United States’ speed skaters 2026 Milano Cortina journey will run through Wisconsin.
The 2026 U.S. Olympic Team long track speed skating trials will be held at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee this weekend.
As per a report in wpr.org, around 80 of the country’s finest speed skaters will compete in the trials from Friday to Monday.
The Pettit National Ice Center is no stranger to hosting trials as they will be hosting it for the third time.
“Over the last two Olympic Trials, we had a sold-out venue, incredible enthusiasm from the local community, and exciting racing from the skaters,” Ted Morris, executive director of U.S. Speedskating, wrote in a statement about the event.
The speed skaters will compete in 14 races during the four-day event.
The trials will be the final chance for the American speed skaters to make a cut to the 2026 Milano Cortina, which takes place in Italy in February.
“I’d say the crowds are unmatched,” Matt Kooreman, long track program director for U.S. Speedskating, said about the Pettit Center. “It’s really rare in the U.S. to get a speed skating audience like they have here.”
Eric Ribecky, president of the Wisconsin Speed Skating Club, said, “Make no doubt, they are going really fast, and there are no brakes on those skates either,” Ribecky said.
A spokesperson for the Pettit National Ice Center said around 1,700 spectators will be in attendance every day.
“When it (Pettit) gets full and there’s tons of people, and everyone’s cheering and all the energy … it’s really exciting,” Ribecky said.
Tickets for the trials from Friday to Sunday are sold-out but those who want to witness the action on Monday, still have a chance.