Portland selected to host 2010 Skate America

U.S. Figure Skating announced today the selection of Portland as the host city for 2010 Skate America. The international event is one of six stops in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

The competition, presented by U.S. Figure Skating, the Oregon Sports Authority and the Rose Garden, with support from Travel Portland, will take place Nov. 11-14 at the Rose Garden Arena, which also served as the site of the 2005 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

“We are pleased to award this competition to Portland,” U.S. Figure Skating president Patricia St. Peter said. “The community showed its overwhelming support for the U.S. Championships in 2005, and we’re delighted that the athletes and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to experience all Portland has to offer.”

Skate America is an Olympic-style international figure skating event featuring three days of competition in ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing. The event annually attracts more than 60 world-class figure skaters. Past competitors include 2010 Olympic champion Evan Lysacek, five-time World and nine-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan, 2002 Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel, 2002 Olympic pairs champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada, 1992 Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi and 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton.

“We’re thrilled to bring 2010 Skate America to the city of Portland,” said Chris Oxley, general manager of the Rose Quarter, the district in which the Rose Garden is located. “Portland has shown that it is a very strong figure skating market, evidenced by the success of the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. With the Olympics being held in the Pacific Northwest last month, the region is ready and excited for another opportunity to host an event of this caliber.”

Other annual stops in the Grand Prix Series include Skate Canada, Cup of China, Trophée Eric Bompard (France), Rostelecom Cup (Russia) and NHK Trophy (Japan).

“We are thrilled to bring one of the world’s premier figure skating events to Portland,” said Oregon Sports Authority chief executive officer Drew Mahalic. “Skate America at the Rose Garden will offer people from throughout the Northwest the rare opportunity to witness the incredible grace, drama and athleticism exhibited by the world’s best figure skaters.”

Portland Ice Skating Club president Barbara Neidig and vice president Dody Teachman also expressed their enthusiasm for the event. “Portland Ice Skating Club members and the skating community are proud to join with the Oregon Sports Authority and the Rose Garden to bring Portland its first international skating competition,” Neidig said. “We welcome the skaters from all over the world to the Rose City.”

— March 18, 2010