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Prince George, B.C. – Over 70 athletes from around the province have descended on Prince George for a long track speed skating competition at the Ice Oval in Exhibition Park today.

It’s the first long track meet that the city has hosted since the Canada Winter Games and meet coordinator Kathy Lewis is pleased with how the event has gone so far.

“It’s going really well given that we had a whole bunch of snow to remove this morning and that kind of pushed us back a little bit,” she says. “And we have a crew of about 75 per cent new volunteers and so it’s a bit of a learning thing but it’s going really well. We’re quite happy.”

The meet is a sanctioned event and comes just two weeks prior to provincials in Dawson Creek. Lewis says she’s thrilled with how the ice has turned out.

“It is awesome! We just got a hot water system going for a Zamboni and we have I think the best ice in the country.”

Isaiah Jessie Uribe is from Columbia but skates with the Kamloops Long Blades Speed Skating Club. He agrees with Lewis’ assessment.

“It’s very good. You go faster and it’s very smooth.”

The meet features both Olympic Style (two skaters on the ice, one on the inner lane, one on the outer lane, crossing over every lap) and Mass Start (up to eight skaters at once).

If you’d like to catch the action you’ve still got time. The meet ends at 5 p.m. this afternoon. Spectating is free.