Michael Weiss Added to Campbell's Classic Lineup

Michael Weiss Photo by Paul Harvath

(10/4/05) - Three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss has been added to the roster for the 2005 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 8. The two-time Olympian has been added to replace Brian Joubert of France, who was forced to withdraw due to conflicts.

Weiss will join the five other men competing for the $100,000 in prize money, which includes a $50,000 prize for the gold medalist. Those hunting for the gold include 2002 Olympic medalist Timothy Goebel and 2003 Grand Prix Final champion Emanuel Sandhu of Canada. Six ladies will also compete for another $100,000, including five-time World champion Michelle Kwan, two-time World silver medalist Sasha Cohen and 2004 World champion Shizuka Arakawa of Japan.

The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. It will include six ladies and six men competing their free skates under the new ISU judging system, as well as an exhibition by 2005 U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto. The event will be nationally broadcast by ABC Sports on Oct. 16, 1-3 p.m. EST. Check local listings.

Tickets for the Campbell's Classic are now on sale, available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, through charge by phone at 651.989.5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Reserved seats will be priced at $60, $46.75, $31.75 and $21.75. U.S. Figure Skating and the Xcel Center will donate $2 from every ticket sold to the United Way to aid survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita now living in Minnesota. The check will be presented at the conclusion of the Oct. 8 event.

Ladies
Shizuka Arakawa (JPN)
Sasha Cohen (USA)
Emily Hughes (USA)
Michelle Kwan (USA)
Kimmie Meissner (USA)
Joannie Rochette (CAN)

Men
Timothy Goebel (USA)
Takeshi Honda (JPN)
Evan Lysacek (USA)
Emanuel Sandhu (CAN)
Johnny Weir (USA)
Michael Weiss (USA)