Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1

The Olympic Oval invites you to the Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 at the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary.
October 14-15, 2023.

Competition Details

The Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit is a short track competition circuit focused on developing young speed skaters. It provides challenging opportunities for skaters to develop their tactical awareness and execution of learned skills. The circuit provides a fun racing atmosphere and is an introduction for most skaters to the high-performance competition stream. The Circuit typically consists of three competitions, two hosted at the Olympic Oval, and one hosted at another venue in Western Canada.

Schedule

Saturday October 14, 2023

*NO On Ice Warm Up
1500m(1) Final
1500m(2) Final
500m(1) Final
500m(2) Final
500m(3) Final

Sunday October 15, 2023

*NO On Ice Warm Up
1000m(1) Final
1000m(2) Final
1000m(3) Final
1000m(4) Final

**Subject to change based on the total number of participants.

Format
An all-finals ladder format will be used for the Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 and 2 competitions. This competition format is utilized to promote the best possible racing experience for all skaters. Each distance is seeded based on the athlete’s entry seed times. Athletes are placed in races with the first 5 skaters placed in Race A(7 in the 1500m), the next 5 in Race B, and so on. An all-finals format awards skaters points after each race based on the point system below. Athletes move up and down the ladder with the top 2 skaters from each race moving up one race, 3rd place staying in the same race, and the bottom 2 skaters moving down one race. The 1500m has 7 skaters on the line so, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th place skaters stay in the same race. This format allows the closest races based on ability from the first race of the weekend, as well as allowing skaters to move up without limitations of our traditional groups of 20 skaters.

1500m (Ex. 40 skaters)
6 races (7/7/7/7/7/5)
Top 2 move up
3rd 4th 5th stay
Bottom 2 move down
(Race A – top 5 skaters stay with no movement up available)
(Race F – bottom 4 skaters stay with no movement down available)

500m and 1000m (Ex. 29 skaters)
6 races (5/5/5/5/5/4)
Top 2 move up
3rd 4th 5th stay
Bottom 2 move down
(Race A – top 3 skaters stay with no movement up available)
(Race F – bottom 2 skaters stay with no movement down available)

Lane Positions
Lane position from inner to outer is based on the following priority:

  1. Time fastest to slowest from previous race
  2. Finish no time from previous race
  3. Penalties from previous race
  4. If there are more than 2 penalties, lane position is assigned based on fastest time skated in the competition in that distance.

Penalties
Skaters who earn a penalty finish at the bottom of their race, earn last place points in the race, and move down a race.

YC-2 / YC-B – earns no points in the race and moves down a race.

Advancements
This is an all-finals format. There are no advancements.

Scratches/Withdrawals
If there are any scratches or withdrawals for any reason, all ranking positions below the withdrawn skater move up one spot for the next race.

The Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 is open to skaters that are ISU category C2 and older — i.e. born before July 1, 2009.

The following minimum time standards* are in effect. This will help create quality racing opportunities for everyone.

  • WOMEN: 45.5 400m on the 100m track or 54.9 500m on the 111m track.
  • MEN: 43.0 400m on the 100m track or 51.9 500m on the 111m track.

*Submitted times must be from an official competition and have to be achieved between July 1, 2022 and registration close date. Times skated in practice will not be accepted.

General Regulations

The Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 event is sanctioned by the International Skating Union and Speed Skating Canada and all SSC rules will be followed.

The Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 will be held in accordance with the current Speed Skating Canada Regulations including updates and is open to all skaters who belong to an ISU member country.

The Track

The Olympic Oval North Rink is an International size rink measuring at 30m by 60m. The Centurion ST-2000 safety mat system surrounds the North rink to reduce the chance and severity of injury.

Citizenship/Residence requirements and Clearance Procedure

In accordance with Rule 109 of the ISU Regulations and ISU Communication No. 2526, all skaters who do not have the nationality of the Member by which they have been entered or who, although having such nationality, have in the past represented another Member, must produce an ISU Clearance Certificate.

Liability

In accordance with ISU Rule 119; the International Skating Union, Speed Skating Canada, Speed Skating Alberta, the Olympic Oval, and the University of Calgary assume no responsibility for, or liability with respect to bodily or personal injury or loss of property or damage incurred in connection with the 2023 Olympic Oval Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit Short Track Speed Skating Competition. Each Skater is solely responsible for providing insurance coverage thereto.

Transportation

Each skater is responsible for his/her own transportation.

Entries

Any bonafide member of the International Skating Union may compete in the Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1, provided that the member is properly registered with their Provincial Association or Member Country.

Skaters must be Junior C2 or older to compete — i.e. Born before July 1, 2009.

Entries for the Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1 must be submitted electronically through the Olympic Oval website.

The entry fee is $90.00 (CDN) (includes GST)
Late Fee: Double entry fee after the Entry Deadline
*Note: All entries will be confirmed by the Competitor Steward. An entry cannot be guaranteed if entered after the Deadline.

Entry Deadline
11:59 p.m., Thursday, September 28, 2023
Late Entry closes Monday, October 9, 2023

Olympic Oval Waiver Form
Skaters in their first competition of the season in the Olympic Oval must fill out the Waiver Form.

The Olympic Oval provides one training session free of charge the day prior to the event for those athletes competing in the Skate-Tec Western Elite Circuit 1. Please contact Dustin Miller at dustin.miller@ucalgary.ca to advise if you will be attending this session or if you have any questions.

Friday October 13, 2023

North Rink - 2:00-4:00pm

Streaming live on the Olympic Oval YouTube channel.

The Olympic Oval is partnered with three preferred hotels: Alt Hotel, Best Western Village Park Inn and Aloft at the University of Calgary. Select a hotel for your preferred OVAL rate.