Ottawa Area Skaters Audition for Flower Retriever Positions for the 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

TORONTO, ON: Skate Canada will hold flower retriever auditions for the 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships this Friday, October 14 at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Ottawa, Ontario.

Young skaters from the ages of nine to 13 applied through an online application process. Those who met the requirements were eligible for an audition. Fifty-six (56) children will be auditioning for a minimum of 18 spots.

Three judges will evaluate on-ice skating skills and suitability through a series of on-ice activities. Those selected will act as the official flower retrievers for the event, collecting stuffed animals and other items thrown onto the ice by fans after a skaters’ performance. For many this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with the world’s best figure skaters.

The 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will take place at the beginning of year at The Arena at TD Place in Ottawa, Ont., from January 16-22, 2017. The championships will be the first sporting event in Ottawa’s year-long celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.

Media are invited to Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex to take in the process and speak with candidate flower retrievers.

As well, during that same day Skate Canada will also hold ceremony auditions with a group of teenagers aged 14-17, to determine the various participants to assist during victory and opening ceremonies as flag, flower and medal bearers.

TICKETS

All-event ticket packages for the championships will go sale this Friday, October 14. Fans will be able to choose from four levels of all-event ticket packages that are priced at $120, $160, $200, and $300, plus applicable surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online at TDPlace.ca, or by phone at 613-232-6767 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.

EVENT INFO

The pre-eminent all-Canadian sporting event will feature approximately 250 skaters in the men’s, women’s, pair, and ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior, and novice. Athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2017 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, 2017 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and 2017 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Ottawa hosted the very first National Skating Championships in 1914 as well as in 1922, 1925, 1929, 1935, 1940, 1949, 1953, 1958, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2006 and 2014. The 2017 event will be 15th time that Ottawa will have hosted the largest gathering of Canadian skating talent.