Eight long track speed skaters will lace up their skates to represent Canada at two international events in Collalbo, Italy, next month, taking part in the ISU Junior World Cup 3, scheduled for February 1-2, before finishing off their season with the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships from February 7-9.
The Canadian team for these two international competitions will be comprised of skaters representing five different provinces, including four that will be making their international debut. Athletes were selected based on the results from the 2025 Canadian Junior Long Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance, which were held this past December in Fort St-John.
Two-time national junior champion Julia Snelgrove (Dartmouth, N.S.) leads the charge for an experienced women’s squad that also includes returning skaters Skylar Van Horne (Winnipeg, Man.) and Darby Beeson (Airdrie, Alta.). Calgary’s Isabelle Champagne, who finished third overall at nationals in December, rounds out the squad.
On the men’s side, reigning national champion Jalen Doan (Calgary, Alta.) is only returning skater. He will be joined by newcomers Matthew Mitchell (Fort St. John, B.C.), Adam Buchwald (Winnipeg, Man.) and Alex Wood (Cambridge, Ont.).
Canada is looking to build of a successful World Championships campaign in 2024 that saw them capture four medals, including gold in the men’s team pursuit, silver in the men’s team sprint and bronze in the women’s team sprint. They’ll be competing against over 270 skaters from 35 countries on the world’s fastest open-air rink in Collalbo, a historic venue that has hosted seven World Cups over the past 15 years.
The full list of skaters selected to represent Canada at the ISU Junior World Cup 3 and ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships can be found below:
- Julia Snelgrove (Dartmouth, N.S.)
- Skylar Van Horne (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Isabelle Champagne (Calgary, Alta.)
- Darby Beeson (Airdrie, Alta.)
- Jalen Doan (Calgary, Alta.)
- Matthew Mitchell (Fort St. John, B.C.)
- Adam Buchwald (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Alex Wood (Cambridge, Ont.)
The skaters will be accompanied in Bormio by coaches Philippe Riopel and Reece Williamson-Derraugh, as well as physiotherapist Amy Bauerle.
Media contact:
Alain Brouillette
communications@speedskating.ca
613-601-2630