Speed Skating Canada – Competitions will be held this weekend, December 2-4

Astana, Kazakhstan, November 29, 2016 – Speed Skating Canada announced its final line-up today, including events for each Canadian skater, for the third ISU World Cup Long Track Speed Skating of the season to be held this weekend, December 2-4, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

From the 20 athletes who took part in the World Cup #1 in Harbin, China, and #2 in Nagano, Japan, 16 will continue their trip with the Canadian team for the World Cup #3 in Astana, Kazakhstan, and #4 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.

Athletes have been selected per Speed Skating Canada’s selection criterias, by being qualified for Division A in one or many events for World Cup #3 and #4, or by being ranked top 20 and top half in one or many events following the first two World Cups of the season.

On the women’s side, Ivanie Blondin from Ottawa, ON, will aim to pursue her great season start following her three medals so far in two World Cups, including gold in Mass Start and bronze in the 3000m in Harbin, China, as well as a silver medal in Mass Start in Nagano, Japan. In Astana, Blondin will take part in the 1000m, 3000m and Mass Start events.

In the women’s 500m, Marsha Hudey from White City, SK, will try to be on the World Cup podium for the first time ever following three fourth place positions at the first two stages.

In the men’s 500m, the best Canadian so far this season, Laurent Dubreuil from Lévis, QC, will be joined by William Dutton from Humboldt, SK, as well as Christopher Fiola from Montréal, QC, and Alex Boisvert-Lacroix from Sherbrooke, QC, who both advanced to spots in the A division. They will all aim to win a first Canadian medal this season in this event to be held twice in Astana. Alexandre St-Jean from Quebec City, 13^th last season in the 500m World Cup overall ranking, will take part in his first 500m race this season in the B Division.

Two other skaters also got promoted to the A group in Astana following their performances in Nagano: Denny Morrison from Fort St. John, B.C., in the 1500m and Kaylin Irvine from Calgary, AB, in the 1000m.

The World Cup will start Friday with the first women’s 500m and 3000m, as well as the men’s 5000m. Saturday, the first men’s 500m, the 1000m and team pursuit events are scheduled while, Sunday, the second 500m events, the 1500m and Mass Start will take place. 

Coaches Bart Schouten and Mark Wild will accompany the Canadian athletes with the National Team Head Coach, Mike Crowe.

Members of the Canadian national team for the ISU World Cup Long Track #3 in Astana, Kazakhstan

WOMEN                                                             

-BLONDIN, Ivanie (Ottawa, ON) – 1000m, 3000m, Mass Start
-FISET, Noémie (Quebec City, QC) – 500m

-HUDEY, Marsha (White City, SK) – 500m, 1000m
-IRVINE, Kaylin (Calgary, AB) – 500m, 1000m, 1500m
-McLEAN, Heather (Winnipeg, MB) – 500m, 1000m
-TUTT, Brianne (Airdrie, AB) – 1500m, 3000m
-WEIDEMANN, Isabelle (Ottawa, ON) – 1500m, 3000m

MEN

-BELCHOS, Jordan (Toronto, ON) – 5000m, Mass Start
-BLOEMEN, Ted-Jan (Calgary, AB) – 1500m, 5000m
-BOISVERT-LACROIX, Alex (Sherbrooke, QC) – 500m
-De HAÎTRE, Vincent (Cumberland, ON) – 1000m, 1500m
-DUBREUIL, Laurent (Lévis, QC) – 500m, 1000m
-DUTTON, William (Humboldt, SK) – 500m
-FIOLA, Christopher (Montréal, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, QC) – 500m, 1000m
-MORRISON, Denny (Fort St. John, B.C.) – 1000m, 1500m
-ST-JEAN, Alexandre (Quebec City, QC) – 500m, 1000m

More information, including the competition schedule, 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, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.

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