Speed Skating Canada – Calgary, May 15, 2018 – National Long Track Speed Skating Team member and 2014 Olympian William Dutton of Humboldt, SK, announced his retirement from competition.

Dutton, age 28, competed in a total of 83 World Cup races from 2010 to 2018. He made his international debut in 2009 when he qualified to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships in Zakopane, Poland. He also competed in the 2014 Olympics in the 500m and 1000m, where he respectively finished 14th and 26th.

He won a total of five World Cup medals, including gold in the men’s team sprint in Salt Lake City in November of 2015, as well as two silver and two bronze in the 500m. He was also part of the Canadian sprint team that broke the world record in November of 2017 with a time of 1:17.75, which was lowered by another Canadian team a month later.

Dutton competed in two World Sprint Championships, finishing as the top Canadian with an overall seventh place in 2014 in Nagano, Japan, and 38th overall in the 2010 competition in Obihiro, Japan. He also took part in two World Single Distance Championships where he placed 8th in the 500m at the 2016 competition in Kolomna, Russia, and 15th in the 500m at the competition in Gangneung, South Korea, in 2017.

In 2015, Dutton competed in five of seven Red Bull Crashed Ice competitions and won a bronze medal in Finland. He then retired from speed skating, but changed his mind a short time later.

“It was always in my plan to retire at the end of the 2018 Olympic cycle,” said Dutton. “After a short stint of retirement in 2015, I decided that I wanted to give skating one more shot and then, I would be ready to walk away from competitive speed skating.”

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada’s community, I would like to congratulate William Dutton for his achievements throughout his career,” said Speed Skating Canada Chief Executive Officer Susan Auch. “His perseverance and determination took him to the 2014 Olympic Games and, then, brought him back from retirement to win his first World Cup medals. Congratulations again and best wishes in your future endeavours!”

After more than eight years with the National Program, William Dutton will keep many good memories from speed skating.

“The 2016 season was my best as a speed skater,” said Dutton. “I won multiple World Cup medals and skated one of the fastest 500m races in the history of the sport at the time.  My personal favourite was winning my first and second World Cup medals back to back in the 500m in front of a home crowd and getting to share that experience with my family and friends.”

But above all, training camps will remain among Dutton’s favourite memories in the sport.

“Biking across Montana, getting lost on mountains in Oregon, post-training fly fishing excursions; these are the most important memories I will take with me as I retire,” remembered Dutton. “That is where I had the opportunity to build relationships with people who remain my closest friends. My teammates and I had some great adventures and we reminisce every time we get together to catch up.”

William Dutton also took the opportunity to thank his family and girlfriend.

“They encouraged me to pursue my dreams after my first pseudo-retirement, which led me to accomplishing a few of my skating goals that I had not yet ticked off my bucket list. They supported me through the hard times and tried in their own way to help me see the bigger picture.”

“I would also thank my fan group, which always showed up to cheer me on. That includes my grandfather Bill, my girlfriend Liz, my uncles, my aunts, my cousins, my friends, and self-proclaimed lucky charm Kim Wilkowich. I always had one of the loudest cheering sections and when I would watch video reviews for technical sessions, I could always hear their voices and that gave me a little boost to keep striving for improvement.”

“Also, I wish to thank all of the coaches who gave me tools to become successful. I had so many coaches who were extremely dedicated and passionate, and each one helped me in their own way to achieve success. You guys know who you are!”

William Dutton is finishing a degree in kinesiology at the University of Calgary.

“I would encourage those involved in sport to take time to step outside the bubble occasionally and work on their other interests frequently to keep reminding themselves why they are passionate about sport,” he said. “When I truly discovered how much I love speed skating, that was when I was finally able to perform at my best.”

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s web site at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. 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. www.speedskating.ca

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own The Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Official Technical Equipment Supplier: Nagano Skate

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

 

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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