ISU Junior Grand Prix
Ice Sheffield
October 15th - 18th 2008
Great Britain is proud to have been a founding member of the ISU and to have participated in all ISU Championships since the very inception. Having been host of the 1950 World Championships in London, we have also hosted the 1989 European Championships and 1995 World Championships in Birmingham.
We would now like to take this opportunity to invite members of the ISU figure skating family to our Junior Grand Prix and to the great historic city of Sheffield. Not only is Sheffield renowned for the Sheffield steel, dating back to the reign of King Arthur, but it continues to provide the steel and manufacturing for the blades of many of the ISU World and Olympic Champions.
Sheffield has something special which is very much appreciated by the local community and it is now spreading its reputation worldwide. It is not just the great shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries, museums and theatres but also the fact that Sheffield can boast that it is the greenest, safest city in the UK. Over a third of the city lies within the boundary of the second most visited National Park in the world. Sheffield has always been a centre of creativity, be it science, music, high tech industry sports or the arts and has a fine heritage of cutlery and steel making.
Sheffield has been the home of John Wilson skates, one of the most recognised names in the world of ice skating for more than 300 years. The reputation of John Wilson group was made in 1849 when Queen Victoria instructed the company to make her and Prince Albert a pair of ice skates. Today John Wilson skates continue to be the premier blade choice for the World Elite Figure Skaters.
Sheffield is ideal for skaters and their families as you will never be far away from one of 200 parks, woodlands or gardens and the city centre is actually less than 5 miles from the Peak District. There is so much to do in Sheffield, from enjoying the fantastic food in our numerous cosmopolitan restaurants or relaxing in an array of cafes and bistros to electrifying entertainment, exciting events and the astounding attractions which are bound to get you hooked. The city centre buzzes with theatres, cinemas, and shops. Attractions outside the centre are usually reached by bus, tram and train or alternatively walking is an ideal way to explore the suburbs and their many green spaces.
Sheffield was one of the first cities in the UK to introduce the super tram system. The tram provides clean, green access to not only the city centre but also the shops and the many sporting venues including the iceSheffield arena.
