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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. FIGURE SKATING CONTACT: Lindsay DeWall, Director of Media & Public RelationsDELAWARE SKATER CHRISTINE ZUKOWSKI TO COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL SKATING UNION JUNIOR GRAND PRIX FINAL COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 9, 2005) - Local skater Christine Zukowski (Newark, Del.) will represent the United States at the International Skating Union’s (ISU) Junior Grand Prix (JGP) Final after two strong performances at JGP events this season. Zukowski who trains at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club with coaches Jeff DiGregorio, Sasha Kirsanov and Bobbie Shire, finished second at JGP Andorra in September and third at JGP Croatia last month to qualify for the JGP Final, which will be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Nov 24-27. This is Zukowski’s second season on the JGP Series. She finished fifth at 2004 JGP China, her only event last year. She also won the 2004 Gardena Spring Trophy and finished second at the 2005 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships, both of those on the junior level. Zukowski is one of approximately 400 athletes representing more than 35 countries who took part in this year’s JGP Series. Each athlete was eligible to score points in two of the eight scheduled events. The top-eight point-earners in each of the disciplines then qualified for the JGP Final. Athletes will be vying for a total of $365,000 in prize money throughout the series. The JGP Series, now in its ninth season, is considered to be a breeding ground for the future stars of figure skating. Previous U.S. entries include 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, two-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir and World ice dancing silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto. To follow Zukowski’s progress at the Junior Grand Prix Final, please visit www.usfigureskating.org for results, photos and news throughout the event weekend. For interview request please contact Lindsay DeWall at the number listed above. – U.S. Figure Skating –
U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of over 585 member clubs representing nearly 160,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States, including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed. |
