They’ve secured the positions at the World Championships. Now all that’s left for the USA long-track speedskaters is to fill their names in the blanks.
The USA national championships coming to the Utah Olympic Oval this Friday through Sunday are about more than just winning national titles. Also on the line are berths to the World Single Distance Championships, the pinnacle of the sport in non-Olympic years, which will be held at the Oval on Feb. 13-16.
During the first four World Cups of the season, Team USA speedskaters’ results were used to determine how many athletes — up to three — can compete for their country in each discipline at the world championships.