November 5, 2015, Charlottetown – Atlantic Canada’s competitive speed skating season launches in Charlottetown this weekend as Speed Skate PEI plays host to the Atlantic Cup Speed Skating Championships. The two-day event, being held at the Eastlink Centre, will see short track skaters from five provinces as well as a contingent from Nunavut take to the ice starting Saturday.
Andrew McQuaid of Charlottetown will be one of 35 Island skaters competing at the Atlantic Cup Speed Skating Championships at Charlottetown’s Eastlink Centre this weekend. Photo courtesy of Kevin Scott.
Speed Skate PEI says there will be strong representation from all four Atlantic Provinces, with a total of 13 clubs sending skaters to Charlottetown. Team Nunavut will have eight skaters in the competitive field.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Atlantic Cup this year and especially pleased that the Nunavut team chose to make the long trip to be here,” said Speed Skate PEI President Rob Binns. “Opening the new season on home ice with the Atlantic Cup always gives P.E.I. skaters a boost and it’s also a great chance for Islanders to see short-track racing up close.”
Speed skating is continuing to grow across the country and on P.E.I., according to the provincial body. “We’re at record numbers already this year, and new skaters are continuing to join every week” said Binns.
P.E.I. will be well represented at the weekend competition, with 35 Islanders from clubs in Charlottetown and Eastern Kings among the 119 competitive skaters. Another 30 new P.E.I. skaters will also participate in exhibition races during the weekend.
Atlantic Cup racing gets underway at 8:40 on both Saturday and Sunday mornings and continues all day. The public is welcome to attend and the event is free of charge. A live webcast will also be available from BellAliant TV1.
For more information about the event and Speed Skating programs on P.E.I., visit www.speedskatepei.com
