MIDLAND, MI (9/20/07): National team member and local favorite Ryan Bedford will demonstrate to a home-town crowd why he’s among the best skaters in the world at the 2007 Dow American Cup I Short Track Speedskating Championships, September 29th & 30th, 2007 at the Midland Civic Arena. Bedford, who won an individual bronze medal in February at World Cup competition in the Netherlands, faces world-class challengers in Midland as he battles the nation’s top skaters for a chance to represent the U.S. this fall in international competition. With spots for only six men and six women on the U.S. World Cup Short Track team, expect high speeds and impossible passes as contenders struggle to earn their way to skate with the best in the world in China, Japan, the Netherlands, and Italy. Further, skaters finishing in positions 7-12 will be named to the U.S. team traveling to the Conematic International Short Track Challenge in Calgary, Alberta October 4th-15th. Top Michigan contenders will include Olympian Kimberly Derrick (Caledonia), and Midland-native Barry Winslow, who currently trains in Marquette at the U.S. Olympic Education Center. Due to an injury, Bay City’s Olympic bronze-medalist Alex Izykowski will attend the event, but will not make the decision to race until closer to the competition.

A thrilling spectator sport, short track speedskating offers fans a chance to experience the exhilaration of racing without touching the ice. With the glass surrounding the ice surface removed at the nearly-new Midland Civic Arena, spectators are amazingly close to the action and will literally feel the breeze at rink-side as skaters approach speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour. Co-Meet Director Beth Bedford explains, “With the Olympic trials two years away, the American Cup skaters are starting their drive to make the Olympic team that will go to Vancouver. Short track is an unbelievably exciting sport to watch and participate in. Once you see short track live, you'll be hooked for life, and speedskating is a life-time sport.”

As one of the largest speedskating clubs in the country - and as Michigan’s largest speedskating club - the Midland Speed Skating Club, (MSSC), is proud to have been chosen by US Speedskating to host this premier event. In conjunction with the 2007 Dow American Cup I, MSSC is also excited to host the Midwest Mini Cup, a youth short track ability meet. Mini Cup races take place in the morning both Saturday and Sunday, with the 2007 Dow American Cup I events immediately following. Admission for both events is $10/day for those 13 years of age and up, and $5/day for those 12 and under. A Family 4-Pack is also available for $25/day, and includes tickets for 2 adults and 2 children. Please visit the official event website, www.MSSCevents.com for the latest information, as well as updated race results.

© S.DYKE & BDMC MSSCSITE 9.2007 All rights reserved.