Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, February 1, 2017 – Canada will be represented at ISU World Cup stages #6, both in short track and long track speed skating, thanks to the financial support of the provincial associations from British Columbia and Quebec.

At the ISU World Cup Short Track stage #6, to be held February 10-12 in Minsk, Belarus, Canada will be represented on the men’s side by Guillaume Bastille of Rivière-du-Loup, QC, Pascal Dion of Montreal, QC, and François Hamelin from Sainte-Julie, QC, who will all skate as well at stage #5 in Dresden, Germany, this weekend. Patrick Duffy of Oakville, ON, will be the fourth skater and he will join his teammates in Europe.

On the women’s side, Kim Boutin of Sherbrooke, QC, Kasandra Bradette from Saint-Félicien, QC, Marie-Ève Drolet and Valérie Maltais from Saguenay, QC, and Jamie Macdonald of Fort St. James, B.C., will represent Canada.

Frédéric Blackburn and Jon Cavar will be the coaches who will accompany the athletes in Minsk.

Marianne St-Gelais, Charles Hamelin, Charle Cournoyer and Samuel Girard had all already planned to come back home after the fifth World Cup stage in order to prepare for the World Championships, which will take place March 10-12 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

As for World Cup #6 in long track, slated for March 10-12 in Stavanger, Norway, Speed Skating Canada will announce in upcoming weeks the list of skaters who will represent Canada.

Speed Skating Canada had initially crossed off World Cups #6 from its schedule, both in long track and short track, but allowed the request that athletes be permitted to attend and compete if other funding could be found. As a result of this decision, BC Speed Skating and the Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec (FPVQ) decided to financially support the athletes who are members of their association.

“On behalf of all members of Speed Skating Canada, I would like to sincerely thank the FPVQ and BC Speed Skating for their support,” said Speed Skating Canada President Susan Auch. “Our original decision to not send athletes to the Short Track and Long Track World Cups #6 wasn’t an easy one, but it was a prudent decision in the long-term interests of our national organization. Fortunately, with the support from FPVQ and BC Speed Skating Association, our athletes will have the opportunity to compete at more international races leading towards the 2018 Olympic Games.  Thank you!”

“As a provincial association, we find it is essential, out of respect for the aspirations of our 6,500 members and for the efforts that are made by our hundreds of devoted volunteers, to allow our best athletes to display their talent on the international scene and to continue to inspire our younger skaters. The Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec is proud of this exceptional measure that has been taken for athletes who are just as exceptional. We invite Quebecers to take part in our public fundraising campaign by visiting FPVQ.org,” said FPVQ President Ron Weiser.

“The British Columbia Speed Skating Association (BCSSA) is glad to fully support Jamie Macdonald, one of our province’s proud representatives, to attend the ISU World Cup #6 in Belarus, in partnership with Speed Skating Canada,” said BCSSA Executive Director Ted Houghton. “We wish continued success to Jamie on the World Cup circuit and are pleased we are able to support her in her quest for success.”

Members of the Canadian team for the ISU World Cup Short Track #6 in Minsk, Belarus:

WOMEN

-BOUTIN, Kim (Sherbrooke, QC)
-BRADETTE, Kasandra (Saint-Félicien, QC)
-DROLET, Marie-Ève (Saguenay, QC)
-MACDONALD, Jamie (Fort St. James, B.C.)
-MALTAIS, Valérie (Saguenay, La Baie borough, QC)

MEN
-BASTILLE, Guillaume (Rivière-du-Loup, QC)
-DION, Pascal (Montréal, QC)
-DUFFY, Patrick (Oakville, ON)
-HAMELIN, François (Sainte-Julie, QC)

More information is available at Speed Skating Canada’s website: www.speedskating.ca.

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 and Samsung, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.

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For information:

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