Kearns, UT (October 8, 2015) – In partnership with the International Skating Union (ISU), Utah Sports Commission, and US Speedskating, the second competition of the 2015/16 ISU World Cup Speed Skating circuit makes a stop in Salt Lake City on November 20 to 22, 2015. The event will be held at the Utah Olympic Oval, official 2002 Olympic Winter Games venue for long track speed skating, located in the township of Kearns.
Race officials anticipate a competitive field of 200 international long speed skating athletes representing over 20 countries. The competition includes races in the following distances: 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m (women only), 5000m and 10,00m (men only). All races will be held on the 400-meter Olympic Oval.
The ISU first organized Speed Skating World Cup competitions 30 years ago. The competitions are formatted so that skaters could be ranked by cumulative score during the season, for each distance separately. There are four World Cup speed skating competitions in the 2015-2016 season. The event at Utah Olympic Oval is the second in the series which includes stops in Calgary, Canada; Inzell, Germany; and Heerenveen, Netherlands. The last time Utah hosted a World Cup speed skating event was in 2013 ahead of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
With three days of competition, November 20 to 22, World Cup speed skating races are scheduled from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. each day. On Friday, November 20, admission to the races will be free. General admission tickets will be available online at UtahOlympicLegacy.org and in person and at the Utah Olympic Oval, located at 5662 South Cougar Lane in Kearns, on Thursday, October 8. Tickets are: $5 for adults; $3 for kids (ages 3 to 12) and seniors (ages 65 and older). Children ages 2 and under are free.
As part of the competition, there will be a community festival on Saturday and Sunday held inside the Oval arena from noon to 5:00 P.M. The festival will feature a uniquely Utah western theme and an opportunity to experience sport-themed activities. The community festival is held in partnership with the Kearns Community Council with additional support by Salt Lake County.
"The Utah Olympic Oval is widely regarded as one of the world's premier venues that brings the world's best speed skaters to Utah," said Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "This venue, and US Speedskating who calls it home, are a key part of Utah's Olympic legacy efforts."
"We are thrilled to have the ISU World Cup back in Utah and at the Utah Olympic Oval," said Ted Morris, Executive Director of US Speedskating. “The Oval is the perfect place to showcase the sport of long track speed skating and we look forward to being the perfect host to speed skating fans and the fastest skaters in the world.”
“The Utah Olympic Oval and Kearns community look forward to hosting skaters from all over the world,” said Todd Porter, Utah Olympic Oval General Manager. “We anticipate fierce competition and feel confident many personal bests and world records will be set over the three days of racing.”
Home to the 'Fastest Ice on Earth’, over 100 world records have been set at the Utah Olympic Oval since 2002. For more information on this event, race schedules, and to purchase tickets, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.org.
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About US Speedskating
From Pond to Podium, we are US Speedskating. We grow and nurture a sport where all ages can experience the thrill of speed and the camaraderie of the skating community. US Speedskating is responsible for the development of speed skating from grassroots to the highest elite racing programs. US Speedskating is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speed skating in the United States. The Organization has won 86 Olympic medals to-date, making it one of the most successful sports in U.S. Olympic history. US Speedskating is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, on Facebook and at www.usspeedskating.org.
About Utah Sports Commission
The Utah Sports Commission, a not-for-profit 501c6 business league and Utah Sports Commission Foundation, a not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization, are governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees consisting of statewide sports, business, community, and government leaders. The Sports Commission was created to be a catalyst for Utah in its Olympic legacy efforts and to help enhance Utah's economy, image and quality of life through the attraction, promotion and development of national and international sports. The Sports Commission works closely with communities, sports entities, and organizations to provide event services ranging from the bid process, on-site logistics, volunteer coordination, sponsorships and promotional opportunities and other related services. For more information, visit www.utahsportscommission.com
About Utah Olympic Oval
Built in 2001 just in time for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Utah Olympic Oval is located in the community of Kearns, just 16 miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah. The five-acre venue houses Utah’s only 400-meter speed skating oval and two international-sized ice sheets as well as a state-of-the-art four-lane 442-meter running track. Today, Utah Olympic Oval is a dynamic multi-use facility focused on developing and growing participation in ice sports in the state of Utah. Designated an official U.S. Olympic Training Site by the United States Olympic Committee, the venue is headquarters for US Speedskating, ensuring a legacy of continued growth and international success for the sport. With 10 Olympic records and eight world records, the venue stands uncontested as the Fastest Ice on Earth. For more information about the venue, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.org or call 801-968-6825.
