Nunavut's speedskating outfit at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., isn't out of it yet in terms of the 500-metre and 1,500-metre events but they will need a big day on Feb. 18.
The 1,500-metre will be the focus that day following the heats and quarter-finals the day before. The four girls and two boys, all from Iqaluit, were in the ice in their heats looking to nail down spots in the quarter-finals. It didn't happen, though, meaning they were placed in the repechage round. It's not game over for good but they will need an amazing result if any of them are to advance to the semifinals.
Kyle St. Laurent is the team's head coach and he said his skaters looked great, even if they were all a bundle of nerves before the racing began.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey were nervous and the jitters were there,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淎s soon as the racing began, they got more confident and they looked a little more relaxed.SA国际影视传媒
All but one of the team is brand new to this kind of pressure cooker. Hayden Hickey is the only one who's done this before, having competed at the 2015 Games in Prince George, B.C.
St. Laurent said Hickey is looked at by the team for leadership and he's happy to be that anchor.
SA国际影视传媒淗e's definitely our team leader,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淗e been here before, he knows what to expect, and that's so important. The other skaters ask him for advice on what to do and how to perform and he's helping. It's almost like having an extra coach.SA国际影视传媒
Following the 1,500-metre repechage, the team will have a day off and then get into the 500-metre repechage on Wednesday with the 1,000-metre races wrapping things up on Thursday.
St. Laurent said that's where he expects good things to happen.
SA国际影视传媒淚'm very confident we'll be breaking some Nunavut records in that event,SA国际影视传媒 he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hose times have been standing for a long time but Hayden and Taryn Lavallee have been clocking some great times so they should be close to breaking those records.SA国际影视传媒