Saskatoon speed skater among top young talents in Canada

Luca Veeman loves speed. The 16-year-old is one of Saskatchewan's promising young speed skaters.

Less than two weeks ago the student from Walter Murray Collegiate in Saskatoon won bronze in the overall rankings at the Canadian Junior Championships in Calgary, competing against athletes from speed skating powerhouses such as Alberta and Quebec.

"With all the upsets and unknowns this year, I kind of tried to stay reserved until I saw it in writing," said Luca Veeman.

"It was a pretty amazing feeling when I saw my name…. I was pretty over the moon."

The competition was part of the Long Track Canada Cup 3 from March 11 to 13 at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.

After racing the 500 m, 1,000 m, 1,500 m and 5,000 m, Luca Veeman placed third behind silver medallist Jalen Doan and Junior Canadian Allround Champion Max Pouli – both from Alberta.

But the Saskatoon athlete's success was hampered somewhat by COVID-19.

In non-pandemic times his bronze medal position would have meant a ticket to the World Junior Speed Skating Championships as a member of Canada's junior national team, said Tim Comfort, provincial coach with the Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association.

However, this was not the case this year because the initial Canadian trials for the international event had to be postponed, he explained

"They were originally to be held in Quebec City in December," said Comfort.

"COVID was really bad in Quebec at that time, and they cancelled the trials. But they didn't cancel the Junior World [Championships]. So they went ahead without Canada, and Luca didn't get his opportunity."

The international competition took place in late January, before Luca Veeman won his bronze medal.

Despite missing this opportunity, the Saskatoon athlete is