Speed Skating Canada – The Fall World Cup Selections will be held October 20-23 in Calgary

Calgary, October 11, 2016 – Speed Skating Canada is inviting media representatives to come and meet the Long Track National Team members Monday morning, October 17 (see schedule below), at Calgary’s Olympic Oval, a few days prior to the start of the 2016-2017 season which will kick off with the Fall World Cup Selections, October 20-23, at the Olympic Oval.

The best long track skaters in the country who will take part in this competition will vye for a spot on the Canadian team for the Fall World Cups which will start in Changchun, China, November 11-13.

Among them, individual medalists at the 2016 World Single Distance Championships will be in action: Ivanie Blondin, Ted-Jan Bloemen, who just broke the 5000m Canadian Record, and Alex Boisvert-Lacroix, as well as these who were on the World Cup podium last season Laurent Dubreuil, William Dutton, Gilmore Junio, Heather McLean and Alexandre St-Jean.

The Fall World Cup Selections will also be a comeback for Denny Morrison in a sanctioned competition in 18 months. Coming back from a motorcycle accident in 2015 and a cerebrovascular accident last April, the four-time Olympic medalist did a personal best in the 3000m just weeks ago.

WHEN AND WHAT?     Monday, October 17

Training: 10:30 am to 11:50 am (image opportunity)
Media availability: 12 pm to 1 pm (interviews)

WHO?                          The skaters who will take part in the Fall World Cup Selections, including individual medalists at last year World Ivanie Blondin, Ted-Jan Bloemen and Alex Boisvert-Lacroix, the 2015-2016 World Cup medalists Laurent Dubreuil, William Dutton, Gilmore Junio, Heather McLean and Alexandre St-Jean, as well as Denny Morrison

Speed Skating Canada’s Long Track National Team Head Coach Mike Crowe and coaches

WHERE?                       Calgary’s Olympic Oval

2500, University Dr NW

About Speed Skating Canada
Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.

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For information:
Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC 

Patrick Godbout
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca
Phone: 514 213-9897
Website: www.speedskating.ca 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC