Could the Richmond Olympic Oval still produce a future member of the national long track skating team? Heather Stewart sure hopes so.
Stewart was only eight-years-old when the world’s top skaters competed on the Oval’s 400 metre track during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Since then, the venue has transformed into a world class multi-purpose training centre, housing a number of sports organizations.
Among them is the Richmond Rockets Speed Skating Club which utilizes the Oval’s two Olympic-size hockey rinks for short track training. At least, that was the case up until a few weeks ago.
Stewart’s mom Nathalie also happens to be the Rockets head coach. She always thought her daughter might be better suited for long track and purchased a pair of long track skates when the family went back to Quebec over holidays.
After trying them out a few times, Heather put them to the test when she headed north to participate at the recent B.C. Long Track Skating Championships in Fort St. John. The event took place at the impressive Pomeroy Sport Centre — a three level complex that includes the province’s only 400 metre indoor long track on the second floor.
Heather competed in the Olympic style 100, 500, 1500, 300 and 2000 metre pursuit races. She did more than hold her own against experienced competition, earning a spot on the provincial team that is heading to this weekend’s 2016 Canadian Age Class Championships in Quebec City.
“It was one of those ‘I my gosh I didn’t even know it was there’ performances,” said Nathalie. “What I found out in Ft. St. John is Heather is really more of a long distance skater.
“Typically when you do 3000 metres, you go way too fast. I thought she was going to die after three laps but she just kept going and going. What was most impressive were her lap times were very consistent and she was able to keep her position and form too.”
Her success might mean a permanent change from short to long track is in the near future. Heather will keep skating short and hopes to qualify for the upcoming provincials too but the plan will be try to head to north once a month where she can train with the Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club. The venue also hosts a B.C. Skating Long Track Summer Camp in August.
Heather estimated the provincials only had about five competitors from the Lower Mainland.
The rest came from Northern B.C., including Prince George and Dawson Creek where there are outdoor ovals.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be successful in short track but now that I see the opportunity in long track, I might want to take it further,” said Heather, who was inspired to speed skate by her mom’s successful career as an athlete. “I have always wanted to go in my mom shoes and be on a Canadian team one day.”
