John Hancock Champions On Ice Tour To Perform One Show At St Pete Times Forum In Tampa, FL On Sunday May 28, 2006 Tickets Now On Sale
Who: 2006 John Hancock Champions On Ice Tour
When: Sunday, May 28th, 2006 ~ 3:00pm
Where: St. Pete Times Forum
Tampa, FL
What: Shortly after the world's best skaters step off the ice in Torino, many Olympic figure skating stars will get a chance to showcase their sport in front of the best judges: the fans. These top skaters will entertain fans at the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday, May 28, 2006 at 3:00pm in the 2006 John Hancock Champions On Ice Tour.
Instead of skating in the intense competitive world, skaters will have the opportunity to perform crowd-pleasing programs and entertain skating fans nationwide in arenas throughout the United States. The 82-date John Hancock Champions on Ice tour, highlighted by the sport's biggest stars, will debut April 7 in Fort Myers, Fla., and will conclude Aug. 16 in Las Vegas.
Performing in the tour will be two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan, a longtime fan favorite who was forced to withdraw from the Winter Games in Torino with a groin injury. Kwan made a heartfelt attempt to compete in Torino in hopes of winning an elusive gold medal, but her injuries proved to be too great. In the end, being the class act she has proven to be time and again, she stepped aside in time for Emily Hughes to represent the United States in her place.
Among those joining Kwan on tour will be 2002 Olympic silver medalist Irina Slutskaya, U.S. Champion and two-time Olympian Sasha Cohen, three-time World Champion and 2002 Olympic silver medalist Evgeny Plushenko, three-time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir, reigning World Champion Stephane Lambiel, as well as other Champions from Olympic and World competition including Olympic gold medalist Victor Petrenko, Rudy Galindo and Surya Bonaly.
World Silver Medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, who have emerged as ice dancing's newest sensation and America's sweethearts, will also be on the tour, as will the 2002 Olympic ice dancing champions Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat. Also featured in the tour are the brilliant Russian world champion pairs team of Tatiana Totminana and Maxim Marinan. The tour also will feature some of its well-known and well-loved specialty acts with Irina Gregorian, Dan Hollander and the comic duo of Vladimir Besedin and Oleksiy Polishchuk.
Skaters will have the ability to perform their own routines, selecting music and choreography of their choice, as well as skate in special opening and closing group numbers. The cast list may change and be updated periodically.
Champions on Ice is a presentation of Tom Collins Enterprises, which has celebrated a tradition of providing the finest in skating entertainment for more than a quarter of a century.
Media: All interested media that would like to inquire about interviews, attend and review, photograph, and/or videotape this event should contact Karen Cohn at least one week prior to event on these requests. Although an email request is preferred, fax is acceptable. The request will then be forwarded to the appropriate event contact person. Follow-up with the event contact person is strongly suggested. Once coverage of the event or interview request is approved, free parking will be made available. All parking accommodations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. For more information on the 2006 tour, log on to championsonice.com.
Tickets: Tickets for this event went on sale Friday, February 24th at 10am at the McDONALD's BOX OFFICE at the St. Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets including FYE and the USF Sundome. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100 or log onto ticketmaster.com. Tickets are now available for John Hancock Champions on Ice 2006 Tour at championsonice.com. Tickets are priced at $97, $67, $47 and $32. VIP Seating is also available at $147. Prices do not include service charges. For more information please call (813) 301-2500 or visit stpetetimesforum.com.
