World class figure skating comes to NZ for first time

Japan's Akiko Suzuki. Photo / Getty Images

Figure skaters from South Africa, Korea, Japan and Australia are heading to Dunedin to compete against 12 New Zealanders in the first internationally-recognised competition to be held in New Zealand.

Next week's figure skating programme in Dunedin is part of the New Zealand Winter Games, which begin tomorrow.

The International Skating Union (ISU) has given the green light for the three-day programme starting on August 28.

World No 19 Akiko Suzuki of Japan will contest the women's senior event alongside 18-year old Na Young Kim from Korea, a regular podium finisher in Junior Grand Prix.

Among New Zealand's most prominent entries are four-time national senior women's champion Morgan Figgins of Dunedin, Laura Mills of Christchurch and Auckland's Allie Rout.

Grant Howie of Dunedin will contest the men's senior title.

Winter Games chief executive Arthur Klap hoped the Games put New Zealand on the map as a venue for international figure skating competitions.

"Working together with the ISU and NZISA, our national governing body, has allowed us to put together a first class event that can only help raise the sport's profile and get more people involved," Klap said.

"With excellent facilities and so much talent on show it promises to be a great event for both competitors and spectators. Interestingly figure skating attracts the most spectators at the Olympics so we hope it captures the public's imagination here in the same way."

The Winter Games will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 21-30 August 2009 and will feature disciplines of alpine skiing, free skiing, x-country skiing, snowboarding, curling, ice skating and adaptive snow sports as well as the demonstration sports of winter triathlon and natural luge.

- NZPA