Release courtesy of U.S. Figure Skating
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., and SAN JOSE, Calif. – U.S. Figure Skating announced today the selection of San Jose, Calif., as the host city for the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Jan. 22-29, 2012.
The event, held annually since 1914, is the nation’s most prestigious figure skating event, with past winners including such skating luminaries as Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton. National champions will be crowned in 12 events: ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing at the senior, junior and novice levels.
“We’re thrilled to bring the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships to San Jose,” U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter said. “With the support of the figure skating fans and the community of San Jose, we are assured a successful event.”
This marks the 11th time the state of California has hosted the event, and the second time the city of San Jose has played host. The first time was in 1996, when hometown hero Rudy Galindo thrilled those in attendance with a performance still regarded as one of the greatest and most memorable in the history of the championships.
The U.S. Championships annually attract more than 1,500 figure skating athletes, coaches and officials to the host city. The event has generated $20-25 million in economic impact for recent host cities.
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed welcomed the selection.
“I am delighted that the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are coming back to San Jose,” Reed said. “Our region has a strong history of producing some of America’s top skaters and a legacy of competitive excellence. With hospitality, culture and an abundance of sports enthusiasts, San Jose has proven itself as a premiere destination for successful, world-class sporting events.”
Peggy Fleming, five-time U.S. champion, three-time World champion and 1968 Olympic champion, served as honorary chair of the San Jose bid and will continue in that role with the city’s local organizing committee.
“This is a wonderful day for the city of San Jose and for the entire Bay Area figure skating community,” Fleming said. “The U.S. Championships are the annual highlight for U.S. competitive skaters, featuring the best and brightest stars in the sport. I am personally honored — and excited — to share San Jose with the nation in hosting this prestigious event.”
The bid, headed by the San Jose Sports Authority, HP Pavilion at San Jose and Sharks Ice San Jose, included commitments from the City of San Jose’s Office of Economic Development, San Jose Hotels, Inc., and the San Jose Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Bay Area figure skating clubs actively supported the bid as did a long list of legendary skaters with San Jose ties, including Fleming, Boitano, Yamaguchi, Galindo, Debi Thomas and Charles Tickner.
“We are very pleased to be hosting the U. S. Figure Skating Championships, one of the country’s most high-profile sporting events, here at HP Pavilion at San Jose,” said Greg Jamison, president and CEO of HP Pavilion and chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority. “With leadership from the Sports Authority and the continued support of our key community partners, including the city and its Office of Economic Development, San Jose Hotels Inc., and the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, we are eager to showcase our world-class city and our world-class venues, and to host one of the best U.S. Championships in recent memory.”
Deposits are now being taken for All-Session Ticket Packages. With an All-Session Ticket, you get the best seats to every session plus other special perks. To receive priority seating, please visit www.skatesanjose2012.com or call 408.977.4723 to place a $50 deposit per seat. All-Session Ticket Packages begin at $225.
Recent U.S. Championships have been held in Saint Paul, Minn. (2008), and Cleveland, Ohio (2009). This year’s event will be held in Spokane, Wash., with the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships set for Greensboro, N.C.
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U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 763 member clubs and Basic Skills Programs representing approximately 179,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.
