iceSheffield has been selected to stage a hat-trick of British skating championships in 2008. The state-of-the-art ice facility, managed by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), will host the John Wilson/MK British Ice Figure and Synchronized Skating Championships from January 8 – 12.

A team of seven skaters based at iceSheffield’s International Skating Academy of Excellence have already secured qualification for the event including Karla Quinn, Andrew Smykowski and Kira Geil, Mark Hanretty and Chrissy Chitwood, Sophie Kent and Katie Powell. National governing body – NISA (National Ice Skating Association) has also awarded the British RJS Synchronized Skating Championships to iceSheffield on March 24 followed by the British Solo Ice Dance Championships from July 1 – 3.

All three events have been brought to the city by Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit (MSEU), in partnership with SIV and NISA. iceSheffield is also bidding to host the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating for the second year running from October 15 – 18. Mandy Janes, general manager at iceSheffield, said: “It is wonderful that iceSheffield has been selected to host these high profile events, which form some of the highlights of the NISA calendar. They will bring together some of the best young skaters in the country and it will be a great opportunity for some of academy skaters to shine on home soil.”

iceSheffield, which is Sport England funded, opened in the city in May 2003. The twin-padded ice rink offers a mixed programme of activities for both recreational and elite skaters. Cllr Tim Rippon, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Culture and Planning, said: “The events will be a welcome addition to Sheffield’s packed sports programme for 2008 and will bring some of the best British talent to the city. It will be another great opportunity to increase Sheffield’s profile by placing the city on the national sporting stage and we look forward to delivering a quality event.”