San Jose to host US Figure Skating Championships in 2018
Figure skating. (Photo: SAP Center)
SAN JOSE (KTVU) -- The city of San Jose will host the 2018 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships, a qualifying event that will serve to select the athletes to represent the United States during the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, officials announced Monday.
Champions will be crowned in 20 events in ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dance at the championship, junior, novice, intermediate and juvenile levels of the U.S. Figure Skating competitive structure.
“U.S. Figure Skating is excited to return to San Jose for the 2018 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” U.S. Figure Skating President Sam Auxier said in a written statement. “The Bay Area is steeped in figure skating tradition with some of the sport’s legends calling the area home.
The U.S. Championships annually attract more than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials, as well as families, friends and figure skating fans from around the world to the host community.
The competition has been held since 1914. According to organizers, past champions have included Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton.
“This is a wonderful day for the City of San Jose. We are very excited to be selected as host for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, one of the country’s most high-profile sporting events,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Our region has a strong history of producing some of America’s top skaters and a legacy of competitive excellence. I am personally honored and excited to share San Jose with the nation in hosting this prestigious event.”
Tickets to the U.S. Championships are scheduled to go on sale later this fall. The event marks the third time San Jose has hosted the games, with previous stints occurring in 1996 and 2012.