(October 4, 2017) --- The Skate America Grand Prix figure skating competition returns to Lake Placid, N.Y., Nov. 24-26, 2017. The event is the sixth and final competition of the 2017 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series and is expected to feature 60 of the world’s top figure skaters.

Skate America in Lake Placid’s Olympic Center goes back to the event’s origin, nearly four decades ago.  First held in 1979, though then by a different name — the Flaming Leaves International — the competition served as a test event for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. It officially started with the name Skate America in 1981 and has been held 33 times since. The event was not held in 1980, 1984 and 1987.

WHAT: Skate America Grand Prix figure skating competition

WHEN: November 24-26, 2017. The men and pairs’ short programs are set for Friday, Nov. 24. The ladies’ short program and short dance, as well as the men and pairs’ free skates are slated for Saturday, Nov. 25. On Sunday, Nov. 26, the competition concludes with the free dance and ladies’ free skate. The Skate America Smuckers’ Skating Spectacular, an exhibition of champions, medalists and invited guests, takes place Sunday evening.

WHERE: Lake Placid, N.Y., Herb Brooks Arena-1980 Olympic Center

WHO: Olympic, world and national champions in ladies, men, pairs and ice dance. The Grand Prix stop will serve as a key event as skaters ready for the quickly approaching 2018 Olympic Games.

The pairs’ competition field features U.S. champions Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier, Canada’s two-time World champions Meagan Duahmel and Eric Radford and Germany’s reigning World silver medalists Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot.

The ladies’ side has five of the top-10 ranked skaters in the world, including U.S. champion Karen Chen, Canadian champion and reigning World bronze medalist Gabby Daleman, and 2016 World silver medalist and three-time U.S. champion Ashley Wagner.

The men’s lineup includes U.S. champion and “Quad King” Nathan Chen and reigning World bronze medalist Boyang Jin, from China, while in ice dance, two-time American champions and three-time World medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani and Italy’s 2014 World champions Anna Capellini and Luca Lanotte headline the field. 

All media interested in attending and covering Skate America are required to complete a media credential application. Media credential applications are available by visiting http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84082.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.