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Mike
to unveil short program
Program will introduce judging system
Three-time United States Men’s Champion and Two-time
Olympian Michael Weiss will exhibit his 2004/2005 short program
for the first time this year on Friday, July 16th at the Third
Annual Liberty Summer Competition at the Pond Ice Arena in
Newark, Delaware. The competition will introduce the International
Skating Union’s newly created scoring system, developed
after the controversy of the 2002 Olympic Games. This new
system will ultimately replace the famed 6.0 score and is
based on points for jumps, spins, footwork and artistic elements.
Weiss, currently ranked third in the world by the ISU, is
looking forward to the upcoming competitive season. “I’ve
been in the sport for a long time but there is always something
new to learn. I can’t remember when I’ve worked
harder during an off-season and I am approaching this year
with a lot of confidence,” said Weiss from his Washington,
D.C. area home.
The Liberty Summer Competition will also feature an autograph
signing by Weiss, with all proceeds to benefit the non-profit
Michael Weiss Foundation, created to provide young Olympic-hopefuls
from the United States who show a commitment to their education
with financial support to assist in all facets of training
and competition. Along with Nicolas Castaneda from Wachovia
Securities, Weiss will also be presenting the first “Wachovia
Securities Diamond Performance Award” and a financial
grant in the amount of $500.00 to the intermediate man or
woman who best exemplifies the spirit of the Foundation.
“I know when I was an up and coming skater, being recognized
with financial support had a huge affect on my career,”
said Weiss about his Foundation. “It has always been
a dream of mine to help inspire and support the next generation
of American skaters that same way and we are looking forward
to continuing to grow the Foundation for many years.”
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
Michael will hold his benefit autograph signing at the Arena
on July 16th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST) to be followed
by his short program at 4:45 p.m. The Michael Weiss Foundation
award ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Arena.
For additional information on Michael Weiss and the Foundation,
please go to www.michaelweiss.org.
Additional information on the Liberty Summer Competition
can be found at www.LibertySkating.com.
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