Held annually since 1914, the U.S. Championships are the most prestigious figure skating event in the nation. Over the course of a week, Jan. 20-27, 12 national champions in ladies, men's pairs and ice dancing will be crowed on the senior, junior and novice levels.

More than 1,500 figure skating athletes, coaches and officials will be in St. Paul for this year's national competition. The U.S. Championships are also expected to draw 125,000 spectators to St. Paul.

The 2008 U.S. Championships will be shown on television four times. Tune into the senior pairs free skate and competition highlights Jan. 26 from 4-6 p.m., senior ladies free skate (live) and senior free dance Jan. 26 from 8-11 p.m., senior men's free skate Jan. 27 from 7-9 p.m. and the exhibition Feb. 2 from 4-6 p.m. All times are Eastern.

Notable U.S. Champions

Past champions include Olympic Champions Dick Button (1946-1952), Peggy Fleming (1964-1968), Dorothy Hamill (1974-1976), Scott Hamilton (1981-1984), Brian Boitano (1985-1988), Kristi Yamaguchi (1991-1992) and Tara Lipinski (1997). Other U.S. Champions include two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan (1996, 1998-2005), Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen (2006) and Johnny Weir (2004-2006).

Last year's senior champions were Kimmie Meissner in ladies, Evan Lysacek in men's, Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski in pairs and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto in ice dancing. Mirai Nagasu also won junior ladies, Eliot Halverson won junior men's and Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker won junior pairs.

By the Numbers

1 Venue will host the U.S. Championships: Xcel Energy Center

8 The 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships lasts eight days from Jan. 20-27

12 U.S. titles to be awarded in ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing

17 Age of reigning men’s junior champion and Saint Paul native, Eliot Halverson

27 Number of different events to watch over the course of the week

37 Number of athletes who have Web sites hosted at Figure Skaters Online

250 The approximate number of competitors

300 Expected media from around the country to cover the event

800 Volunteers that will help St. Paul host the 2008 U.S. Championships

1,000 Support staff including coaches, parents, chaperones and U.S. Figure Skating officials

7,000 Hotel room nights reserved over the week for the event

154,893 2007 U.S. Championships attendance in Spokane, Wash., the current record

25-30 million Dollars estimated to be generated by visitors

Figure Skaters Online's Guide to the 2008 U.S. Championships is
written and produced by Figure Skaters Online in cooperation with the athletes and staff.

Photographs are courtesy of Leah Adams unless otherwise noted.