Long Track Speedskating at its best

October 13, 2009-Milwaukee, WI. The Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, WI, is the first stopping point for long track speedskaters as they begin the qualification process for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. More than 80 skaters have qualified to participate in the event which will select the 2009-2010 U.S. World Cup team.

 

Returning Olympians Chad Hedrick (Spring, TX), Jen Rodriguez (Miami, FL), Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, WI), Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) Nick Pearson (West Allis, WI), Maria Lamb (River Falls, WI) and Elli Ochowicz (Palo Alto, CA) are ready to make another run at the Olympic Games. Additionally, long track speedskaters Trevor Marsicano (Ballston Spa, NY), Brian Hansen (Glenview, IL), Heather Richardson (High Point, NC), Ryan Bedford (Midland, MI) and Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr. (Wheaton, IL) had breakthrough seasons last year, competing at the 2009 World Single Distance Championships, and are ready to earn their places on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.

 

"We're really excited and fortunate to hold this event and look forward to welcoming the coaches, athletes, officials and fans for a great four days of racing," said Rob Multerer, PNIC Director of Operations.

 

World Cup team members selected during the event will compete at five World Cup events in November and December to earn qualifying spots on the Olympic roster with the final World Cup event held in Salt Lake City, UT on December 11-13. The U.S. can have up to five World Cup team spots for men in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5K and 10K. The ladies can earn up to five World Cup spots in the 500m and 1000m, and four spots in the 1500m, 3K and 5K.  

 

Once the skaters earn a place on the World Cup team, they must be ranked on the ISU specialty list in order to skate at the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Because of the ISU ranking system, the World Cup events are extremely important for Olympic qualification.

 

The Milwaukee event, held at sea-level to replicate ice conditions in Vancouver, runs over a span of five days. Competitors must have a qualifying time for each distance they skate. The racing schedule is as follows:

Day 1   500m #1 and #2 (Men and Ladies)

Day 2   1000m #1 (Men and Ladies)

            3000m (Ladies)

            5000m (Men)

Day 3   Rest Day

Day 4   1500m (Men and Ladies)

Day 5   1000m #2 (Men and Ladies)

            5000m (Ladies)

            10,000m (Men)

 

"This World Cup qualifying event will feature Olympic Champions alongside of Olympic hopefuls, all in pursuit of the opportunity to represent the United States in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games," said Bob Crowley, US Speedskating Executive Director. "This event is the first step for these skilled athletes to qualify for that coveted starting position on the line in Vancouver."