Figure Skating

BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships

The 2009 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships promises to be an unforgettable event.

Approximately 250 of Canada's best skaters are headed to Saskatoon, SK, to compete in the 2009 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships January 14-18 at the Credit Union Centre. The results at this event will determine who will represent Canada at the next ISU World Figure Skating Championships, ISU Four Continents Championships and ISU World Junior Championships.

The event takes place at the Credit Union centre over four days. Athletes have qualified to compete at the national championships through the 13 BMO Skate Canada Sectionals and the BMO Skate Canada Western and Eastern Challenges. Skaters who were ranked in the top 12 in last year’s Canadian Championships will proceed directly to the short program.

Figure Skating for Canadians of All Ages - and All Walks of Life

While sponsoring the Canadian Championships is important to Canada's continuing excellence in figure skating, it is only the most visible component of BMO Financial Group's deep, long-term commitment to this popular and graceful sport.

Competitions

BMO Financial Group's commitment to Canadian figure skating ranges from the grassroots program CanSkate to the National Figure Skating Team and the Canadian Championships. BMO's partnership with Skate Canada began in 1997 with title sponsorship of the Canadian Championships. The partnership continues to strengthen and now includes the following titled events:

BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships - The national championships for Junior and Senior-level skaters. Canada's national and world teams are determined at these championships.

BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals - Considered a development program, these championships provide Juvenile, Pre-Novice and Novice-level skaters with national experience and an opportunity to become a member of the Junior National Team representing Canada at international competitions.

BMO Skate Canada Synchronized Championships - Recognizing the importance of teamwork, BMO Financial Group supports the national Synchronized Skating Championships. Canada's world synchronized team is determined at these championships.

BMO Skate Canada Sectionals - The Sectional event is the first qualifying event on the road to the Canadian Championships or Junior Nationals. There are a total of 13 Sectional events that take place across Canada during November.

BMO Skate Canada Challenge Events - From the Sectional events, skaters qualify for either the Eastern or Western BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Challenge. Skaters proceed from these championships to either the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships or the BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals.

CanSkate

In addition to BMO Financial Group's repertoire of titled events, the Bank is the prime sponsor of Skate Canada's learn-to-skate program, CanSkate. To encourage the development of future Canadian skaters, BMO Financial Group has established BMO Financial Group CanSkate Champions Medal Program. This program honours the accomplishments and spirit of three young skating stars in each of the 1,450 skating clubs across Canada.

Why Does the Bank Support Figure Skating?

Figure skating enjoys a special cultural significance to Canadians and BMO Financial Group is proud to support this enduring national pastime. In a country noted for its regional diversity, figure skating is a common denominator. More than six million Canadians - almost 25% of the national population - are involved in this aesthetically graceful sport. Today, interest in figure skating is at an all-time high in Canada.

Skate Canada Fact Sheet

• Skate Canada is the largest national sport governing body in the world with over 200,000 members.
• Over six million people in Canada lace up their skates every year.
• Figure skating is a sport of national significance to Canadians and is part of our heritage. Canadians have excelled in figure skating, achieving international success and celebrity status.
• Since the 1930s, Canada has won more than 500 medals at international competitions, including World Championships, World Junior Championships, Olympic Winter Games, North American Championships and international Synchronized competitions.

A recent survey at the Canadian Championships found the following:

• 85% of the audience has a positive image of companies that sponsor events like the Canadian Championships and 68% are more likely to choose that company's products.
• The audience is 75% female and 25% male.
• Nearly 60% of the audience is over 20 years old with almost 50% between the ages of 20-54.
• Nearly 50% of the audience has a household income of over $60,000 and half of these have a household income of over $100,000.
• Over 50% of the audience is employed full time, part time or both.
• Students compose over 30% of the audience.
• 50% of the audience has a university or post-graduate degree.
• Tickets are purchased more than seven months in advance by 42% of the audience.
• Over 90% of the audience reports value for the ticket price.

BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships Fact Sheet

January 14 - 18, 2009, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK An average of nearly 1.75 million people daily will watch the event during 25 hours of national television coverage. There will be nearly 300 skaters in ladies, men's, pair and dance disciplines competing at the Senior and Junior levels. Competitors qualify through 13 BMO Skate Canada Sectionals and two BMO Skate Canada Challenges. The top five finishers in singles, pair and dance disciplines comprise Canada's National Figure Skating Team. All of these skaters will have an opportunity to compete for Canada at one or more international competitions. There will be 60 officials, 150 coaches and hundreds of local volunteers at the event. Over 50 accredited national and local media will cover the event. Over 150 BMO Financial Group employees will volunteer during the five-day competition.

For ticket information, please call Ticketmaster.

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