Speed Skating Canada – Ottawa, June 21, 2016 – Susan Auch from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was elected as President of Speed Skating Canada (SSC) at the Annual General Meeting of the national organization held last weekend in Ottawa.

Auch, a three-time Olympic medalist in speed skating, was named the interim president following the resignation of her predecessor in April. She is a member of the Board of Directors since 2008, which included a term as Vice President for the past two years.

“I am honored that the Speed Skating Canada membership has entrusted this position to me and I would like to say thank you to everyone”, said Susan Auch.

“In our community, it is everyone’s role to make sure speed skating is continuously improving and growing in the country in all areas: athletes, officials and clubs development, as well as having a safe sport and financially healthy organization. As I went through all levels of the sport in both short and long track from young skater to Olympic medalist, coach, volunteer at grass roots level and at the national level, and now a parent of three young skaters, I believe I am a living, breathing success story of what Speed Skating Canada can and has produced.”

“I also believed that a president, if she is a true leader, can not only make change but will inspire excellence to affect real and cultural changes. We all need to be accountable and that accountability starts with the president. We are Team Speed Skating Canada and with SSC’s leadership, each of our members can inspire and challenge other members to become and sustain being the leading sport organisation in Canada. Let’s get this organization on the top of the podium at every level!”

She will lead the Board of Directors which, following last weekend’s elections, will now include Blair R. Carbert (Calgary, AB) as Vice President, Treasurer Tony Main (Coquitlam, B. C.), and Directors Antonio Faiola (Calgary, AB), Denis Leclerc (Longueuil, QC), Dave McQuaid (Mission, B.C.), Cathy Priestner Allinger (North Saanich, B.C.) and Athlete Director, Leo Landry (Chelsey, QC).

Cathy Priestner Allinger and Dave McQuaid will both make their debut on Speed Skating Canada’s Board of Directors for a two-year mandate, while Carbert and Faiola have been re-elected respectively for a two-year and one year terms.

Cathy Priestner Allinger is a 1976 Olympic silver medalist in the 500m long track event and has been the Managing Director of Sport and Medical and Doping at the 2002 Olympic Games, Executive Vice President, Sport and Games Operations at the 2010 Olympic Games, Board Member and Founder of Own the Podium and is now an international sport consultant.

Dave McQuaid has been involved in amateur sport for over 35 years as a participant and in both organizational and administrative roles. He has been a professional insurance broker in the Vancouver area since 1991 and member of the Board for the British Columbia Speed Skating Board since August 2012. He currently serves as President, a position held since April 2013.

“To conclude, I would like to thank Jim Elliott (North Augusta, ON) who stepped down from the board following seven years of involvement. Thank you Jim for everything you did, especially on the governance points”, added Susan Auch.

Additional details are available on Speed Skating Canada’s website at 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, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval 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