The Burnaby Haida Speed Skating Club won the Neil Dyer Award as the club with the most points at the BC Long Track Championship staged January 23 – 25, 2009 at the new Richmond Olympic Oval. This the first time the club has won the award.
Competing against 21 other clubs, 27 Burnaby skaters of all ages from ten to 78 raced in distances ranging from 300 m to 3,000 m.
According to head coach Ariana van der Starre, this was one award that long alluded the club since they have always had to travel long distances to compete in long track. The club runs short track speed skating training at the Kensington Arena.
This Championship was a significant competition for club members. Michelle Pepin took Age Class Champion in the Senior Ladies category and Ana Vogl qualified to compete in the Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships in Regina, February 14 and 15, 2009. Woman’s M1 Gold medalist Diane Silzer set two new BC mass start records for covered ovals, and Men’s M1 Gold Medalist Winson Chan set three records.
Gold medals were won by Charlotte Keay, Kaito McLeod, Michelle Pepin, Diane Silzer, Kathy Kealey, Yoko Beriault, Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame member Agatha van der Starre, Winson Chan and Herman Bosman. Silver medals were won by Victor Dinamarca Orrock, Kiersten Hagen, Ana Vogl, Josh Der, Jackie Humber and Agatha van der Starre. Skating away with bronze medals were Teunis Takemori, Anton Shekhter, Jessica Der, Anna Bonga and Mike Hagen.
