Short Track Next For Hempsall

By Kelly Sharp

Tim Hempsall will not be hearing the starting gun this weekend. The 14 year-old Prince George Blizzard speed skater welcomes a training session after five consecutive competitions. The endurance and stamina needed to race long track is replaced by the sudden explosion of energy prevalent in short track speed skating. The second year juvenile men’s skater is aiming for big results in short track after ending an impressive long track season. The College Heights student won a provincial long track championship in Dawson Creek before a second place overall finish at the Canadian age class long track championship in Winnipeg. Hempsall surprised himself by breaking through the familiar Quebec dominated podium finishes. An investment in Clap skates, allowing the blade to remain in contact with the ice longer, helped the Prince George speed skater shave time and improve stamina in the long track discipline. Last year, the College Heights student relied on short track blades for a 10^th overall placing at the national long track championship.

“So far, the Winnipeg meet has been my best meet of the season, now I have the provincials in short track next month,” Hempsall said. He will enter the provincials as defending BC short track champ for his age class.

The Prince George Blizzard speed skater says a 6 day training camp after Christmas at Calgary’s ice oval was instrumental in a strong long track season

Hempsall’s clubmate, Sarah Pousette, is off to Whitehorse this weekend, skating for BC at the Canada Winter Games.

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