From a press release submitted by the Lauer family, the Yukon was well represented this past weekend in Grande Prairie at the Canada West Short Track Speed Skating Championships with four skaters participating. This was the first time these four skaters attended the Western Canadian Championships competing two full days with 120 other skaters from the four western provinces and the two western territories.

The opening night of the event had Denny Morrison from Fort St. John, B.C. talking about his speed skating career which has taken him to the last four Olympic games and numerous World Cup events. Morrison brought with him his four Olympic medals and talked about his challenges in sports and life and the hard work needed to accomplish goals.

Caius Taggart-Cox, Simon Lauer, and twin brother Joshua Lauer returned from the event with a bronze medal in the 3,000-metre relay to cap off an exciting weekend for the four skaters.

Joshua Lauer finished 7th overall in his age category while setting personal best times in the 200-metre and 400-metre distances. He was also sixth in the gold medal races for the 3,000-metre points race and won the B final in the 1,500-metre.

Taggart-Cox finished eighth overall in his age category. He also made it to the gold medal races for the 3,000-metre points race and the 1,500-metre distance, finishing in fifth place in both. Taggart-Cox set a new personal best time in the 1,500 metre distance.

Simon Lauer finished ninth overall in his age category, finishing sixth in the gold medal race in the 1,500 metre distance and winning the B final in the 3,000-metre points race.

Simon set a new personal best time in the 400-metre event.

Lisa Freeman finished 10th overall in her age category, pulling off a victory in the 1,500 metre B final as well as having a close second place finish in the 3,000 metre B final points race.

The skaters were coached by Phil Hoffman, the long-time head coach of the Whitehorse Rapids Speed Skating Club.

This weekend will see the end of the Yukon speed skating season with the Yukon Championships on Sunday, March 31 at the Canada Games Centre from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to come out and see the races.