Hundreds of the world’s best skaters will be in Sheffield when the city plays host to the thrill seeking 2011 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships.
Tickets are now on sale to see more than 200 skaters from 34 countries competing from March 11-13.
The National Ice Skating Association (NISA) will host the exciting, fast paced event at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena. It is the first time the Championship has been held in England for ten years.
NISA chief executive Keith Horton said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to see the world’s best short track speed skaters from Asia, North America and Europe.
“We have a commitment to bringing sporting events to this country to show that our facilities are up there with the best in the world. We are very much looking forward to working with the city of Sheffield and our partners once again.
“NISA has assembled an experienced organising committee who are already working hard on the entire pre-event organisation. We are confident that these championships will be of the highest standard possible and will be most memorable for everyone involved.”
Ken Pendrey, director of operations and chair of the organising committee said: “I'm confident that this World Championship will be a most exciting and thrilling event for not only the home spectators, but for the millions of Short Track fans from North America and Asia who will be watching the event on live TV.
“The Motorpoint Arena itself is a fantastic place to hold this prestigious ISU Championship and I'm positive that it will provide all the facilities necessary in making this event a huge success.”
With a capacity of 12,500, the Motorpoint Arena is Sheffield International Venues (SIV) flagship facility.
The world-class venue is firmly on the touring schedules of major international artists and hosts a huge number and range of concerts, ice shows, sports, exhibitions and theatre style shows every year.
All major NISA events are held in Sheffield with the ISU Junior Grand Prix coming up at iceSheffield from September 29 to October 3. The event sees all the best junior figure skaters from around the world competing in mens, ladies, ice dance and pairs disciplines.
The European Figure Skating Championships will also be staged at the Motorpoint Arena in 2012, which is the third largest figure skating competition in the world.
Steve Brailey, chief executive of SIV said: “It is a credit to both the SIV team and the city that NISA chooses our venues so often for its international events. The first-class facilities on offer at the Motorpoint Arena will provide an excellent venue for a competition of this calibre.
“It’s another opportunity for SIV to have a positive economic impact on the city and will also be a boost to Sheffield’s tourism industry attracting hundreds of skaters, coaches and families from around the world.”
The championships will be supported by the event’s funding partners, The City of Sheffield, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire South and Lottery funding support through UK Sport.
Ticket details for the World Championships visit www.worldshorttrack2011.co.uk, www.motorpointarena.co.uk, or call the Motorpoint Arena Box Office 0114 256 5656.
Ticket details for the European Championships are yet to be confirmed, but to purchase tickets for the ISU Junior Grand Prix, visit www.jgp2010.co.uk.
