Goodwill Games

07/01/2001

International Ice Champions Set for Games
$600,000 (USD) total prize purse
Rising Aussie stars selected

A stellar field of competitors and a huge prize purse of $600,000 (USD) are set
to make figure skating one of the most exciting sports at the 2001 Goodwill Games.

Many of the biggest international names in figure skating, together with some rising Aussie stars, will compete at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from September 5 - 8.

The competitors will skate on an international competition standard ice rink especially shipped in for the Goodwill Games. The rink will remain permanently in Brisbane after the Games, serving as a lasting legacy for the sport in Queensland.

All of the Australian competitors selected for the event are Queenslanders, giving them the unique opportunity to line up against the world's best before a supportive home crowd.

The Australian figure skating team for the 2001 Goodwill Games is:

Anthony Liu, men's competition;
Steffi Zhang, ladies;
Portia Rigby and Francis Rigby, Ice Dance.

International competitors featured in the ladies' competition include 2001 World silver medalist Irina Slutskaya (RUS) and 1999 World champion Maria Butyrskaya (RUS), as well as defending Goodwill Games champion and four-time World champion Michelle Kwan (USA).

2001 World champion Evgeni Plushenko (RUS) and 2001 World silver medallist Alexei Yagudin (RUS) will headline the men's competition that will also feature 2001 Four Continents bronze medallist Michael Weiss (USA), 2001 US National champion Timothy Goebel (USA) and 1998 Olympic silver medallist Elvis Stojko (CAN).

A host of other top skaters have also accepted invitations to compete (see list at end of release), setting the scene for one of the hardest-fought contests of the Games.

"The competition at the Goodwill Games is going to be tough, but I look forward to that. Skating among such incredible athletes will push me to perform at my best," Russian skater Irina Slutskaya said.

The invitation process is ongoing, and Games officials will announce the complete figure skating field by August 1.
Ice Skating Australia President Don McKnight said the 2001 Goodwill Games marked the first time world-class, senior skaters would compete in a major international event in Australia.

"This really will be a unique opportunity for both our Australian team and the spectators in the stands," Mr McKnight said.

"Our Australian skaters have competed against many of the big international names before, but never in front of a home crowd in Queensland.

"The experience will be a valuable lead-up to next year's Winter Olympics and should add to figure skating's growing popularity in Australia."

Goodwill Games Inc President Mike Plant said figure skating would be one of the highlights of the 2001 Goodwill Games.

"The skaters that will be competing in Brisbane are the sport's paramount athletes and will surely make this a phenomenal competition," Mr Plant said.

A total of 56 of the world's best figure skaters, 28 men and 28 women, will compete in the Goodwill Games. The figure skating competition will feature four events: ladies, men's, pairs' and ice dance competitions.

The ladies', the men's and the pairs' events will comprise a short program and free skate section, and the ice dance event will be comprised of original dance and free skate sections.

In the ladies' and men's competitions first place garners $40,000; second, $30,000; third, $20,000; fourth, $10,000; fifth, $7,500; sixth, $5,000; and seventh and below, $4,000. In the pair's and ice dance competitions first place garners $50,000; second, $40,000; third, $30,000; fourth, $15,000; fifth, $10,000; sixth, $7,500; and seventh and below, $5,500. (All figures are USD)

Media information:
Lisa White, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2084 (direct) / Mobile: 0404 842 370
E-mail: lisa.white@2001gwgbrisbane.com.au

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