Flags went up at the city of Kent sign on West Meeker Street to promote the 2012 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series coming Oct. 19-21 to the ShoWare Center.
The 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America will feature an international field of athletes. All four reigning U.S. champions will compete, including 2011
World ice dancing champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Alena Leonova, of Russia, the 2012 World silver medalist, also will compete.
A current listing of all athletes is available at www.2012skateamerica.com.
“I am honored that 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America has chosen Kent to be the host city for its international skating event,” said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke. “Not only will it be thrilling to see international skating champions at ShoWare Center, I’m delighted that the athletes and visitors will have the opportunity to experience all Kent has to offer. The arena and our community are ready.”
Cooke has declared October as Skate America Month in Kent.
The state of Washington will host Skate America for a third time. The 2008 event in Everett set an attendance record, welcoming nearly 30,000 fans, while 2002 Skate America in Spokane had the second-highest attendance at nearly 29,000 spectators.
The annual event is expected to draw hundreds of athletes, coaches, officials, domestic and international media and figure skating fans to the Kent area. Recent events have been held in Ontario, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Lake Placid, N.Y.
NBC will broadcast live coverage of Skate America from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21.
The Grand Prix Series, entering its 18th season, incorporates six international figure skating competitions as a unified point-scoring series that awards prize money to eligible skaters. At the conclusion of the series, athletes’ points are totaled, and the top six ladies, men, pairs and ice dancing teams are invited to compete at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The Grand Prix Final is scheduled for Dec. 5-9 in Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
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