Orcon to Sponsor NZ Olympic Speed-Skater
New Zealand short-track speed skater Blake Skjellerup has this month secured local internet company Orcon as a corporate sponsor of his campaign to compete at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in 2014.
The Christchurch-born Olympian competed for New Zealand in the 2010 winter games in Vancouver, and has been seeking financial sponsorship from corporate backers and individuals since then as he trains and competes in the annual speed skating world cup competition circuit.
“Speed skating is one of the most popular of the winter Olympic sports,” explains Skjellerup “but in terms of mainstream acknowledgment it remains relatively unknown. I’m very grateful for this new partnership with Orcon which will enable me to spend more time focusing on my performance and training, and less time worrying about how to find the money I need to make it to the next Olympics.”
Orcon Chief Executive Scott Bartlett agreed, “We see a huge amount of potential in Blake to compete at the highest level and are thrilled to be a part of his campaign. Blake may not be a household name yet, but we’re confident that given the support he needs, he soon will be.”
“Our goal at Orcon is to be the best in terms of speed, precision and reliability, and Blake embodies all of those qualities. He has the spirit of a true kiwi battler taking on the world.”
This year has been a landmark one for 26-year-old Skjellerup who spent his off-season engaged in a nation-wide speaking tour of secondary schools. He was also the face of the Pink Shirt Day anti-bullying campaign, after which he was invited to meet with Prime Minister John Key to discuss bullying in New Zealand schools.
In June the Gay Auckland Business Association announced the establishment of a bank account enabling individuals to donate to Skjellerup’s Olympic campaign through his website (www.blakeskjellerup.com).
“This Orcon sponsorship means a great deal to my career as an athlete. These funds, along with those contributed through the GABA account, are a huge help. In order to make it to Sochi I will still need to raise more funds, but this is certainly a great start.”
Skjellerup’s 2011-12 season started strongly winning all three distances to take out the national title at the New Zealand Speed-Skating Championships held in Dunedin in August. He will next compete in the Skating Union World Cup held in Nagoya, Japan on December 2-4.
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