MILWAUKEE, WI (December 12, 2011) - The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Site, will play host to the U.S. Speedskating Championships, December 13-18, 2011.

The top speedskaters in the United States will be on display on the Pettit Center’s Olympic Oval for four days of racing action in the country’s most important domestic competition. Once the dust has settled U.S. Speedskating will crown Sprint Champions, Allround Champions and overall National Champions for both men and women, as well as naming the 2011-12 Winter World Cup team.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than U.S Championships if you are an elite level skater,” said Olympic medalist Kip Carpenter, U.S. Speedskating and SWIFT speedskating team coach. Carpenter continued, “All of the training, hours of hard work, sweat and sacrifice crescendos over the next five days right here in Milwaukee. It will be a sight to see our country’s best and most intense athletes.”

Below is the schedule of events and start times for the upcoming Championships: 

Day 1: Tues, Dec 13, 4:30pm start time              Ladies 3000m, Men's 5000m

Day 2: Weds, Dec 14, 4:30pm start time         Ladies and Men's    500m x 2                

Day 3: Thurs, Dec 15, 3pm start time             Ladies & Men's 1000m                    

Day 4: Fri, Dec 16                                           Rest Day

Day 5: Sat, Dec 17, 9:30am start time             Ladies & Men's 1500m                   

Day 6: Sun, Dec 18, 9:30am start time               Ladies 5000m, Men's 10,000m