Humboldt Club Wins More Medals than Some Provinces

(Dawson Creek) Humboldt Speed Skaters flew under the radar this weekend at the Canadian Age Class Championships in Dawson Creek B.C. while the world watched the opening ceremonies and first day of the 2006 Olympic games. Dawson Creek is mile zero of the Alaskan highway. Is it also mile zero on the road to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics?

While the country was watching Clara Hughe’s disappointment and Cindy Klassen’s Bronze in Torino this weekend Humboldt skaters Nathan Bernhard and William Dutton just kept winning. When the final tally was in Humboldt had 7 medals: 3 Gold, Silver and 2 Bronze more than several provinces at the 2006 Championship.

Bernhard won his second Championship in two weeks taking 2 Gold and two Silver. By the end of the second day it was clear that only an injury to Bernhard would give anyone else a shot at the overall medal. “Nathan is ready for the big time” said Humboldt coach Craig Dutton. “He dominates his age class and now he’s ready to take on the big boys at the Canada Winter Games next year” he added.

Willie Dutton brought home three Canadian Championship medals, a Gold and two Bronze. Dutton finished a close second in the overall in his age class. The race of weekend featured Dutton, three Quebecers and two B.C. skaters in the junior men’s 1500. Dutton won Gold with what Saskatchewan Provincial coach John Monroe called “the pass of the year. Monroe said "Willie is the only skater in the country who could have won that race with that move."

Three skaters from la Belle Province blocked the western lads for the first 1200 meters. As they hit the final corner at 50 km/hour the Quebecers were in front while Dutton brought up the rear. When the pack broke down the final straight away Dutton was in the lead and the crowd were shaking their heads.

Younger brother and 2005 Midget Canadian Champion Ryan Bernhard was shut out as a first year Juvenile. Ryan suffered equipment problems when his skate blade broke away from the boot after the second race Saturday. A Canadian Tire fiber glass repair kit and a couple hourts billable time had him back in the hunt the next morning in the medal final of the 1500. He finished a very respectable fourth. Ryan will be among the favourites to win next year.

Saskatchewan under twenty skaters picked up a total of 10 medals at the Championship.

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Humboldt Golden at Canadian Championships

(Dawson Creek B.C.) Nathan "Burner" Bernhard and Willie "Willdog" Dutton have are both in the hunt for the Canadian Championship in their age class at the Long Track Age Class Championship in Dawson Creek B.C. Dutton has a Gold and a sixth after suffering equipment problems in the first medal final of the day. He sits second but within striking distance of the leader heading into day two.



In what many are calling the race of the day Dutton was sixth and dead last going into the final corner of the 1500 but pulled a miracle pass on the inside to claim Gold at the line. Provincial coach John Monroe called it "the pass of year." The win kept Dutton's hopes of a championship alive.


Burner Bernhard, the reigning North American Champion, continues to dominate his age group. Bernhard has a Silver and a Gold in the first two distances. He sits first in his age class with two races remaining.



Saskatoon skater Haley Spencer narrowly missed the Bronze in her first race finishing fourth. She was in the hunt for gold in the second but was knocked down by a Alberta skater who was disqualified.

The Saskatchewan team picked up six medals in the first day of competition.