Manitoba capital organizes first national-level short track competition in 15 years

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – Winnipeg hosted nearly 100 skaters from five different provinces at last weekend’s 2026 Canadian Youth Short Track Championships West presented by Intact Insurance, which were held at the RINK Training Centre. It marked the event’s return to the Manitoba capital for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

The Canadian Youth Short Track Championships features skaters aged 11 to 13 and serves as an introduction for developing skaters to represent their province or territory on the national stage. The competition welcomed a total of 99 skaters from British Columbia (35), Alberta (32), Saskatchewan (14), Manitoba (11) and Northwest Territories (7).

Participants kicked off the competition Friday with a Camp Day featuring on ice and off ice activities led by volunteer coaches. Skaters hit the ice Saturday and Sunday to compete for individual distance titles in the 400m, 800m, 1200m, 1500m and 1000m Super Final, while also taking part in a 2000m ability-based relay amongst all age groups.

Finishing the competition ranked atop their respective categories were Seoeun Ku (British Columbia, 11 Female), Lindsay Stipdonk (Northwest Territories, 12 Female) and Hope Allen (Alberta, 13 Female), along with Anbo Wang (British Columbia, 11 Male), Nicolas Yi (British Columbia, 12 Male) and Grayson Beagan (Alberta, 13 Male).

British Columbia led the way with an impressive 26 total medals, including 10 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze. Alberta finished second overall with 16 medals, while the three remaining provinces all reached the podium a handful of times as well.

In addition to podium performances, four athletes received True Sport Champion Awards in recognition of their commitment to bringing the True Sport Principles to life through their actions on and off the ice.

Ross Mathewson (British Columbia)
Fergus Millar (Saskatchewan)
Brooke Magee (Manitoba)
Ivan Raska (Northwest Territories)