6th ANNUAL STARS, STRIPES & SKATES ICETRAVAGANZA – A HUGE HIT!!!!!
SKATING LEGENDS & 120 ASPIRING YOUNG SKATERS HONOR SHOW THE TRUE VALUES OF PATRIOTISM!
NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2006 - Skaters come to New York to honor the memory of 9/11 and show their patriotism and volunteer their time. This year’s sixth Annual Stars, Stripes, and Skates ICEtravaganza, benefiting the Heritage Foundation of 9/11, was a tremendous success; by far surpassing some of the greatest skating shows this audience has ever seen. Nearly 5,000 spectators showed up at the Nassau Coliseum to watch this truly extraordinary event. Many of the world’s most famous figure skaters came out to show their support including Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Baiul, Olympic Silver Medalists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto (who premiered their 2008 competitive free dance), two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist Philippe Candeloro, US Bronze Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, US Silver Medalists Eve Chalom and Matthew Gates, World Junior Champion Derrick Delmore, 5 time National Champions Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow, World Ice Dance Champion and 10 time Canadian National Champion Shae-Lynn Bourne, and World Junior Bronze Medalist and US National Junior Bronze Medalist Ashley Wagner. Also in attendance former US Champions Naomi Lang, Charles Butler and Timothy Goebel – came to show their support for the foundation. It was simply amazing to see such international support with skaters from France, Ukraine, Canada and the United States coming together for the cause.
Other special guest included Team Image Synchronized Skating Team, NY’s favorite mascot Mr. Met, News-12 Long Island’s Michael Coleman, Walk FM’s K.T. Mills, country singer Lee Greenwood and a Hero Hockey relay between the FDNY and NYPD. Our co-hosts for the evening were the extremely entertaining news reporter Ji Young Min and comedian Will Vought.
During the star studded show one of the skating world’s greatest and most accomplished coaches, Igor Shpilband was honored. The founder of the Heritage Foundation of 9/11 and creator of Stars, Stripes, and Skates, Tara Eve Modlin, announced “Through his American spirit overseas, his perseverance and admirable qualities as a teacher and mentor and his enormous generosity of time, there is no better example of Patriotism, Heroism and Volunteerism then Igor Shpilband.” Igor was absolutely elated and humbled to be the first person from the skating world to be honored at Stars, Stripes, and Skates. He is the embodiment of the American dream; from coming to the United States as an immigrant to churning out a top-notch school and a host of talented skaters to represent this great country. Igor has meant the world to the sport of figure skating and to his skaters. In fact, some of the most well respected judges in the world, Ann Greenthal and Shawn Rettstat came out in support of Igor; as well as Eve Chalom and Matthew Gates and Liz Punsalan and Jerod Swallow, who came together to skate one more time in honor of their esteemed coach.
This year’s Future Stars routine featured 120 young aspiring skaters who skated to Lee Greenwood’s live performance of his timeless classic God Bless the U.S.A. It was an extremely moving example of patriotism watching as the children waved their flags proudly on the ice in a United Skates of America themed performance including Texas, Vegas, California, and New York. The youngsters got to experience the impact of heroism as the foundation took a trip to Ground Zero and met with fireman, policeman, and rescue workers. They learned the impact of volunteerism as they watched this world class event come together with the support and dedication of volunteers. 17 Time National Competitor and World Jr. Champion, Derrick Delmore, skated an emotional program to honor his cousin, Christopher Panatier, who passed away on 9/11. His cousin’s wife and kids stood on ice and shared the spotlight with him.
“The show was an absolute show stopper – better than any skating, I’ve seen in years! From the national anthem and the opening number to the entire audience joining in New York-New York in the finale” exclaimed Barbara LaRosa – an avid skating fan, who frequents skating events and follows the sport closely. The opening number to “America” from West Side Story was choreographed by Keith Andrews, who is a musical theatre director and choreographer and brought a whole new light to the world of skating!
Media Contact: Tara Modlin • Fireworks ICS • (646) 435-0951 • tmodlin@fireworksics.com
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