The SMG-managed Albuquerque Convention Center will be the venue for the Indoor Speed Skating and Indoor Figure Skating National Championship events for three weeks beginning July 13 – August 4, 2013 and July 19 – August 9, 2015. The Convention Center East Exhibit Hall will be transformed into the skating competition area. This non-traditional sporting event space has also been transformed into a bowling center for the US Bowling Congress and an indoor track for the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships along with a number of other track meets.
Based on event history, each of these USA Roller Sports national competitions is expected to draw approximately 8,500 competitive athletes, families and coaches generating 17,150 hotel room nights, which is estimated to produce nearly $9.7 million in direct spending for Albuquerque in 2013 and again in 2015.
The 2013 and 2015 National Championships are being brought to Albuquerque through a partnership with the Visit Albuquerque, the New Mexico Tourism Department, the City of Albuquerque, the SMG-managed Albuquerque Convention Center, and area hotels and facilities.
USA Roller Sports events will include inline speed skating events and roller figure skating competitions during the summer nationals. The first week of the three-week event features speed skating championships and the second and third weeks include figure skating events. Competition divisions range from youth through masters level competitors in their 70s.
Speed Skating
USARS speed skating is a non-contact sport, requiring skaters to display their skills to maneuver cleanly through the pack and into winning position. Skaters are disqualified for pushing, blocking, forcing another racer out of position, or using their arms, legs, or hands in any way that impedes the progress of other competitors.
Speed skating, like other organized sports, requires skaters to be disciplined as they train and compete in an effort to attain peak performance. Skaters learn the importance of teamwork, of being persistent and organized, and of setting and reaching goals. Speed skaters also learn to value good sportsmanship. Although the sport is at home in a variety of locales, the two basic divisions are for indoor and outdoor events.
Roller Figure Skating
The breadth of roller figure skating is reflected in the diversity of its members. Skaters of all ages can take an active part in the sport, finding any number of challenges to inspire them to reach their individual goals - from a beginner class to world-class championship competition. This diversity, both in appeal and participants, has made roller figure skating the largest division of competitive roller skating in the United States. Skaters enter events in one or more categories - Singles, Pairs, Figures, Solo Dance, Team Dance, Precision, or Show skating.
The first national competition was hosted by Detroit in 1937 and the 2011 event was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Albuquerque beat out Frisco, Texas and Tacoma, Washington to secure the bid.
USA Roller Sports is recognized by the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the National Governing Body of Competitive Roller Sports in the United States. For more information on USA Roller Sports, visit http://usarollersports.org/.