(April 3, 2007)

Skate Canada is deeply saddened by the news of the tragic boat accident that occurred on the Sydney Harbour in Australia on March 28, 2007. The accident claimed the lives of ISU judges Simone Moore and Alan Blinn, and 14-year-old Queensland (Australia) ice skating champion Morgan Innes. Seven other people were injured, including ISU Technical Committee member Rita Zonnekeyn and Olympian Liz Cain, mom and coach of Australian ice skating champion Sean Carlow.

Skate Canada was shocked when it first heard about this terrible event last week during the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2007 held in London, Ontario, and did all it could to comfort and give all the support needed to the Australian team competing at these championships. Skate Canada also offered condolences to the Ice Skating Australian Association, to the families directly affected this tragedy, and to those injured.

The close-knit figure skating community around the world is without a doubt touched by this accident as Simone, Alan and Morgan will truly be missed. Many in the figure skating community in Canada lost good colleagues in this tragic event.

Skate Canada will remember ISU judge Simone Moore as a good friend who was always happy to come to our country. Her last visit to Canada was in 2005 when the ISU World Junior Championships were held in Kitchener, Ontario, and she was a judge in the Pairs event.

Alan Blinn, president of the NSW Ice Skating Association and a top judge, was born in Canada and moved to Australia about 15 years ago. The NSW Ice Skating Association will create a memorial fund for him and Simone Moore, which will be opened to donations and provide scholarships to two young skaters in memory of Ms Moore and Dr Blinn.

Skate Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with the family of these individuals during this difficult time, and wishes a good and rapid recovery to ISU member Rita Zonnekeyn.