The Pettit National Ice Center will host the Long Track Fall World Cup Qualifier Oct. 14-16.
The top speedskaters will compete on the Pettit Center’s Olympic Oval to earn places on the US Fall World Cup team that will travel to six different international sites to compete.
The event is free and open to the public to watch.
Expected to compete on the men’s side include Olympians Shani Davis (Chicago, Illinois), Brian Hansen (Glenview, Illinois), Mitch Whitmore (Waukesha), Emery Lehman (Chicago, Illinois), KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Washington), Jonathan Garcia (Houston, Texas) and Joey Mantia (Ocala, Florida)
Expected to compete on the women’s side include Olympians Heather Richardson Bergsma (High Point, North Carolina), Sugar Todd (Omaha, Nebraska), Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. (Wheaton, Illinois), Rebekah Bradford (Apple Valley, Minnesota), and Kelly Gunther (Clinton Township, Michigan).
"The Pettit Center is thrilled to launch the long track season for US Speedskating by hosting this Qualifier. With the Summer Games just past, the 2018 Winter Games are in focus for athletes, coaches, and fans," said Randy Dean, Executive Director at the Pettit Center.
Below is the schedule of events:
Men
Day 1: Friday, Oct. 14 – 500m #1, 5000m
Day 2: Saturday, Oct. 15 – 500m #2, 1500m
Day 3: Sunday, Oct. 16 – 1000m, Mass Start
Women
Day 1: Friday, Oct. 14 – 500m #1, 3000m
Day 2: Saturday, Oct. 15 – 500m #2, 1500m
Day 3: Sunday, Oct. 16 – 1000m, Mass Start
Competition is expected to begin at 9 a.m. each day and is expected to be completed by 1 p.m.
