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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