2017 World Cup of Indoor Speed Skating in Orlando, Florida, USA

The FIRS (International Federation of Roller Sports) has announced online that a world cup of indoor speed skating will be held from March 15th to 19th, 2017, at the Astro Skate Center of Orlando, Florida, USA. The event is open to all the clubs the federations of which are members of the FIRS. Today, 14 countries would be yet organizing their national championships of indoor speed skating.

Outdoor races are also scheduled on Sunday, March 19th, 2017.

The Choice of Orlando

Indoor speed skating races are part the USA's culture, as shown with the NSC Circuit. Orlando was also chosen in terms of tourism appeal: the city hosts Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and many other amusement parks.

About the Astro Skate Center

This freshly renovated facility of about 2800 m² has a 1672 m² hall with a Roll-On surface, the type of floor used in the USA for indoor races, with great grip and rolling. A budget of $750.000 was invested into the renovation.

The building also allows ideal sound and light set-ups for the media coverage of the event.

Towards an Official World Championship in 2018?

If the event is successful, the FIRS considers to create a world championship of indoor speed skating in 2018.

Categories

The races are open to all ages with 3 levels of skating:

• World Class and Junior World Class, for the best skaters all skaters having made a national team,
• Elite Division, for experimented skaters,
• Novice Division for less experimented skaters.

The Junior World Class and Senior World Class skaters will race for the World Cup, while the Elites and Novices will be rewarded with medals.
Relay races are scheduled for all divisions (3 skaters for the Junior and Senior World Class divisions, 2 skaters for the Elite and Novice divisions).

Further Information on the TeamUSA Website