See the Best at their Best In Ottawa at the Sears Figure Skating Open

TORONTO, Oct. 17 /CNW/ - Four time World Champion, Kurt Browning, three-time World Champion and two-time Olympic Silver Medallist, Elvis Stojko, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion, Brian Orser. Three generations of Canada's best male figure skaters will compete at the 2001 Sears Figure Skating Open in Ottawa November 30 and December 1.

"This event is one we look forward to every year -- after all the travelling in all the cities around the world, it's just great to come home, and to be out there with your peers," says Browning. "It kind of humbles you to be performing in front of fellow Canadians, and at the same time you feel a great sense of pride in being part of what brings Canadian culture to the world."

The Canadian men will also have to fend off challenges from 1996 World Champion Todd Eldredge and nine-time British Champion Steven Cousins.

Set to take place on Friday, November 30 and Saturday December 1, at Ottawa Civic Centre, the event also features four-time Canadian Champion Jennifer Robinson, 1998 Sears Figure Skating Open Champion Nicole Bobek and three-time World Silver Medallist and five-time European Champion Surya Bonaly.

The pairs competition will prove to be equally exciting as Ina & Zimmerman (U.S.) and Kazakova and Dmitriev (Russia) vie for the Championship title. Additional Canadian and International skaters will be named to the event in the coming weeks.

The two-day event will host some of the world's best amateur and professional skaters going head to head for more than $400,000 in prize money. The event will be divided into two sessions starting with the technical programs on Friday and the interpretive programs on Saturday. The competition begins at 7:00 p.m. both evenings.

"We are delighted to once again be a sponsor of this great event", said Mark Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Sears Canada. "We are so very proud for our fourth year in a row, to be associated with such a wonderfully graceful sport and highly respected athletes."

"It brings us great pleasure to offer figure skating fans, many of which are Sears customers, added value for two evenings full of exciting entertainment for the whole family."

Formerly known as the Canadian Professional Figure Skating Championship, this will be the 8th year of the event, and is the only "Open" figure skating competition held in Canada.

The rules and judging will be under the auspices of the International Skating Union (ISU), the international governing body for figure skating. The Sears Figure Skating Open is sanctioned by Skate Canada.

The event is proud of its association with Sears Canada and Walt Disney Attractions.