On October 21-23, skaters from around the world will be getting ready to step out onto the ice to compete in the Hilton HHonors Skate America in Ontario, California.
This event, even though it may be used just as another competition for some, for others, it takes on the historical aspect.
Dating back to when it was known as the Norton Skate in 1979, this competition served as one last opportunity to take the ice to work out the kinks in a skater's routine. It was held in Lake Placid before the Olympic Games were held there the same year.
This competition was deemed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, a part of the Flaming Leaves Festival, which was only four months before the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.
When the competition returned the following year in 1981, it was then renamed, Skate America.
From the beginning the event was invitation only to those skaters who were from around the world and were the best of the best.
So for three days about 60 skaters will compete at the Olympic level in an event that numbers one of six of its kind. This particular event is part of the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix Series that takes place each year.
The events they will compete in are the same as today as what they were back then. Those divisions are, the Men's, Ladies, and Pairs short and long programs as well as the short Dance and the free Dance.
After all the competing has commenced on the final day there is a Skating Spectacular, which exhibits the skating talents of the top four finishers in each of the four categories.
Once the scores are tallied from the other competitions in the series being, Skate Canada, NHK Trophy, Cup of China, Trophee Eric Bompard and Rostelecom Cup (also formerly known as the Cup of Russia), as well as Skate America, then the top six men, women, pairs teams, and dance teams are invited to represent their country at the ISU Grand Prix Final.
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