sports - october 2009

U.S. speed skating trials return to Pettit Center

FOR THE FIRST time in more than 10 years, the Pettit National Ice Center this month hosts the U.S. World Cup Qualifying Competition to determine long track speedskaters who will represent the U.S. in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Long a training facility for national and interna- tional speedskaters, the Pettit center has been over- shadowed in recent years by a second Olympic training center in Utah. But the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, will be at sea level, giving the edge to the Pettit Center in West Allis, also at sea level.

“The Pettit Center is proud to lead the selection of the long track team that will compete in the Olympic Winter Games,” commented Randy Dean, executive director. “This promises to be a very exciting and important competition, which is appropriate for us to host, given the ‘gold medal’ legacy of the Petit Center.” Over the years, the Pettit has been home ice for Olympic medalists, including Wisconsin gold medalists Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair.

Expected to compete October 21, 22, 24 and 25, are 2006 Olympic gold medalists Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick, and Trevor Marsicano, a rising star in U.S. speed skating. Marsicano was the first man to skate under 1 minute, 7 seconds in the 1,000 meters, setting a world record in March at the Utah Olympic oval. The new record, however, stood for only 22 minutes until Davis set a new standard.

Both Davis (pictured right) and Marsicano use the Pettit Center for the major portion of their training. “This is just the first step in what could be the most important and exciting year for not only me, but all U.S. speed- skaters,” commented Marsicano before a recent training session. “Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin and the entire Midwest will be treated to a great show at the Pettit.”

The racing schedule covers four days:
• Oct. 21 and 22: Racing begins at 6 p.m. both days.
• Oct. 24 and 25: Racing begins at 1 p.m. both days.

In addition to the qualifying races, each of the four days will include a full complement of skating exhibitions and demonstrations, fan promotion and in-competition entertainment.

Single-day tickets are $12 in advance (on or before Oct. 18) and $15 the day of racing (on or after Oct. 19). All-day passes for all four days of competition are available for $40.

The Pettit Center also plans a special dinner event to bring back to Milwaukee former Olympic speedskaters. On Oct. 23, more than 30 former Olympians, many of whom trained and competed here, will return as part of a fundraiser to support the Pettit Center. To order tickets, call 414-266-0100 (ext. 108).