Woody wins AIHL fastest skater

The Air Canada Fastest Skater Competition was fast and furious and we finally saw how much speed our favourite skaters have on clear ice. In the first battle of Team Rezek and Team Boyle for the weekend early bragging rights were also on the line which meant this was no simple contest. The cream of the crop rose right at the beginning as Ales Kratoska won for Team Rezek against Kahu Joyce, with that win only a sign of what was to come for Team Rezek.

Rob Haselhurst, Nathan Chiarlitti, Vadim Virjassov and Ellesse Carini added their names to the winners’ list in a sweep by Team Rezek - although Charles Adams gave Chiarlitti a hot contest. Having already tripped one another up at the starting line, the duo crashed together on the home straight and while he looked like a pancake after slapping on the ground, Chiarlitti still scrambled home in first.

Despite the sweep, the final called for a Team Rezek v Team Boyle clash and it was Woodman who took on hometown fave and fasted of the lot, Kratoska. Everyone loves an underdog though and this one had the last laugh after Kratoska careened into him on the home straight. Both skaters fell to their knees and even though Kratoska got up first Woodman spun home with a victory slide and a time of 12.53. Who even needs to skate when you can slide?