Wichita Selected for 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Qualifying Season
WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 30, 2018) — U.S. Figure Skating announced the selection of host cities for the 2020 regional and sectional championships and synchronized sectional championships, and Wichita, Kansas, was selected for a second time to host this competition. Wichita first hosted the Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships in January 2018.
2020 dates are slated for Jan. 15-19 with all competitions being conducted at INTRUST Bank Arena and practices taking place at the Wichita Ice Center.
The qualifying teams from the Midwestern/Pacific Coast sectional championships will take on the qualifying teams from the Eastern competition being held in Albany, NY.
“We are excited to be heading back to Wichita for the 2020 Midwestern & Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships,” U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith said. “It is great to have such a solid local organizing committee kick off the qualifying season. Wichita has proven to be an excellent host for this event in the past with an electric environment, supportive community, and top-notch facilities that meet the many needs of a synchronized skating competition.”
Providing local support to host the competition is Visit Wichita and the Wichita Figure Skating Club.
“This is a huge win for our city, and we’re very excited U.S. Figure Skating has selected Wichita for a second time,” said Brian Hargrove, executive director of sports development at Visit Wichita. “It’s a real testament to the quality ice facilities we have in the city, the strength of our local figure skating club and solidifies that Wichita is a tremendous sports city capable of hosting sporting events of all magnitudes.”
The competition will attract more than 160 teams and 2,500 athletes to Wichita. In total, the athletes, coaches, competition organizers and fans the competition will bring to Wichita are estimated to generate more than $3.4 million in local economic impact. Those competing will range in age from 7 to 70.
“Wichita is excited to again welcome U.S. Figure Skating to Wichita, and we look forward to providing a fantastic and energetic welcome to sports fans from across the country,” said Susie Santo, Visit Wichita President and CEO. “Visitors will not only enjoy mesmerizing synchronized skating competitions while they are here, but also the city’s numerous amenities and well-known hospitality.”
President of the Wichita Figure Skating club John Crusinberry says he is proud to bring this qualifying event back to Wichita. "It's an opportunity for our club to showcase synchronized skating to the Wichita community while displaying to U.S. Figure Skating the excellent hospitality and ice facilities our city has to offer.”
Synchronized skating features teams of up to 20 skaters performing themed routines, lasting less than five minutes and set to music that ranges from Disney classics and Broadway tunes, to jazz, hip-hop and classical. It’s considered a fairly new sport, getting its start in 1956, but one of the most rapidly growing sports in the world, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
The Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Championships, hosted by U.S. Figure Skating, is the largest annual qualifying competition in its category. The top four teams from each division will earn a berth to the 2018 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships; location and date will be announced by U.S. Figure Skating at a later date.
About U.S. Figure Skating
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 700 member clubs, collegiate clubs, school-affiliated clubs and more than 1,000 registered Learn to Skate USA programs representing more than 192,100 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.
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2017 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About Wichita Figure Skating Club
The Wichita Figure Skating Club (WFSC) was established in 1932 and became a full member of the United States Figure Skating Association in 1941. They encourage the instruction, practice and advancement of the members in any or all of the disciplines of figure skating, up to and including participation at national and international levels; to encourage and cultivate a spirit of harmony and fraternal feeling among ice skaters; and to carry out the general policies and objectives of United States Figure Skating.