SASKATOON, SK - January 14, 2014 - Saskatoon Sports Tourism and the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club are delighted to announce the return of the Canada Cup III & Canadian Junior Long Track Speed Skating Championship from January 24 - 26, 2014.

The Canada Cup III & Canadian Junior Championships are National Long Track competitions. The Canada Cup III is used to rank skaters for the national team and the Canadian Junior Championship results select the Junior World Championship Team which will compete in Norway in March at the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championship.

The events will take place at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Located in the Gordon Howe Recreation Complex (11th Street and Avenue R) and named after the first coach of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club, the 400-metre Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval offers an exciting change of pace for skating enthusiasts. Recreational and competitive skaters alike enjoy the atmosphere of one of the best natural ice surfaces in Western Canada.

Competing at Canada Cup III will be some of country's best speed skaters, including:
• Justin Warsylewicz (Regina) - Olympic Silver Medalist (2006 Team Pursuit)
• Juliette Wheler (Saskatoon) - ranked third in Canada (Juniors)
• Lucas Morin (Saskatoon) - ranked fifth in Canada in the 5,000 m (Juniors)
• Graeme Fish (Moose Jaw) - ranked eighth in Canada in the 5,000 m (Juniors)
• Elliott Nelson (Prince Albert) - ranked ninth in Canada in the 5,000 m

"Canada Cup events are the premier speed skating events in Canada," said Neal Zaluski, Head Coach of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club. "World class athletes and former Olympians compete in these events which are important for national rankings and help determine the national speed skating team. Additionally, Canada Cup III has been identified as the competition which will determine the Junior National team for 2014. Hosting these events in Saskatoon is important for the development of the sport in our community."

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For more information, contact:
Fritz Schumann
Meet Coordinator and Membership Development
Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club
Direct: (306) 664-6832
fritz.schumann@sasktel.net

About Saskatoon Sports Tourism
Saskatoon Sports Tourism was created to guide the attraction, retention and creation of sports tourism activities in Saskatoon. Saskatoon Sports Tourism assists event organizers to locate local suppliers, sports venues, and hotel accommodations and helps increase local awareness and attendance at events. For more information, visit www.saskatoonsportstourism.com.

About Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club
Established in 1942, the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club is the longest running club in Canada. Over the past 69 years, the club has produced over 40 National Champions, with 12 of those individuals advancing to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics. Club members have been a part of Canadian Olympic Teams since 1948 with Craig McKay and multiple Olympic Champion Catriona Le May Doan, the fastest woman in the world in the 500-metre race. The Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club has over 200 members in Saskatoon and a fast growing fan base. For more information, visit www.slspeedskating.com.