Canada’s best figure skaters will descend on Harbour Station in Saint John this week for the 2019 National Skating Championships.
Co-chair Cynthia Benson says the week-long event features 250 skaters of all ages competing in the men, women, pairs and ice dance disciplines.
“This is a qualifying championship, in essence, for some other competitions such as the World Figure Skating Championships, the Junior World Figure Skating Championships, and the Four Continents [Figure Skating Championships],” said Benson.
Lots of work happening at Harbour Station in #SaintJohn ahead of the 2019 National Skating Championships, which begin Monday. About 250 of the nation’s top skaters will take part. pic.twitter.com/lTkLKjfY6l
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) January 12, 2019
Athletes will also aim for spots on the Skate Canada National Team.
This is the first time Saint John has hosted the skating nationals, but Benson said they have a lot of experience with other skating events.
“We did host Skate Canada International five years and we did a very successful job,” Benson said, noting the nationals run for a longer period of time and features more athletes.
Two days! Get ready to cheer on your favourite Canadian skaters in Saint John! #CTNSC19 #CreatingHistory // Deux jours! Préparez-vous à encourager vos patineurs canadiens préférés à Saint John! #CNPCT19 #Créerlhistoire
Tickets/Billets➡️ https://t.co/Em2WhK2kMk pic.twitter.com/YK07sl3aCs— Skate Canada / Patinage Canada (@SkateCanada) January 12, 2019
The novice and junior events run from Monday to Thursday, followed by the senior events on Friday and Saturday, and an Exhibition Gala on Sunday.
Tickets are still available at Harbour Station Box Office, online at harbourstation.ca, or by calling 1-800-267-2800.
Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(Photo: Brad Perry/Acadia News)
