Speed Skating Canada – Calgary, September 26, 2016 – Long track speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen of Calgary, AB, broke the Men’s 5000m National Record that he’s owned since last year, Saturday, September 24, at Calgary’s Olympic Oval Fall Classic competition.

Bloemen skated the 5000m in 6:11.64, lowering his previous mark of more than one second (6:12.72), a time he clocked on November 13, 2015, again in Calgary.

“I didn’t expect this at all! It’s a very nice confidence boost at the start of the season”, commented Bloemen who, last year, also broke the 10,000m World Record. “I skated better Saturday then I had been doing in training last week. It means that I did the right things this summer and it is now coming together.”

The 30 years old skater said he was motivated by his teammate’s performance Denny Morrison, Friday.

Following a cerebrovascular accident on April 23, 2016, and a serious motorcycle accident on May 7, 2015, the four-time Olympic medalist lowered his personal best in the 3000m, Friday, September 23, also at the Fall Classic competition.

Morrison clocked a time of 3:42.21, a new personal best of more than one second (3:43.47) which happened in October 2005. This new personal record for Morrison is a first since March 2009 (1000m).

“I was very inspired by Denny Friday. I think that race was very impressive!”, said Bloemen.

More 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.

– 30 –

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

 

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