In The News

August 30, 2006
International Flavor At The Pettit Center

The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Site, is proud to serve as a training home for skaters from not only the United States, but countries around the world.

Bob Fenn, a local speed skating coach who coached U.S. medal-winner Shani Davis at the 2006 Winter Olympics, formed International Team Milwaukee (ITM), a skating team that features skaters from all corners of the Earth.

Arthur Was, a speed skater from Warsaw, Poland, was the first foreign member of ITM. Was cites world-class U.S. facilities, superior training plans and top-flight ice conditions as to why he chose ITM and the Pettit Center.

“I came to Milwaukee in November of 2005 for the World Cup sprints and was amazed at what was going on,” Was continued after a recent training session. “Milwaukee and the Pettit Center just felt right.”

Was first started speed skating after being a spectator at the 1997 World Championships. After trying every sport under the sun, Was gave speed skating a whirl and fell in love. He discovered that speed skating was “it” and has been working on his dream of an Olympic medal ever since.

A second ITM member is Jose Fazio, from Mar del Plata, Argentina – not known to be a hotbed for speed skating. Fazio, a former member of his country’s national in-line team, began his speed skating career just 5 months ago.

“I hope to figure out speed skating and really learn how to skate well,” Fazio said. “My goal is to be the first-ever South American speed skater in the Olympics.”

Fazio believes if he can accomplish his goal of participating in the 2010 Olympics, many more skaters will follow. Argentina and South American for that matter are loaded with in-line talent that might transition to ice with a big splash from Fazio.

Adding to the international flavor is Phil Brojaka, who hails from London, England.

Also participating on ITM are Illinois’ Lee Eckert; Connor Slivocka, who is from Madison, Wisconsin; and Maryland’s Robert Lawrence who has relocated to Milwaukee to train.

For more information on ITM, any of the skaters listed above or speed skating at the Pettit Center, please contact Rob Multerer by phone at 414.266.0100, ext. 132 or email at rmulterer@thepettit.com.

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