brackley’s Matthew McKenna have been named to P.E.I.’s Canada Winter Games long track speedskating team.
The Games go Feb. 15-March 3 in Red Deer, Alta. The two hit the ice in Week One beginning Feb. 16 and will compete in the 500-metre, 1,000-metre, 1, 500-metre and 5,000-metre distances, plus a 10-lap, 4,000-metre mass start race.
Coach Carolyn Jarock, who guided the Nova Scotia long track team at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, said the self-motivated pair are working to excel in Red Deer despite her living in Saskatchewan and the closest long track located off Island.
“Carter and Matthew have been training hard for this opportunity to represent P.E.I. With me on the other side of the country and the closest long track oval in Halifax, they’ve had to be very diligent about their own training,” said Jarock. “Our skaters are making the most of the opportunities they have and we’re all excited to get on the ice in Red Deer.”
It’s the first time P.E.I. has sent a long track team to the Games since 2007. Earlier this month, Speed Skate P.E.I. named Jenna Larter of Brookfield, Mia Stewart and Andrew Binns of Stratford, William Lyons of Rock Barra, and Kyle Connell, Peter McQuaid and Thomas McQuaid, all of Charlottetown, the Games short track team. It’s coached Sarah Taylor and managed by Rob Binns.
Bruce and McKenna tangle with their regional counterparts at the Atlantic long track championships this weekend in Halifax.
More at www.speedskatepei.com.
