In The News

June 7, 2006
Pettit Center To Host Top Speed Skating Events

The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Facility, will host some of the most prestigious speed skating events in North America during the 2006-2007 season. The events were awarded to the Pettit Center by the national governing body, U.S. Speedskating.

“We are looking forward to bringing these high-profile speed skating events to Milwaukee,” said Cindy Yomantas, the Pettit Center’s Executive Director. “Together with our regular calendar of competitions, these events should increase the annual economic impact of the Pettit Center beyond $1 million.” Last season the Pettit Center hosted a World Cup, and that event alone was estimated by Visit Milwaukee to have had an economic impact of nearly $700,000.

The Pettit Center’s competitive season will begin October 19, 2006 with the U.S Single Distance Championships/Fall World Cup Qualifier. At this event, the 2006-07 World Team will be selected. Olympians from the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games are expected to participate.

Next up is the 2007 U.S. Long Track Championships, to be held December 20-23, 2006. The top skaters in the country will travel to Milwaukee for this event to crown national champions in all distances (500-meters, 1000-meters, 1500-meters, 3000-meters, 5000-meters and 10,000-meters).

The Pettit Center will take on an international feel when the facility hosts the North America Regional Oceania Qualifier January 13-14, 2007. The best skaters from the United States and Canada will attempt to qualify for the 2007 World All Round Championships during this two-day competition. All distances (500-meter through 10,000-meters, along with 100-meter races) will be raced by North America’s best long track skaters; including 2006 U.S. and Canadian Olympians.

A preliminary Pettit Center speed skating calendar is below for your review.

For more information on any of the speed skating events and competitions to be held at the Pettit Center during the 2006-2007 season, please contact Rob Multerer by phone at 414.266.0100, ext. 132 or by email at rmulterer@thepettit.com.

Contact: Rob Multerer
Director of Operations
Pettit National Ice Center
414.266.0100, ext. 132
rmulterer@thepettit.com