Skip to content

WATCH: Skaters hit the outdoor oval for first ever Jeremy Wotherspoon Open

\video

Long track speed skaters from across the province braved the elements this weekend for a historic occasion.

Despite temperatures below minus 20, hundreds of competitors from across Alberta gathered at Setters Place for the first annual Jeremy Wotherspoon Open Saturday.

It was the first competitive race on the long track speed skating oval, with the Canada Winter Games less than a month away.



Email sports tips to Byron Hackett

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

15202406_web1_190119-RDA-M-190119-RDA-SpeedSkating-Oval-outside
Jordan Findlay and Tim Spruit battle it out in the division three mass start Saturday during the Red Deer Speed Skating Club Jeremey Wotherspoon Open at Setters Place. It was one of the first competitive races on the new long track speed skating oval at Great Chief Park. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)
15202406_web1_190119-RDA-SpeedSkating-Oval-Outdoors
Nathon Kettyle Kozuback (right) stares down the competition in the 300 metre Mass Start on Saturday during the Red Deer Speed Skating Club Jeremey Wotherspoon Open at Setters Place. Also in the race was Nathan Hawkins, Nina McFarlane and Maxine Volstad. It was one of the first competitive races on the new long track speed skating oval at Great Chief Park. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)
15202406_web1_190119-RDA-Skaters-Longtrack-RD
Oliver Pikkert (right), Allan Hawkins and James Wigglesworth battle down the backstretch in a mass start race on Saturday during the Red Deer Speed Skating Club Jeremey Wotherspoon Open at Setters Place. Also in the race was Nathan Hawkins, Nina McFarlane and Maxine Volstad. It was one of the first competitive races on the new long track speed skating oval at Great Chief Park. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)
15202406_web1_190119-RDA-SpeedSkating-Oval-outside
Jordan Findlay and Tim Spruit battle it out in the division three mass start Saturday during the Red Deer Speed Skating Club Jeremey Wotherspoon Open at Setters Place. It was one of the first competitive races on the new long track speed skating oval at Great Chief Park. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)


Byron Hackett

About the Author: Byron Hackett

Byron has been the sports reporter at the advocate since December of 2016. He likes to spend his time in cold hockey arenas accompanied by luke warm, watered down coffee.
Read more