events

List of Skaters Confirmed for the 2004 Campbell's Classic

Michelle Kwan Photo by Michelle Harvath

(9/14/04) — The final list of 14 of the world's top figure skaters is now confirmed for the 2004 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic taking place in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 1. The one-day competition will be held at the Xcel Energy Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale through the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.

The ladies field will be led by five-time World and eight-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan (USA) and current World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (USA). The other six ladies competing are 2004 World champion Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2004 World fourth-place finisher Miki Ando (JPN), 2004 World fifth-place finisher Carolina Kostner (ITA), 2004 World sixth-place finisher Julia Sebestyen (HUN), 2004 U.S. bronze medalist Jennifer Kirk (USA) and 2004 U.S. fourth-place finisher Amber Corwin (USA). Cohen won gold at the 2003 Campbell's Classic in New York, while Kwan took the silver.

Current World silver medalist Brian Joubert (FRA) will lead the men's division in his first appearance at the event. The competitive field will also feature three top U.S. men: 2004 U.S. champion Johnny Weir (USA), 2002 Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel (USA) and 2004 World Junior silver medalist Evan Lysacek (USA). The other two men competing are 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final champion Emanuel Sandhu (CAN) and two-time World bronze medalist Takeshi Honda (JPN). At the 2003 Campbell's Classic Evgeny Plushenko (RUS) won gold, but he was unable to return this year to defend his title. Goebel won silver in 2003 and will look to capture gold against the 2004 competitive men's field.

“I am so honored to have been chosen to participate in the Campbell's Classic,” Lysacek said. “It will be the debut of my new free skate for this season. The audience's response is very important to me when assessing the success of a routine. That's why I love to perform in Minnesota, where the fans are so enthused and energetic. It should be a really fun and exciting event.”

At the Campbell's Classic skaters will compete for $200,000 of prize money, part of a first-time $600,000 pot up for grabs at three linked events throughout the 2004-2005 season. The introduction of prize money marks an investment by U.S. Figure Skating to increase the level of competition and intensity at the events. Each athlete will perform one free skate in front of an international panel of five judges. Prize money will then be allocated to the top six finishers in ladies and the top six finishers in men's:

First Place — $50,000
Second Place — $25,000
Third Place — $15,000
Fourth Place — $5,000
Fifth Place — $3,000
Sixth Place — $2,000

The three events to award $200,000 each are the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 1; the Marshalls World Cup of Figure Skating in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Dec. 3; and the Marshalls International Figure Skating Challenge, location and date to be announced at a later date.

Also appearing at the Campbell's Classic will be U.S. pairs champions Rena Inoue & John Baldwin and U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto. Both teams will perform an exhibition in between the men's and ladies competitions.

Tickets for the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic are on sale now and are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, at all Ticketmaster locations, through charge by phone at 651.989.5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Reserved seats will be priced at $60, $46.75, $31.75 and $21.75. Group discounts are available, call 651.312.3486 for more information. The event will be nationally broadcast by ABC Sports on Oct. 10 from 1-3 p.m. EST. Check your local listings.

Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic
Oct. 1, 2004

Ladies
Miki Ando (JPN) – 2004 World Championships, 4th; 2004 World Junior champion
Shizuka Arakawa (JPN) – 2004 World champion; two-time Japanese champion
Sasha Cohen (USA) – 2004 World silver medalist, three-time U.S. silver medalist
Amber Corwin (USA) – 2004 Four Continents bronze medalist; 2004 U.S. Championships, 4th
Jennifer Kirk (USA) – 2004 U.S. bronze medalist; 2002 Four Continents champion
Carolina Kostner (ITA) – 2004 World Championships, 5th; 2003 Italian champion
Michelle Kwan (USA) – Five-time World champion; eight-time U.S. champion
Julia Sebestyen (HUN) – 2004 European champion; 2004 World Championships, 6th

Men
Timothy Goebel (USA) – Two-time World silver medalist; 2002 Olympic bronze medalist
Takeshi Honda (JPN) – Two-time World bronze medalist; four-time Japanese champion
Brian Joubert (FRA) – 2004 World silver medalist; 2004 European champion
Evan Lysacek (USA) – 2004 World Junior silver medalist; 2004 Four Continents bronze medalist
Emanuel Sandhu (CAN) – 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final champion; three-time Canadian champion
Johnny Weir (USA) – 2004 U.S. champion; 2004 World Championships, 5th