2008 News and Information
See the World’s Best at Richmond Olympic Oval
10 December 2008The best speed skaters in the world are coming to Richmond in March for the 2009 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships, the premier event on the speed skating circuit leading to the 2010 Winter Games.
Four-day packages are now on sale for the world championships, which take place March 12 to 15, 2009 at the Richmond Olympic Oval, located at 6111 River Road, while single tickets go on sale starting Monday (December 15, 2008). Tickets can be purchased online at www.tickets.com
The championships feature men’s and ladies’ 500m, 1000m, 1,500m 5,000m and Team Pursuit, plus men’s 10,000m events. See below for full schedule.
Canada took home nine medals in the 2008 World Single Distance Championships held in Nagano, Japan in March, four of them gold, placing the home team second in the world only to Holland. For more information on the 2008 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships, check www.speedskatingrichmond2009.com.
About the Richmond Olympic Oval
Officially opening December 12, 2008, the spectacular Richmond Olympic Oval is the landmark venue of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and British Columbia’s newest icon. From the sweeping six-acre roof incorporating pine-beetle kill wood to the recycled waste heat from the ice plant, the facility is also one of the most sustainable of its kind in the world. Post-Games, the Oval becomes the City of Richmond’s newest multi-use facility that will serve both community sport and wellness and national training needs. Opening memberships are now available. Check www.richmondoval.com for details.
About Speed Skating
Speed skating is the fastest human-powered, non-mechanically aided sport in the world; skaters can reach speeds in excess of 60 kilometres per hour. Competitive racing is believed to have begun in Holland as early as 1676. The first official World Championship was held in 1893 and the sport was included in the first ever Winter Olympic Games held in 1924 at Chamonix, France. Canadian Denny Morrison is the 2008 men’s 1,500 champion and world record holder.
2009 World Single Distance Championships Schedule of Events
Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 12:30 p.m.
Men’s 1,500m
Ladies’ 3,000m
Friday, March 13, 2009 - 12:30 p.m.
Men’s 1,000m
Ladies’ 1,500m
Men’s 5,000m
Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 12:30 p.m.
Ladies’ 1,000m
Men’s 10,000m
Ladies’ 5,000m
Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 12:30 p.m.
Ladies’ 500m (Race 1)
Men’s 500m (Race 1)
Ladies’ 500m (Race 2)
Men’s 500m (Race 2)
Ladies’ Team Pursuit
Men’s Team Pursuit
