SPEEDKATING: SOLIHULL Mohawk skater Jon Eley took the men’s title at the British Speed Skating Championships at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham with team mates Richard Shoebridge and Josh Cheetham taking second and third place respectively.
Britain’s top speed skaters were undefeated at their first competitive fixture since the ISU World Championships and culminated in a presentation to Eley in recognition of his Team Captain and Flagbearer duties at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
Eley was also awarded with Diplomas for his finishing position in in Sochi along with two other high performers; Jack Whelbourne and Elise Christie.
Mohawk junior male athlete Farrell Treacy was also in the limelight as he took top spot in a very competitive 500m race to cap of a great championship for the skaters and the club.
The two day event saw current members of the GB Short Track squad compete among themselves and against skaters from across the UK to claim the British title. Elise Christie finished top in the senior ladies classification, closely followed by team mate and Mohawk Charlotte Gilmartin.
Performance Director for the squad, Stuart Horsepool commented: “It was good for the squad to get back on the ice to compete this weekend. The British Championships usually takes place in January, but it was postponed this year to ensure it didn’t coincide with the Sochi Winter Olympics. The timing has been ideal for us as it has enabled the athletes to get back into competing after a short break from the ice.
“The nature of short track means that you have to be sharp when you race, so these competitions are critical for Jon, Elise and the rest of the squad to perfect their technique.”
Stuart added: “I’m pleased with how the squad performed this weekend, and we’re now looking forward to training hard on the ice as we build up to the 2014-15 season. True value of this competition is not the titles the athletes have won here, but the race practice that they and the squad now take forward with them”.
The team are now awaiting news later this summer of the UK Sport funding for the next four year cycle, which will conclude with the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
