Double-medal haul at Special Olympic Winter Games for Ian Walgren
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ian Walgren of Nelson captured a pair of Speed Skating medals — Silver and Bronze — at the Special Olympic Winter Games February 21-23 in Vernon.
Walgren, competing for Region 1 — Kootenays, is the first ever SOBC speed skater to represent Region one and the first to medal in the Speed skating event.
Walgren also carried the banner for Region 1 during the opening ceremonies.
On the track, Walgren was entered in four races.
In the 777 meter race, Walgren fell but managed to finish the race to qualify for finals. He also advanced to the second round in the 222 meters, 333 metres and 500 meters events.
Walgren posted several personal best times during the qualifying races, advancing the Nelson native to Tier one category. In 777 meter race placed sixth out of a field of 14 skaters, missing fifth by a half second.
In the 222 meter race, Walgren posted yet another personal best time in capturing the Silver Medal passing one of his rivals as they exited the last corner. In the 333 meter race, Walgren again posted a personal best time to place fourth, missing the Bronze by three tenths of a second.
Walgren’s final race of the day was the 500 m event, a race against one of the fastest skaters in the competition. Walgren managed to keep pace, to finish in an eventually tie for the Bronze medal posting a time of 1:04.250
Walgren now waits to see if he has qualified to be on Team BC and compete in the Canada SOBC Winter Games in Thunder Bay Ontario at the end of February 2020.
