(l-r) Dave Connell, Lyle Dickieson, and Ross Knudson  photo credit Ann Douglas

Prince George, B.C. – Prince George Blizzard speed skater, Lyle Dickieson, won his third national speed skating title at the Canadian Open Masters Championship held at the new indoor ice oval in Fort St. John this past weekend.

Dickieson came first in his age category and first overall at the event.  "These races attract great competitors from across Canada," says the local Sports Hall of Fame inductee.  "I had a solid set of races and am very happy to have come out on top."

Dickieson was joined by fellow club members David Connell and Ross Knudson at the competition.  Connell took silver in his age category and finished 7th overall.  This is his first season of racing competitively, after he discovered the city’s outdoor oval six years ago.  "Without the oval here in Prince George, I would have never had the chance to try speed skaing," says Connell.  "To do well at my first national championship was fantastic."

Knudson finished fifth in his age category – he’s a long-time short and long-track skater and coach who established the Mackenzie speed skating club and now coaches with the Blizzards.

All three skaters also competed last week at the BC provincial championships in Fort St. James.  Dickieson won gold and Connell silver in their respective age categories.  Masters level racing is for skaters 30-years and older.  Dickieson is encouraging others to join the club, saying, "There are many excellent athletes in Prince George who would do very well at these Masters races."