MONTREAL, QUEBEC – The world’s top short track speed skaters will be staying in Montreal for a little bit longer, following the International Skating Union’s decision to relocate next weekend’s ISU Short Track World Tour stop from Salt Lake City to Montreal.
The first stop of the World Tour got underway at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal on Friday, where over 200 skaters are competing on the newly rebranded international circuit. The tour was slated to make it’s way west to Salt Lake City next weekend, but the ISU announced the cancellation of that competition due to compliance issues related the ice-level safety padding at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Speed Skating Canada was asked by the ISU, and subsequetly accepted, to host the event in Montreal this coming weekend, from November 1-3.
“While this is a very unfortunate situation, we’re happy to partner with the ISU to help deliver the second stop of the World Tour here in Montreal next weekend. We strongly believe in this new competition concept and the investment being made to help short track reach new audiences. We’re glad to be part of the solution that will ensure athletes and fans of the sport don’t miss out on an important event in the international calendar,” shared Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada.
Montreal is a leader in short track speed skating and has a well-documented history of delivering world-class competitions. A perennial World Cup host since the circuit started in 1998, the city has also hosted the ISU World Short Track Championships on five separate occasions, most recently following the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
“We’ve organized international events on short notice before, but this will be our biggest undertaking yet. While there will certainly be challenges, we’re confident that our organizing committee and volunteers will rise to the occasion and deliver a successful event. We’re excited to invite sport fans across Montreal to join us once again next weekend to cheer on our Canadian skaters, added Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada.
Ticketing details for next weekend’s ISU World Tour event will be shared with speed skating fans and the general public in the coming days. Visit www.courtepiste.ca for more information.
CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Speed Skating Canada
abrouillette@speedskating.ca
613-601-2630