Vernon's Connie Kapak breaks age gap in Calgary
It was supposed to be an exercise in chasing older skaters at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.
Instead, 13-year-old speed skater Connie Kapak of Vernon won all six Can Am International Junior World Cup short track races. She was the second youngest of 207 skaters from around the world.
The one-day event featured the top two 13-year-old Alberta skaters, including provincial champion Cassidy Peterson, of Canmore.
Kapak then spent four days of two-a-day practices and long track preparation.
Seven races over four days resulted in four more gold medals, including breaking her own B.C. record in the 500-metres, set on the same track in October, in the first race. She defeated 18-year-old Danielle Wallish of Alberta.
Kapak’s first loss was also in the 500-metre, on day two, with another 18-year-old, from Finland.
All races were Olympic Style, with two racers on the track.
Kapak left this morning with some Nelson club skaters for the Western Canadian Single Distance Championships in Prince George.
The weekend competition features top skaters from across Western Canada. It is a medal-awards event and a rare opportunity to compete with skaters of the same age.
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