The 2022 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships presented by Prevagen begin this week at the Fred Rust Ice Arena in Newark, Delaware. Hosted by the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, the competition is taking place April 6-9 and will welcome 482 athletes between the ages of 21-83.
Competitors at the U.S. Adult Championships are divided into five age groups (21-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66+) and two tracks (masters and adults). Events are held in singles, pairs, solo dance, partnered dance, emotional performance and lyrical pop/character/comedy. This year’s competition will have 816 event starts.
The University of Delaware FSC was set to host the 2020 Adult Championships before they were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, the local organizing committee (LOC) looks forward to providing an outstanding experience for the athletes.
“There is a sense of achievement in the face of adversity,” said Jerry Santoferrara, LOC co-chair and University of Delaware FSC president. “Despite some compromises in how we had originally intended to run the event, we feel as though we are on track to provide a memorable competition. This event is a culmination of two years of anticipation and hard work. Seeing the number of skaters who are attending makes it all worthwhile. It is an opportunity to shine a light on such a wonderful and diverse subset of the figure skating community. I am looking forward to seeing all of the skaters and to being a part of this remarkably resilient group of people.”
Among the athletes returning this year who won their championship events in 2021 are Adam Hudson, Grace Stuever, Michael Solonoski and the pair team of Erin Krentz and Chris Obzansky.
“This will be our largest U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in 20 years,” said Lori Fussell, national vice chair for Adult Skating on the Competitions Committee. “These numbers show that the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships are thriving as the premier adult skating competition in the U.S while still being financially viable for our host clubs, despite significant hurdles in recent history. Our future is bright, and we are supporting the Strategic Plan's goals for membership growth and retention.”
Special awards will be presented at the competition. The Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy will be presented to the oldest competitor, Skate Forever Young Awards will be presented to all competitors who are 71 and older and Adult Special Achievement Awards will be given to adult athletes in championship pairs and dance events to encourage and reward high-quality elements, skating skills and interpretation.
Two club awards will be presented: the Large Club (175+ members) Team Trophy and the Small Club (<175 members) Team Trophy. Additionally, all competitors reaching a new milestone of five, 10, 15, 20 or 25 appearances at the Adult Championships will become eligible for awards within the Lifetime Competitor Recognition Program.
“Now in its 27th iteration, the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships are the ultimate competitive opportunity,” said Adult Skating Committee Chair Aviva Cantor. “It’s the togetherness of the community that I look forward to the most. Our annual ‘family reunion’ blends camaraderie with competition, proving that there is no expiration date to the journey, goals and achievements of a skater.”
Follow the Adult Skating Committee on Facebook for live broadcasts of the opening ceremony and the committee’s annual meeting. The opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 6, from 7:45-8:15 p.m. ET, and the annual meeting will take place on Thursday, April 7, from 1:00-1:45 p.m. ET.
Further event details can be found on the event website. After the competition concludes, videos of all events will be posted to the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
