17 Sep 2024 to the 17 Sep 2024
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
KEN SUTTER MEMORIAL SPEED SKATING COMPETITION
On 21st December 1982 Ken Sutter, an 18-year-old skater from the Noble Park Skating Club, died tragically at work as a result of an industrial accident. The friendship and esteem in which Ken was held by the skating community at large was clearly evidenced by the large number of skaters and officials who attended his funeral.
Initially as a Junior, Ken trained with, and competed for, the Roller City Frankston club later transferring to Noble Park Skating Club, racing as an Intermediate, then as a Senior. Ken’s highest individual placing at a Victorian Championship was third. However, shortly before his death he won a 5,000m track race at a Grand Prix competition held at Noble Park.
It should be clearly stated here that the purpose of the competition this weekend is not to remember Ken’s skating achievements, good as they were, but rather to acknowledge his attitude and dedication to the sport he loved. In preparing this brief biography of Ken, the picture drawn of him by those he knew was one of an athlete who always gave of his best, whether it was at training or during a race. He was a keen, but fair, competitor who earned the friendship and respect of those who knew him as a speed skater.
Above all, Ken was known for his good nature and the determination with which he raced, regardless of where he was placed in a race. It was with respect to these attributes that at the 1984 Victorian Championships the Open Senior Men 5,000m track final was named in his honour as the “Ken Sutter Memorial”. A perpetual trophy in Ken’s name has been awarded each year since.
In 1986 a competition known as the “Ken Sutter Memorial Speed Skating Competition” was introduced, the purpose of which is two fold. Firstly, it serves to remind us of Ken and the contribution he gave to us all and to our sport. Secondly, it is to acknowledge the skater who, over the course of the competition, best exhibits those qualities that were admired of Ken with a perpetual trophy suitably inscribed with the words:
“Ken Sutter – The Legend”
For more details, please phone Jon Evans on 0438 651168.
