New Brunswick’s speed skating high-performance center came to fruition through a combination of aspiration and initial financial support. Initially, a small group of approximately twelve adept skaters dedicated themselves to rigorous training sessions five days a week in Fredericton, the provincial capital.
Derrick MacLeod, the group’s high-performance coach who now serves as the provincial technical director and coach for Speed Skate New Brunswick, described the early days as a labor of passion. Their objective was to nurture a medallist for the Canada Games and provide a top-notch training environment for young athletes. The remarkable success achieved by the skaters exceeded MacLeod’s expectations.
Notably, three skaters from the group are presently participating in short track speed skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Among them, Courtney Sarault, hailing from Moncton, New Brunswick, made history by clinching a bronze in the women’s 500 meters event, becoming the first non-Quebec Canadian to secure an individual short track speed skating medal.
Sarault’s remarkable journey continued with a silver medal in the women’s 1,000 meters event, showcasing her determination and resilience. Her inspiring performances have not only garnered accolades but have also ignited hopes for aspiring athletes from smaller communities to dream big and strive for excellence.
In addition to Sarault, Rikki Doak and Brendan Corey, both from New Brunswick, are representing the province at the Olympics. Their exceptional achievements underscore the burgeoning talent and potential within the region, with promising young skaters like Courtney Charlong already making waves in international competitions.
With a modest population of under a million, New Brunswick boasts an impressive infrastructure supporting speed skating, including Olympic-sized ice rinks and multiple speed skating clubs. Despite Quebec’s dominance in short track speed skating, MacLeod believes that New Brunswick skaters can compete at the highest levels and emerge victorious.
The recent successes of Sarault, Doak, Corey, and Charlong have not only brought glory to New Brunswick but have also inspired future generations of athletes in the region. Their exemplary performances serve as a testament to the province’s rising prominence in the world of speed skating, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.