Speed Skating Canada partners with Rudy Project to outfit national teams with state-of-the-art helmets and eyewear

February 26, 2025

Exclusive product discount available to Speed Skating Canada’s national membership

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (February 26, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – A newly announced partnership between Speed Skating Canada and Rudy Project will see the Italian manufacturer outfit athletes from Canada’s most successful Olympic sport with state-of-the-art helmets and eyewear for the remainder of the 2026 Olympic quadrennial.

Rudy Project is a recognized leader in the sports optics and helmet sector, specializing in the creation of models tailored to the needs of athletes across various sports disciplines. Founded in 1985 with the aim of combining technological innovation and ergonomic design, the company is dedicated to developing products that optimize athletic performance.

In addition to Speed Skating Canada, Rudy Project outfits the national speed skating programs of China, Switzerland and the United States, and has a longstanding partnership with the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG) that started prior to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin. The company also provides helmets and eyewear to athletes and teams across a variety of summer and winter sports, including cycling, kayaking, beach volleyball and cross-country skiing.

“We are proud to support the Canadian National Skating Team on their journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. This collaboration is a great source of satisfaction for us, as we share fundamental values with these athletes — innovation, determination, and the pursuit of peak performance. With our expertise and cutting-edge technologies, we aim to stand by their side, helping them achieve ever more ambitious goals.”

— Simone Barbazza, Marketing Director and Co-Owner, Rudy Project

As part of this new partnership, Rudy Project will supply Speed Skating Canada’s national program athletes in Montreal, Quebec City and Calgary with The Wing and Nytron Pro helmets, as well as a collection of performance eyewear for competition. Many Canadian skaters – including our long track Team Pursuit and Team Sprint squads – began wearing their new Rudy Project equipment earlier this winter on the World Cup circuit.

The partnership benefits also extend down to Speed Skating Canada’s membership base, providing skaters at all levels of the sport with an exclusive 35% discount off select helmet and eyewear purchases from the Rudy Project website. Details on how to take advantage of this promotion will be share directly with members in the coming weeks.

“Speed Skating Canada is proud to partner with an innovative company like Rudy Project in the lead up to Milano Cortina 2026. Our shared commitment to excellence will ensure that Canada’s top skaters are competing with the most advanced helmets and eyewear, so they can best showcase their talents and accomplish their goals on the world stage. We’re also excited that speed skaters at all levels of the sport will be able to access these state-of-the-art products at a discounted rate thanks to this new partnership.” – Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada

The partnership with Rudy Project will provide Canadian athletes with a fresh new look on both national and international stages, including at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina and the three International Skating Union events set to take place in Canadian rinks next season.

Speed Skating Canada’s partners provide essential support to the nationwide development of the sport, from grassroots to high performance. To learn more about our sponsors, suppliers and opportunities for collaboration, visit www.speedskating.ca/partners.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada is the national governing body responsible for the organization, coordination and administration of both short track and long track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, we proudly represent over 15,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers from coast to coast. Our non-profit organization is accountable to our 13 provincial and territorial speed skating organizations (PTSOs) and our national team program. We’re here to rally, inspire and lead the charge for our country’s most successful Olympic sport.

About Rudy Project

The Rudy Project collection, the result of 40 years of experience and continuous pursuit of excellence, aims to enhance athletes’ performance at every level. Since 1985, Rudy Project has been merging cutting-edge technology and innovative design with Italian style, craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail in its sunglasses, helmets, and sport-vision solutions. Champions in cycling, triathlon, cross-country skiing, and many other sports wear Rudy Project helmets and eyewear in training and in the most important competitions worldwide. Thanks to athlete feedback, Rudy Project creates products that elevate safety, comfort, and performance for all sports enthusiasts. Founded in Treviso, Rudy Project has been a benchmark in the sports eyewear industry for 40 years and is a leading brand of Made in Italy excellence. The company produces 100% of its eyewear in Veneto, and its helmets are also designed in Italy. Present in over 60 countries worldwide, Rudy Project confirms its international vocation through the second generation of entrepreneurs: Cristiano and Simone Barbazza.

Media Contact

Alain Brouillette
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Speed Skating Canada
E abrouillette@speedskating.ca

Jim Rutberg
Media Relations
Rudy Project
E jim@thebrandleader.com