This weekend at the Richmond Olympic Oval, fans will have the unique opportunity to watch world class athletes from three different sports without having to leave the venue. It's a bonus for the athletes, organizers and Mother Nature too.
The Battle and Blades Super Weekend began Thursday with the Intact Insurance Speed Skating qualifier which will set-up races over the next three days.
This competition will be used to rank the 24 men and women for the 2014-15 national and development teams. Tickets are available at the door.
"Sochi may just have finished, but the hard work continues at the Intact Insurance Short Track Speed Skating Qualifier where fans can see the next generation of Olympians and cheer them on. Some of these athletes are beginning their quest to join veterans at the next Olympic Games in 2018," said Ted Houghton, Executive Director of the BC Speed Skating Association. Exciting talents continue their journey to the top."
Next up is the 2014 Victor Gantsevich Fencing Grand Prix.
One of only three Men's Épée
Grand Prix competitions to be held in the 2013/14 fencing season, and the only one in North America. It is worth twice the points of a non-Grand Prix World Cup, which means that many of the best fencers in the world, the athletes attempting to win the coveted title of overall world cup points leader, will be in attendance. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday. For more information or tickets, visit www.vancouvergp.com.
"This is a great opportunity to promote the sport of Fencing in B.C., and to also promote Richmond as a sport destination city" says John French, President of the B.C. Fencing Association. "This will be the highest level fencing competition held in the whole of North America this year."
The only single day event of the weekend is the 2014 North American Karate Cup on Saturday.
Karate Canada's national team athletes will take on teams from the USA and Mexico. It is a rare opportunity to watch Canadian athletes face some of the continent's best opponents on home soil. This event is a Regional Qualifier for the Pan Am Games in 2015. Tickets are $15 and available at the door.
