London Celebrates “One Year To Go” to the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

Businessman Bill Boland to chair Local Organizing Committee

LONDON, ON: With just 365 days to go until the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships begin in London, Ontario, Skate Canada and the City of London held a celebration at White Oaks Mall on Saturday, March 10th.

World-class skaters Cynthia Phaneuf and Elladj Baldé, both alternates for this year’s Canadian world team, joined Skate Canada CEO William Thompson, London Mayor Joe Fontana and London Tourism General Manager John Winston for the event which kicked off a year of activities leading up to the prestigious event.

London Ontario businessman Bill Boland was introduced as the event’s first volunteer. Boland, who has been involved with skating since his days in the 1980s with the London Skating Club, will serve as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee.  That team will swell to over 300 people who will help to stage the event.  In accepting the honour, Boland said, “ I am excited and thrilled that this major ISU sanctioned international world event, where countries will qualify for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, is coming to my home city of London. This is a great opportunity for the many skating fans in London, as well as those from southern Ontario and the nearby US states to easily attend the event. Fans will see the best skaters in the world compete first-hand in a venue that will be full of tension and excitement.”

He also identified that “For the local community, who will be an important part of the festivities, it will be the first sporting event held in London to be televised around the world to millions. The community will be engaged and an important part of all the festivities surrounding this prestigious event during the spring break week of 2013.”

Boland also encouraged other interested volunteers to stay tuned to the newly launched website, www.worlds2013.ca to complete the online application, expected to be available in mid-April.

Londoners were reminded that all-event tickets will only be on sale until March 16th. The next release of tickets, bundled into three-session packages will be on sale as of the 17th.   They can be purchased online at www.johnlabattcentre.com, by telephone at 1.866.455.2849 (North America) +1.484. 875.7493 (International direct), or in-person at the John Labatt Centre box office.