Charlottetown, P.E.I., to host 2012 Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada announced today that Charlottetown, P.E.I., will host the 2012 Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships. The event will take place from April 6-8, 2012, at the CARI Complex—MacLauchlan Arenas.

The announcement comes as Canadian skating delegates prepare to arrive in Charlottetown next week for the Skate Canada 2011 Annual Convention and General Meeting (ACGM) and 2011 National Coaches' Conference (NCC) taking place from May 24-29, 2011.

"Once again, we are thrilled to be returning to Charlottetown for another skating event. This one is unique from our other national events, as it brings everyone from adult skaters to singles skaters to synchronized skaters all into a competitive atmosphere where national titles are on the line," said William Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. "It also enhances one of our keys messages: that skating is for life. We take pride in the large number of adults who participate in our programs and encourage this active lifestyle for all Canadians."

"We look forward to hosting Skate Canada's Annual Convention and General Meeting and National Coaches' Conference in 2011 and are thrilled to have been awarded the hosting-rights to their 2012 Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships," said Mayor Clifford Lee. "The City of Charlottetown truly values its relationship with Skate Canada and we are excited to once again capitalize on one of their event-hosting opportunities. The benefits of hosting events are far-reaching and have the power to transform our community – economically, socially and culturally – while driving tourism and adding value to the lives of our residents."

Approximately 800 adult competitors will compete in five disciplines: free skate, interpretive, ice dance, pair and synchronized skating. Skate Canada offers recreational, test and competitive opportunities to adult skaters through its AdultSkate program. Programs available to adult skaters include CanSkate, STARSkate, CanPowerSkate and SynchroSkate.

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Skate Canada, the national governing body responsible for the development and administration of skating in Canada, is the largest figure skating association in the world. With over 4,800 registered coaches, skating programs for athletes of all ages are offered at nearly 1,300 skating clubs and schools across the country. Skate Canada is an association dedicated to providing every Canadian the opportunity to learn life skills while experiencing the power, strength and creativity of one of Canada's premier sports.

In 2011, Skate Canada produced two world champions, Patrick Chan in senior men's and Andrei Rogozine in junior men's. Olympic Champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won the world ice dance silver medal.

"Skate Canada…teaching Canadians to skate since 1887"