events

U.S. Figure Skating Announces $600,000 in Prize Money for 2004-05 Season

Campbell's Classic in St. Paul, Minn., to launch season on Oct. 1

Five-time World champion Michelle Kwan Photo by Paul Harvath

(7/14/04) — U.S. Figure Skating announced Wednesday the introduction of $600,000 in prize money that is up for grabs at three linked events during the 2004-05 season. The three events will award $200,000 each: the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 1; the Marshalls World Cup of Figure Skating in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Dec. 3; and the Marshalls International Figure Skating Challenge, location and date to be announced at a later date.

"By introducing this prize money U.S. Figure Skating is making a significant investment in establishing these three events as major competitions for the top athletes in our sport," said Chuck Foster, president of U.S. Figure Skating. "With the added incentive I look forward to seeing the top athletes in the world compete at an even higher level than in the past. I am confident the results will support the amount of prize money being offered."

The games begin at the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 1. Highlighting the event are five-time World and eight-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan and World silver medalist Sasha Cohen. The event marks the first Olympic-eligible figure skating competition to return to the Twin Cities since the 1998 World Championships in Minneapolis, at which Kwan won her second World title.

"I have such wonderful memories of competing in the Twin Cities, so I'm really looking forward to returning there in the fall," Kwan said.  "The first competition of the season is always an exciting one for me. I can't think of a better place to start my year."

Sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU), the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic is the first Olympic-eligible figure skating competition for the 2004-05 season and will feature the best figure skaters in the world in the ladies and men's disciplines. The one-day competition will be held at the Xcel Energy Center at 7:30 p.m. Each athlete will perform one free skate in front of an international panel of five judges. Led by Kwan and Cohen, the remaining skaters will be announced as the event nears.

The $600,000 prize money announcement marks an investment by U.S. Figure Skating to increase the level of competition and intensity at the three events. At each event the following prize money amounts will be allotted to the top six ladies and the top six men:

First Place — $50,000
Second Place — $25,000
Third Place — $15,000
Fourth Place — $5,000
Fifth Place — $3,000
Sixth Place — $2,000

Tickets for the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic go on sale Monday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m. and are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, at 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. Group discounts are available, call 651.312.3486 for more information. The event will be nationally broadcast by ABC Sports on Oct. 10 from 1-3 p.m. EST.