McKendry proudly holding her province's flag on the podium | Photo Credit: Jack MacDonald
Earlier this month myFM connected with the long-track skating sensation, Clara McKendry, to hear about her then upcoming national competition in Calgary.
McKendry and her father, Jack MacDonald, have returned to the myFM Centre with an update and a shiny bronze to be very proud of.
MacDonald said the family and her coaches were expecting a strong result, but the bronze really surpassed expectations.
The competition was a weekend-long event with skaters racing in four formats; 300m, 500m, 1,600m and a 2.8 kilometre loop consisting of seven laps.
McKendry is best at the longer distances, however she managed to make a statement starting in the 500m heat.
Once the skaters started lining up for the 1.6 and 2.8 kilometre races, McKendry really started to reel in the pace.
McKendry leads the pack | Photo Credit: Jack MacDonald
Her favourite race was the 2.8 kilometre “mass start”, where a swath of skaters were on the start line, itching for that first place.
The father-daughter duo had a plan in mind to slip past the pack.
McKendry was very happy to place on the podium, especially for her debut at the national level.
McKendry and her family came back to the myFM Centre to show off her shiny medal | Mik Horvath/MBC
She was competing with skaters from across the country, and next weekend she’s headed to Quebec for more time trials.
If McKendry does what she does best, it’s off to Halifax for the Canadian Youth Short Track Championships.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
