News

Vancouver to host the 2008 BMO Canadian Championships

HALIFAX -- Skate Canada announced today that Vancouver will host the 2008 BMO Canadian Championships. The announcement was made during the closing news conference at the 2007 BMO Canadian Championships in Halifax.

The event will be held Jan. 16 - 20, 2008 at the Pacific National Exhibition.

"Skate Canada is looking forward to bringing the 2008 BMO Canadian Championships to Vancouver," said Skate Canada CEO William Thompson. "The Pacific Coliseum will be the figure skating venue at the Olympics in 2010, and competing here will provide the athletes with valuable experience. This should prove to be a very competitive event."

This is the fifth time that Vancouver will play host to the Canadian Championships. The city previously held the event in 1951, 1968, 1973 and 1997. Vancouver has also been the site of international figure skating events, including the 1978 Skate Canada International and the 2001 International Skating Union (ISU) World Figure Skating Championships.

"BMO Financial Group is happy to announce that the 2008 BMO Canadian Championships will be held in Vancouver. Based on the involvement of our employees in Halifax and prior years experience, we're convinced that our colleagues in Vancouver will devote their time and energy to this exciting competition as will Vancouverites, who are known for their commitment to skating and winter sports," said Susan Payne, Senior Vice-President, Marketing, BMO Financial Group.

"The City of Vancouver is very pleased to have been selected as host of the BMO Canadian Championships," said Mayor Sam Sullivan. "As a city that places a priority on celebrating sport and encouraging physical activity, Vancouver will no doubt be an excellent venue for this competition. "

"By hosting the 2008 BMO Canadian Championships, we will not only showcase Vancouver and our Olympic venues to thousands of people, but help athletes prepare for the 2010 Games. We're excited to work with Skate Canada in making this event a great success." Mike Fox, Manager, Sport Tourism Vancouver.

Approximately 150 skaters in women's, men's, pair and ice dance disciplines compete at the senior and junior levels at the BMO Canadian Championships. The athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada national team, the Skate Canada junior national team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2008 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, ISU Four Continents Championships and ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.