News Archive

December 17, 2003
US Speedskating National Championships Coming Soon

The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S Olympic Training Facility, will serve as the host for the 2003 United States Long Track Speed Skating Championships, December 20-23, 2003. The Championships will serve as a precursor to other speed skating events and the United States will crown national champions in a multitude of speed skating races.

The Long Track Championships, with racing starting on December 20th at 10am, will feature many notable names, former Olympic medal winners and a multitude of Wisconsin skaters.

The Pettit will be hosting a press conference on Thursday, December 18 at 12:30pm in the Pettit’s Hall of Fame Room. This informal session will feature US speed skaters and US coaches, as well as valuable information concerning the weekend activities. All media are encouraged to attend, meet some top US skaters and enjoy lunch from US Speedskating and The Pettit Center.

Friday night will kick-off the weekend of racing with the highly anticipated “draw”. The draw will determine racing groups for Saturday’s competition. Speaking of Saturday, the meet officially gets underway at 10am with the 500 and the 1000 meters races. Racing will continue until 2pm, with a special public skating session to follow. All those attending the US Championships will get to skate on the same Oval as the competitors did for free! Later that night, it’s another public skating session at 6pm, complete with live music from Local favorites Old Mil. Everyone who skates at the public skating session will get to rock with Old Mil for free!

Racing continues on Sunday at 10am with the 500 and the 1500 meters. Monday is another competition day; this time the cheers will come from local school students watching the 1000 and 3000 meter races. It will be “School Day with US Speedskating” at the Pettit; US skaters will put on a fantastic show much to the delight of a large group of school kids. The US Championships wrap up on Tuesday; racing is 8am-12pm with the 5000 and the 10,000 meters.

This weekend will prove to be a great one at the Pettit with the return of many Wisconsin bred US Speed skaters and the hottest racing action on ice! Tickets are $5 each day or $15 for the four day pass.

For media credentials to secure your spot at any of the weekend’s activities or for more information on the 2003 United States Long Track Speed Skating Championships contact Rob Multerer at the Pettit National Ice Center.

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