Kearns, UT (October 28, 2013) – The Utah Olympic Oval is hosting the first of many significant competitions during this winter season ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games  in Sochi, Russia. The Essent ISU World Cup Speed Skating event is scheduled from Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17 and will feature a field of 250 to 300 international long track speed skating athletes representing up to 25 countries.

 

The World Cup competition is an important milestone in a skater's journey toward securing a spot on their country's Olympic team. Top competitors will be racing and earning points based on their results. Typically, the top 12 skaters in each long track distance will earn a starting position on their country’s team based on total points. In addition, there are team spots determined by individual time rankings during the World Cup competition. Skaters with the fastest times can secure spots for their country during the Olympic Games.

 

The A Division races are scheduled in the afternoon each day, with races starting at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, and 1:30 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. Doors to the venue will open an hour prior to race starting times. The races include the following distances for men and ladies: 500 meter, 1000 meter, 1500 meter, 3000 meter and 5000 meter (men only).

 

General admission tickets are available online at UtahOlympicOvalEvents.com and at the Olympic Oval Guest Services Desk. Adult tickets are $5 per day or $10 for the three-day  event; youth (ages 4 to 12) and senior (ages 65 and older) tickets are $3 per day or $6 for the full event. Family tickets for two adults and up to three youth are also available for $10 per day or $20 for the full event. Youth ages 3 and under are free.

 

New this year, a limited number of VIP tickets will be made available to the public. VIP tickets provide guests access to special parking area and VIP viewing area with hospitality. VIP tickets can be purchased by day for $50 or for the weekend for $125.

 

The Kearns Community Council will be hosting a free ‘Western Corral’ event on Saturday, November 16 between 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. There will be a chili and hot chocolate bar, interactive sports funtivities, live music and western-themed entertainment by Utah’s very won ‘Hired Guns’. Lunch will be served on a first-come-first-serve basis. The community event will take place on entrance plaza of the Olympic Oval.

 

Home to the 'Fastest Ice on Earth’, the Olympic Oval has set over 75 world records since 2002. During the winter competition season, the Olympic Oval will also be hosting the U.S. Speed Skating Olympic Trials in short track and long track. The long track competitions will take place from December 27, 2013 through January 1, 2014. Short track competitions will be held January 2 through 5. Placement on Team USA will be announced based on athlete results during the Olympic Trials. The trials will be televised on NBC and NBC Sports Network.

During the short track trials, the official United States Olympic Committee’s ‘Road to Sochi’ interactive fan zone will make a tour stop at the Olympic Oval. The festivities will feature booths for the pubic with winter sport themed activities. The ‘Road to Sochi’ fan zone is free to the public.

 

For more information on this event, race schedules, and to purchase tickets, please visit UtahOlympicOvalEvents.com.

 

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Built in 2001 just in time for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Utah Olympic Oval is located in the community of Kearns, just 16 miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah. The venue houses a 400-meter speed skating oval and two international size ice sheets as well as a four-lane 442-meter state of the art running track and eight 110-meter sprint lane. During the 2002 Games, the five-acre facility - roughly the size of four football fields – hosted all speed skating events. With 10 Olympic records and eight world records, the venue stands uncontested as the Fastest Ice on Earth following the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Today, the Utah Olympic Oval is headquarters for US Speed Skating, ensuring a legacy of continued growth and international success for the sport. For more information about the venue, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.com or call 801-968-6825.

 

Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is a Utah non-profit 501(c)(3) organization responsible for managing and maintaining world-class Olympic legacy facilities and providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate, educate, and excel in winter sports. Inspired by the success and momentum of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games, the Foundation has turned its focus toward embracing, engaging and involving Utah’s youth in winter sport. From community-based recreational camps, progression-oriented development programs to its official designation as an official U.S. Olympic Training Site, the Foundation – including both Utah Olympic Park and Oval facilities – represents the future of winter sports in North America. For more information, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.com or call 435-658-4200.