OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Starting this season, Japanese-based manufacturer Descente Ltd. will become the Official Supplier of High Performance Apparel for Canada’s National Speed Skating Teams. From competition skinsuits, to podium wear and off-ice apparel, the new partnership provides Canadian athletes with a new look throughout a four-year agreement which includes the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
 
“Descente is very proud to be associated with the Canadian Speed Skating Team once again,” said Shuichi Koseki, President and CEO of Descente Ltd. “Our Research & Development team will work with Speed Skating Canada and will be focusing on utilizing the latest fabric and engineering technology to ensure the athletes have the fastest suits available for their races. We look forward to this collaboration and to seeing many upcoming podium appearances.”
 
Speed Skating Canada and Descente have a long history, with the global company having manufactured the skinsuits that propelled such athletes as Marc Gagnon, Catriona Le May Doan and Cindy Klassen to international success. Between 1998 and 2010, Canadian athletes captured 21 long track and 19 short track medals wearing Descente suits at the Olympic Games.
 
“When I won my silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, I was wearing a Descente skinsuit,” said Susan Auch, two-time Olympic medalist and CEO of Speed Skating Canada. “We are proud to reignite a partnership with such a great tradition of success as we look ahead to Beijing 2022 and beyond.”