Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau: Short Track Age Class Nationals and American Cup Final coming to Madison

Short Track Age Class Nationals and American Cup Final Coming to Madison, WI

Salt Lake City, UT— January 29, 2015— The Verona Ice Arena in Verona, Wisconsin will host this year’s Short Track Age Class Nationals March 13-15, 2015.

Age Class Nationals is the grassroots National Championship for skaters ages 7-70+. Athletes will compete for the title of National Age Class Champion in their respective divisions.

“The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) is pleased to be bringing the thrilling sport of speed skating back to the Madison area given our historic connection to the sport. Madison is well known for its connection to the sport with legendary accomplishments of athletes such as Casey Fitz Randolph and Eric Heiden,” said Jamie Patrick, Vice President of MASC.

The AmCup Final is for the top Ladies & Men in a race series, which includes three competitions. Those athletes compete in the high performance category, a separate division of competition within the Age Class Nationals.

“Timing is everything,” said Short Track Manager and Assistant Head Coach, Alex Izykowski. “The Age Class Nationals plays an important role for our developing skaters in preparing and peaking for a specific event each year. It’s the one competition each season that our skaters focus on and prepare for, to be the best they can be for that one weekend.”

“Developing that ability to be your best at a specific competition,” he added, “is what has earned US Speedskating so many Olympic medals over the history of the sport.”

Schedule of events:

A practice skate and coach/officials meeting will take place on Thursday, March 12, time and location to be determined.

Competition is expected to be held at the Verona Ice Arena from 8:00am to 8:pm on Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday, and 8:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday.

An alumni reunion will take place Saturday night around 7:30pm Special guests will include 1994 Olympic Medalist, John Coyle, who has delivered keynote speeches at TEDx events and commentates every four years for NBC Olympics.

This is the first of what we hope will become an annual event.
There is no cost to attend the reunion. RSVP’s in advance are much appreciated, however not necessary to attend. Complimentary drinks and appetizers will be served.

For more information, check out the US ST Age Class National Championships on the USS website (under “Events”).

Location of Events:

Competition Venue: Verona Ice Arena (451 E Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)

Lodging: Holiday Inn & Express Madison-Verona 515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)

About Madison Area Sports Commission

The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) is the greater Madison area’s official sports marketing organization. Launched by the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2010, MASC is charged with elevating the recognition and awareness of the impact of sports tourism on the regional economy while serving the unique needs of the sports tourism business.

About US Speedskating

From Pond to Podium, we are US Speedskating. We grow and nurture a sport where all ages can experience the thrill of speed and the camaraderie of the skating community. US Speedskating is responsible for the development of speedskating from grassroots to the highest elite racing programs. US Speedskating is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speedskating in the United States. The Organization has won 86 Olympic medals to-date, making it one of the most successful sports in U.S. Olympic history. US Speedskating is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Follow us on Twitter @USSpeedskating, Instagram @USSpeedskating, on Facebook Facebook.com/USSpeedskating and at http://usspeedskating.org