Speeding ahead

Bridgwater

Skylar Van Horne’s junior speedskating career may have just ended, but she’s eagerly anticipating making the jump to the senior circuit for the 2026-27 season.

Van Horne, an 18-year-old who grew up in Bridgwater but moved to Calgary to study and train last fall, wrapped up her junior career in February after a successful final season in the junior ranks. In January, she finished second overall at the Canadian junior championships, which guaranteed her a spot on the Canadian team at the junior world championships in Inzell, Germany.

Van Horne, who races at the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000-metre distances, registered a couple of top 10s in her individual events and was a member of the Canadian trio that finished third in the team sprint event, setting a Canadian record in the process.

However, the Canadian skaters disqualified for an equipment issue, which left a bad taste, so Van Horne and her teammates set out to prove something when they got back to the training base in Calgary.

“Last weekend, we skated the team sprint again with the same team for fun on our home ice,” she said. “We went even faster and got the Canadian record.”

That achievement was likely just for personal pride, as the proper recording systems to certify records were not in place, but the story exemplifies the mentality that has elevated Van Horne to elite status at a young age.

She is a third-generation speedskater who began skating at her local club when she was eight years old. She soon raced against older skaters and began competing seriously at 11, when she joined the provincial development team.

Van Horne played several sports growing up and attribute her skating success in part to her multi-sport experience. She finds that running, cycling and weightlifting help vary her routine while maintaining fitness. Sports such as tennis help improve hand-eye coordination. Everything contributes to physical literacy.

“I think it’s good playing multiple sports growing up because you have a lot of different skills,” Van Horne said. “My current career is the result of all the little things I learned as a kid.”

Van Horne said loves to compete in the team sprint event, which sees three skaters begin the 1,200-metre race, one behind the other, for each team. One skater drops off after each lap until the final skater is left to complete final 400-metre lap alone. Van Horne skated in second spot for the Canadian junior team. She likes it because she can push herself to go her fastest for the one lap that she leads her group.

It’s been Van Horne’s spot for three years. Her teammate, Julia Snelgrove, has followed her in the final spot all three years.

“We’ve got it down pretty good with our teamwork,” Van Horne said. “It’s been fun doing team sprint over the years with Julia. She’s my roommate and we’ve become really good friends.”

In the midst of a busy skating schedule, Van Horne has been adjusting to living in a new city and beginning her engineering studies at the University of Calgary, which comes with rigorous academic requirements.

Van Horne admitted it was a struggle at first, but she communicated regularly with professors and academic advisers.

“Everyone’s willing to help you if you put in the work,” she said. “Once you have it down and create your own schedule, you can get into a routine.”

After a brief rest, Van Horne will return to full training as she awaits the next stage in her career — her senior debut. While she’s excited, she has tempered expectations.

“I want to focus on my racing and my technique and how I want to race and see where that gets me,” Van Horne said. “I’m looking forward to next year.”