Canada names speed skating roster By QMI Agency

Sarah Gregg competes during the Canada Cup Long track speed skating event held at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alta Jan 6, 2012. (Jim Wells/QMI Agency)

Speed Skating Canada on Tuesday released its 12-person roster ahead of this weekend’s regional qualifying competition in Salt Lake City.

Canada’s six-man and six-woman teams will skate against hopefuls from across North America and Oceania in an effort to qualify for next month’s world championships in Hamar, Norway.

Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa, Kali Christ of Regina, Sarah Gregg of Edmonton, Lauren McGuire of Ottawa, Brittany Schussler of Winnipeg, and Tori Spence of Kamloops, will represent the women.

The men’s team will feature Jordan Belchos of Toronto, Nick Goplen of Calgary, Alec Janssens of Chilliwack, Lucas Makowsky of Regina, and Winnipeg’s Justin Warsylewicz and Stefan Waples.

Each qualifier competed at the Canadian trials last week in Calgary, from which Canada’s roster was selected.

The world championships are spread over two days beginning Feb. 15.