Olympic-caliber competition at cheap-seat prices — it's here in Salt Lake City this week at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.
No, spectators will not see Michelle Kwan or newly crowned American men's champ Timothy Goebel. But during competition at the Delta Center Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 7-10, Utahns can see two of the world's top pairs skating teams make their pre-Olympic appearances, along with two of the dominant men in American skating over the past decade.
And the Salt Lake Organizing Committee will be able to put the Delta Center to the test, gauging ice consistency and electronic data transfers, along with the dreaded "venue question" — whether the arena can pass muster with ticketholders, athletes and the media.
The pairs competition this afternoon will feature the Canadian double-whammy — luscious national champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, and the resurgent Kristy Wirtz and Kris Wirtz. Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao lead the Chinese contingent with their strength and consistency, which could carry them to the top of the Olympic podium next year. The Americans also will come in force with their top three teams: Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman, Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn, and Danielle Hartsell and Steve Hartsell.
The men take center ice at tonight's main event, which likely will be an American show. Though Goebel will not compete, the event still offers much — namely, the continued comeback of five-time American champion Todd Eldredge and the newly waged comeback of Michael Weiss, who capped off a mediocre season with a disappointing fourth-place finish at nationals last month in Boston.
Tickets are still available by calling 801-325- SEAT (7328), or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. Single session tickets are priced from $5.
The Deseret News will provide daily coverage of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.
E-mail: jnii@desnews.com