City to host championshipsfor world's top speed skaters

HUNDREDS of the world’s best skaters are set to come to Sheffield as the city has been selected to host the 2011 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships.

More than 200 skaters from 34 countries, including Great Britain’s Jon Eley, will compete in the championships which run from March 11 to 13.

It is the first time the competition, which will take place at Sheffield Arena, has been held in England for 10 years.

National Ice Skating Association (NISA) chief executive Keith Horton said: “We have a commitment to bringing sporting events to this country to show that our facilities are up there with the best in the world. We are very much looking forward to working with the city of Sheffield and our partners once again.

“NISA has assembled an experienced organising committee who are already working hard on the entire pre-event organisation.

“We are confident that these championships will be of the highest standard possible and will be most memorable for everyone involved.”

The European Figure Skating Championships – the third largest figure skating competition in the world – will also be staged at Sheffield Arena in 2012.

Steve Brailey, chief executive of SIV, the organisation that runs the Arena, said: “It is a credit to both the SIV team and the city that NISA chooses our venues so often for its international events. The first-class facilities on offer at the Motorpoint Arena will provide an excellent venue for a competition of this calibre.

“It’s another opportunity for SIV to have a positive economic impact on the city and will also be a boost to Sheffield’s tourism industry attracting hundreds of skaters, coaches and families from around the world.”