Espacata speed skating school won the general classification of the first round of the Speed Skating National Cup in Santo Domingo on Sunday, setting two new national records in the 200 meters event.
The event took place at the new Patinódromo del Malecón Deportivo in the Dominican capital, bringing together around 150 athletes from roughly 15 clubs across the country. The competition officially launched the national calendar for the 2026-2027 season.
Skaters Ali Junior Araujo and Justin Fanol set the two new national marks in their respective divisions. Both athletes belong to the Patina Conmigo training program developed by Espacata.
Araujo set a new national record in the pre-juvenile category by completing the 200 meters in 19.200 seconds. In the cadet division, Fanol established a national record with a time of 20.26 seconds over the same distance. Both times were officially recognized as national records in their categories.
In addition to the individual record performances, Espacata claimed first place in the overall team classification. The victory positioned the school at the top of the standings at the start of the new competitive year.
Coach reactions and development efforts
David Méndez, the coach of Espacata, said the record times reflected the preparation and training process undertaken by the athletes.
Méndez said team members were delighted with the outcome of the opening fixture. He noted that achieving two national records while securing the top spot in the overall classification showed the dedication and discipline displayed by the skaters.
He added that the strong showing would inspire the team to maintain its training and support efforts for young people involved in speed skating.
The Patina Conmigo training program serves as a foundational development initiative within Espacata. The program focuses on teaching core skating techniques, building physical conditioning, and preparing youth competitors for national circuit events.
Venue and competitive context
The tournament marked one of the first major national competitions staged at the newly constructed Patinódromo del Malecón Deportivo. Located along the waterfront avenue in Santo Domingo, the venue features a modern track built to support high-speed inline skating.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, has expanded its sports infrastructure in preparation for major regional athletic events, including hosting the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. The new track provides local clubs with a specialized venue for domestic competition and talent development.
Inline speed skating competitions group athletes into age divisions such as cadet and pre-juvenile to provide structured progression for developing skaters. The 200 meters sprint requires maximum velocity from a standing start and precise edge control on track turns.
The Speed Skating National Cup will continue with additional legs throughout the 2026-2027 national schedule. Espacata leads the general classification heading into the next date of the national championship.
