Champions on Ice was a touring
ice show
An ice show is an entertainment production which is primarily performed by ice skaters. Such shows may primarily be skating exhibitions, or may be musical and/or dramatic in nature, using skating as a medium in order to accompany a musical work ...
in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. The show featured a large cast of both professional and Olympic-eligible
figure skaters
Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport to be included in the Olympic Games, when contested at the 1908 Olympics in London. The Olympic disciplines are me ...
along with novelty acts such as skating
acrobats
Acrobatics () is the performance of human feats of balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most often performed in acr ...
. The shows were focused primarily on solo performances by the skaters rather than ensemble work or acting out stories.
The tour was originally run by Tom Collins Enterprises. Collins first organized the tour following the
1969 World Figure Skating Championships. It was initially known as the "Tour of World Figure Skating Champions", and featured top amateur skaters who performed under an arrangement with the
International Skating Union
The International Skating Union (ISU) is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Net ...
(ISU). When the ISU liberalized its
amateur status rules in 1990, Collins began to add professional skaters to the tour, as well as active eligible competitors. The tour adopted the name of "Champions on Ice" in 1998.
In November 2006,
Anschutz Entertainment Group
The Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), also known as AEG Worldwide, is an American global sporting and music entertainment presenter and a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation. It is the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports even ...
and
Sergio Cánovas purchased Champions on Ice. AEG is the owner of Champions on Ice U.S.A. while
Sergio Cánovas owns the brand in the rest of the world. In 2008, Champions on Ice cancelled its tour and formed a partnership with Stars on Ice.
In 2012, Sergio Cánovas's new Champions on Ice began touring internationally, headlined by
Evgeni Plushenko
Evgeni Viktorovich Plushenko (, born 3 November 1982) is a Russian former figure skater. He is a four-time Olympic medalist (2006 gold, 2014 team gold, 2002 & 2010 silver), a three-time World champion (2001, 2003, 2004), a seven-time European ...
.
Skaters who had a long association with the tour include
Brian Boitano
Brian Anthony Boitano (born October 22, 1963) is an American figure skater from Sunnyvale, California. He is the 1988 Olympic champion, the 1986 and 1988 World Champion, and the 1985–1988 U.S. National Champion.
He turned professional foll ...
,
Viktor Petrenko
Viktor Vasyliovych Petrenko ( uk, Віктор Васильович Петренко; born 27 June 1969) is a Ukrainian former competitive figure skater who represented the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, and Ukraine during his career. He is the ...
,
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Wingshan Kwan (born July 7, 1980) is a retired competitive figure skater and diplomat serving as United States Ambassador to Belize. In figure skating Kwan is a two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 1998, bronze in 2002), a five-time ...
, and
Todd Eldredge
Todd James Eldredge (born August 28, 1971) is an American former competitive figure skater. He is the 1996 World champion, a six-time U.S. national champion (1990, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002), a three-time Olympian (1992, 1998, 2002), and a ...
.
References
External links
Ice shows
Touring performing arts
Anschutz Corporation
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