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100 Days Out: 100 Spins, 100 Skaters, 100 Pair Of Skates

Single-Session Tickets On Sale Friday; Local Partners Riedell And
United Way Join To Refurbish And Distribute 100 Pairs Of Donated Skates

ST. PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In just over 100 days, the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will descend on St. Paul. To mark the 100-day milestone, which is officially Friday, Oct. 12, a number of festivities are planned: 100 figure skaters from local area clubs will perform 100 spins simultaneously on the ice at Xcel Energy Center to start the day, single-session tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. that morning, and a 40 x 60-foot banner will be unfurled along the southwest side of Xcel Energy Center.

Additionally, newly-announced local event partners Riedell Skate Company of Red Wing, Minn., and Greater Twin Cities United Way have combined their efforts to refurbish and then donate 100 pairs of figure skates to the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities, a United Way partner.

For competitors, the road to the U.S. Championships each year begins with the U.S. Figure Skating qualifying structure of nine regional events and three sectional events. Skaters who place in the top four at a regional qualify for a sectional; skaters who place in the top four at a sectional qualify for the U.S. Championships. Several skaters from Minnesota are competing in the Upper Great Lakes Regional, taking place Oct. 9-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Coverage is being provided by www.icenetwork.com.

Single-session ticket prices for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships range from $12-$177 depending on the event and are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at (651) 989-5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.saintpaul2008.com

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held annually since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event. The 2008 competition will take place Jan. 20-27, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and be nationally televised live on NBC. Over the course of a week the event will crown 12 national champions in ladies, men's, pairs and ice dancing on the senior, junior and novice levels. The seven-day event is expected to draw over 125,000 fans and have an economic impact in excess of $30 million.

Additionally, all-event and championship weekend ticket packages for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are on sale now at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at (651) 989-5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket information, call (651) 312-3486. All-event ticket packages start at $295.

Riedell Skate Company And Greater Twin Cities United Way To Support 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

ST. PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The local organizing committee (LOC) for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships is proud to announce Riedell Skate Company of Red Wing, Minn., as a silver-level local partner and Greater Twin Cities United Way as a community partner for U.S. Figure Skating's premiere event, which will be held at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., from Jan. 20-27.

In addition to being featured in local marketing and promotional efforts, both organizations plan to uniquely activate their partnerships. Riedell will provide 100 pairs of skates for rental at the outdoor Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink, which opens Nov. 24 in downtown St. Paul, and Greater Twin Cities United Way will be featured on the volunteer uniforms for the Championships. Additionally, each partner will be prominently positioned at the competition venue and incorporated into special events and appearances.

"United Way is excited to be involved in such a unique partnership," stated Lauren Segal, CEO and president of Greater Twin Cities United Way. Segal continues, "It's a great way to encourage community involvement."

Local corporate support for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships has been strong. The list of major local partners also includes Wells Fargo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Green Giant, HealthPartners, Mall of America, and Tom Collin's "Champions On Ice."

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held annually since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event. The 2008 competition will take place Jan., 20-27, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and be nationally televised live on NBC. Over the course of a week the event will crown 12 national champions in ladies, men's, pairs and ice dancing on the senior, junior and novice levels. The seven-day event is expected to draw over 125,000 fans and have an economic impact in excess of $30 million.

Single-session tickets for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships go on sale Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at (651) 989-5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket information, call (651) 312-3486. Additionally, a limited number of all-event and championship weekend ticket packages are still available.

About Riedell Skate Company
Riedell Skate Company (www.riedellskates.com) was founded in Red Wing, Minnesota, more than 60 years ago. Since the beginning, Riedell has been committed to developing the finest skating products in the world for competitive, recreational and beginning skaters. As the leading figure skate designer and manufacturer, Riedell understands the unique needs of skaters—from champions to the Sunday afternoon enthusiast. Riedell provides customers with the single source for the finest boots and blades in the world through a network of authorized dealers who are specially trained in the art of fitting skates. Through Riedell/HD Sports North America, the company is the exclusive distributor of John Wilson and Mitchel & King (MK) skate blades in North America.

About Greater Twin Cities United Way
Greater Twin Cities United Way improves lives and builds a stronger community by bringing together hearts, minds and resources from across the region and by developing effective partnerships with businesses, government and nonprofit organizations. Greater Twin Cities United Way is an independent organization serving Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington counties. For more information, visit www.unitedwaytwincities.org or call (612) 340-7400.

About 2008 St. Paul Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Officials from the Twin City Figure Skating Association (TCFSA), the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitor's Authority, and Xcel Energy Center comprise the local organizing committee for the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Paul. Collectively the group has executed a multitude of high-profile sporting events including the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 1998 World Figure Skating Championships, 2002 NCAA Frozen Four, 2003 and 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2004 NHL All Star Weekend, 2004 and 2005 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic, and 2006 Visa Gymnastics Championships.

About U.S. Figure Skating
U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 1,450 member clubs and Basic Skills programs representing nearly 200,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States, including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

Riedell Skate Company Goes Hollywood

Local figure skate manufacturer outfits cast of comedy, Blades of Glory

RED WING, MINN. (March 27, 2007) – For the upcoming film, Blades of Glory, Dream Works Pictures turned to Red Wing, Minn.-based Riedell Skate Co to supply the cast with both figure skates and merchandise, many of whom had no previous figure skating experience. Co-starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, Blades of Glory chronicles the story of two rival Olympic ice skaters who find a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pair's team.

The film opens March 30 and features figure skating boots, blades and accessories from Riedell. Many prominent past and present figure skaters have cameos in the film, including Peggy Fleming, Sasha Cohen, Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton.

 "Riedell Skates is proud that the figure skate choice for champions is also the choice for celebrities,"said Bob Riegelman, President of Riedell Skates. "We are thrilled to continue our ‘big screen'legacy with Blades of Glory." 

Riedell also lit up the silver screen in 2000 playing a prominent role in the survival of Tom Hanks'character in Castaway. On the small screen, in 2006 Riedell outfitted contestants of the FOX reality show, Skating with Celebrities.

Riedell has long been the choice of the world's greatest skaters including four-time world champion, Kurt Browning and three-time U.S. National champion Johnny Weir. Interestingly, Heder's character's peacock costume is modeled on Johnny Weir's The Swan costume from the 2005-2006 season, complete with glove.

Celebrities Skate with Riedells

New FOX hit reality show features Riedell-wearing celebrities paired with professionals

RED WING, MINN. (January 27, 2006) – With only six weeks to get six celebrities ready to compete with skating pros, FOX turned to Riedell Skate Co. to outfit the contestants for its new reality show, Skating with Celebrities. Riedell’s skates help the celebrities shine in primetime, giving them the edge they needed to skate with panache.

The show is off to a fast start as nearly 18 million people tuned in to see how the novice celebrity skaters would fare. Skating with Celebrities is a competition in which six celebrities pair with six professional skaters to compete against each other with an elimination of one team per week. The celebrity skaters are: Deborah Gibson, Todd Bridges, Jillian Barberie, Bruce Jenner, Dave Coulier, and Kristy Swanson. They are teamed with Kurt Browning, Jenni Meno, John Zimmerman, Tai Babilonia, Nancy Kerrigan and Lloyd Eisler respectively. The show airs Mondays at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time on FOX.

Riedell has long been the choice of the world’s greatest skaters including the show’s featured professional and four-time world champion, Kurt Browning. Three-time defending U.S. champion Johnny Weir also is outfitted with Riedells. Riedell also lit up the silver screen in 2000 playing a prominent role in the survival of Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway. In 1997, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar wore Riedell skates in ice skating-themed episodes.

About Riedell Skates
Riedell Skate Company (www.riedellskates.com) was founded in Red Wing, Minn. For 60 years, Riedell has been committed to developing the finest skating products in the world for competitive, recreational and beginning skaters. As the world leader in figure skates, Riedell has come to know and understand the unique needs of skaters. Riedell/HD Sports North America is the exclusive distributor for John Wilson and Mitchel & King (MK) skate blades throughout North America. Riedell provides customers with the single source for the finest boots and blades in the world through a network of authorized dealers who are specially trained in the art of fitting skates.

Riedell Introduces New Soft Series 850 Rental Skate

Sleek rental figure skate combines comfort and durability

RED WING, MINN. (March 31, 2004) – Riedell has redefined the rental figure skate with the introduction of the 850 Soft Series. The sleek new figure skate offers unparalleled durability for rink managers and lasting comfort for skaters.

A New Level of Comfort
The combination of longevity and fit sets the 850 Soft Series apart from other rental skates. Its comfort features include soft mesh nylon uppers and non-woven manmade linings. The 850 also features padded sock-liners and deluxe 3/8” thick ankle padding for unmatched fit and feel.

“In the past, most rental skates were designed for durability, but would sacrifice comfort,” said Bob Riegelman, president, Riedell Skate Company. “The 850 Soft Series offers both, making it the most dynamic rental skate on the market. It’s a win-win situation for rink managers and their customers.”

Built to Last
The 850 Soft Series is equipped to handle the rigors of daily rental use. With multi-layer wrap construction reinforcement, a sturdy one-piece PVC outsole and heel and heavy-duty steel eyelets and lacing hooks, the skate is built to last. And with its chrome plated carbon steel blades, the daily wear and tear to the blades is minimized.

“With the 850 Soft Series, rink managers have a new profit building tool for their rinks,” adds Riegelman. “By providing a sleek, comfortable figure skate for their customers, rink managers are sure to increase each skater’s enjoyment on the ice.”

The new 850 Soft Series, available in June 2004, will be offered in full sizes. In addition to the new 850 Soft Series, Riedell offers a full line of rental skate options including the 50 Series, 60 Series and Hockey Series.