June 2008

We invite you to join Twin Cities community organizations and businesses that support local and national-level athletics by sponsoring the 2008 American Cup I Short Track Speed Skating Championship.

Plymouth Wayzata Speed Skating (PWSS) is proud to announce that it has been chosen by U. S. Speedskating (USS) to host the prestigious American Cup I Short Track Speed Skating Championship on September 27-28, 2008 at the Plymouth Ice Center.

The top six men and top six women finishers at the event will each earn a spot on the U. S. World Cup Short Track Team which will compete at World Cup events in Canada, China, Japan, and the Netherlands.

The nation's top skaters are expected to compete.  This includes the 2008 World Champion, who also happens to be two-time Olympic gold medalist and Dancing with the Stars winner, Apolo Anton Ohno.  Members of the 2008 World Champion Speed Skating Team - Ohno along with Olympian JP Kepka, Olympian Charles Ryan Leveille, Jeff Simon, and Jordan Malone - are also hopeful attendees.

Other anticipated skaters include Olympian Shani Davis and U.S. teammates:  Ryan Bedford, Allison Baver, Kimberly Derrick, Alyson Dudek, Lana Gehring, Mary Grace, Alex Izykowski, Travis Jayner, Hyo-Jung Kim, Tina Keonig, Anthony Lobello, Sophia Milan, Katherine Reutter, Cherise Wilkins, and Carly Wilson.

In conjunction with the American Cup I Championship, PWSS will also host the 3rd annual Gopher Open youth ability meet.  In 2006 and 2007, this meet attracted skaters from around the Midwest.  Gopher Open skaters will skate in the morning session, and the American Cup I races will follow.

Plymouth Wayzata Speed Skating coach and meet director Greg Oly remarked, "This is an excellent opportunity for younger skaters to be up close and personal to Olympic-caliber skaters.  It is a great opportunity for our club to host this meet and for the city of Plymouth to showcase our wonderful hospitality and all that our area has to offer."

The event will draw spectators and competitors from around the nation.  PWSS would like to share the opportunity for local businesses to show their support for potential Olympic athletes and also for the younger skaters, our future Olympians.

The two-page PDF file below provides information regarding available sponsorship levels.  We encourage you and/or your business or organization to consider a sponsorship level to assist in making the 2008 American Cup I Championship a successful event and show of local support.

Please note that PWSS is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donation is tax-deductible.  Also there are no administrative fees and your donation will go directly to the 2008 American Cup I Short Track Speed Skating Championship and Plymouth Wayzata Speed Skating.

Thank you for your consideration, and we'll see you September 27-28!
Your support of the Plymouth Wayzata Speedskating Club supports our community!  PWSC is a non-profit organization which promotes confidence, physical fitness, good sportsmanship, and discipline in our youth and adults.  We rely on volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors for our success.
Thank you!