Press Release
Skate Canada International returns to Aud next year
Waterloo Region Record
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Page: A1
Section: Front
Byline: Tom McMillan
Dateline: KITCHENER
Source: RECORD STAFF
One of the world's top figure skating competitions is coming to Kitchener.
Skate Canada chief executive William Thompson announced yesterday that the city has been selected to host the invitation-only HomeSense Skate Canada International at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium from Nov. 19 to 22, 2009.
"We're very excited to be back," said Thompson, a former Kitchener lawyer who now lives in Ottawa. "Skating has a long tradition of very strong support in this area."
The Skate Canada International is Canada's top figure skating contest, with about 60 skaters, including Canadian and world champions, competing in six singles and pairs categories.
Next year's event will also be the last of six competitions in the annual International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating series -- making Kitchener the last international stop before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
An exact list of competitors will not be finalized until June, but the world's top 10 men and women singles, as well as the top four dance and pair couples, will all be invited to compete.
Former Canadian and world champion Jeffrey Buttle said he expects most skaters will jump at the chance for a final pre-Olympic tune-up.
"This is one of the must-skate tournaments of the year," said Buttle, who won the 2008 International Skating Union World Championships.
"Next year, it'll be the athletes' last chance to get ready and feel what it's like to be out there before going to Vancouver."
Started in 1973, Skate Canada International is the country's most popular figure skating competition with 600,000 viewers watching the six to eight hours of CBC coverage in 2007.
Kitchener previously hosted the event in 1974, 1982 and 1996, when about 30,000 spectators watched Elvis Stojko land six triple jumps in his long program to win gold in the men's singles competition.
"One of the draws for us was that the fans here are so passionate and enthusiastic about skating," Thompson said, noting that Kitchener has the largest skating club in Canada.
Kitchener's strong fan base will be a draw for athletes, particularly Canadians, Buttle said, adding that the Aud is "an ideal location" because of the high-quality ice and indoor training facility.
"The athletes are pretty spoiled when they come into competition here," he said.
"Normally they might have to drive an hour away to train."
According to Skate Canada, an average of 17,000 fans have attended the organization's last five International competitions.
Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr estimated the 2009 event will have a $5 million economic impact as figure skating fans, athletes and others flock to the Waterloo Region.
"I've got a smile on my face because this is an absolute thrill," Zehr said.
"I think it will be one of the best Skate Canadas ever."
Skate Canada International returns to Aud next year
Waterloo Region Record
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Page: A1
Section: Front
Byline: Tom McMillan
Dateline: KITCHENER
Source: RECORD STAFF
One of the world's top figure skating competitions is coming to Kitchener.
Skate Canada chief executive William Thompson announced yesterday that the city has been selected to host the invitation-only HomeSense Skate Canada International at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium from Nov. 19 to 22, 2009.
"We're very excited to be back," said Thompson, a former Kitchener lawyer who now lives in Ottawa. "Skating has a long tradition of very strong support in this area."
The Skate Canada International is Canada's top figure skating contest, with about 60 skaters, including Canadian and world champions, competing in six singles and pairs categories.
Next year's event will also be the last of six competitions in the annual International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating series -- making Kitchener the last international stop before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
An exact list of competitors will not be finalized until June, but the world's top 10 men and women singles, as well as the top four dance and pair couples, will all be invited to compete.
Former Canadian and world champion Jeffrey Buttle said he expects most skaters will jump at the chance for a final pre-Olympic tune-up.
"This is one of the must-skate tournaments of the year," said Buttle, who won the 2008 International Skating Union World Championships.
"Next year, it'll be the athletes' last chance to get ready and feel what it's like to be out there before going to Vancouver."
Started in 1973, Skate Canada International is the country's most popular figure skating competition with 600,000 viewers watching the six to eight hours of CBC coverage in 2007.
Kitchener previously hosted the event in 1974, 1982 and 1996, when about 30,000 spectators watched Elvis Stojko land six triple jumps in his long program to win gold in the men's singles competition.
"One of the draws for us was that the fans here are so passionate and enthusiastic about skating," Thompson said, noting that Kitchener has the largest skating club in Canada.
Kitchener's strong fan base will be a draw for athletes, particularly Canadians, Buttle said, adding that the Aud is "an ideal location" because of the high-quality ice and indoor training facility.
"The athletes are pretty spoiled when they come into competition here," he said.
"Normally they might have to drive an hour away to train."
According to Skate Canada, an average of 17,000 fans have attended the organization's last five International competitions.
Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr estimated the 2009 event will have a $5 million economic impact as figure skating fans, athletes and others flock to the Waterloo Region.
"I've got a smile on my face because this is an absolute thrill," Zehr said.
"I think it will be one of the best Skate Canadas ever."