Taipei, Feb. 15 (CNA) Taiwanese fans will get a rare opportunity to witness top figure skaters perform live -- for free -- in the 2011 Four Continent Figure Skating Championships to be held in Taipei this week.
All the reigning world champions among a total of 93 skaters and couples from 16 countries will compete Feb. 17-20 at the Taipei Arena, in the event.
"The tournament, which has been hosted in China, South Korea and the United States in the past and is widely popular, is being held in Taiwan for the first time. And there will be free entry for spectators in order to promote winter sports in Taiwan, " said Rich Lee, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Skating Union (CTSU) , the event's local organizer, on Tuesday.
Local fans are guaranteed "a strong field and a very exciting competition at a high level, " said Selina Vanier, media coordinator of the International Skating Union (ISU) , the main organizer of the event.
When the lights go up on the opening night, most attention is expected to turn to popular Japanese skaters, including 2010 men's world champion Daisuke Takahashi, and a pair of compatriots -- Mao Asada and Miki Ando -- who are almost certain to have tense competition in the ladies event.
A contingent of more than 150 Japanese reporters, including more than 60 from Fuji Television alone, are among hundreds of foreign media who have arrived in Taiwan to cover the prestigious event, according to the CTSU.
Asada, the 2010 world champion, headlines the ladies field. Her challenge is expected to come from current Grand Prix Final champion Alissa Czisny of the United States, as well as from Japanese champion Ando and Japan's Akiko Suzuki.
Takahashi will face a stiff challenge from Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Takahiko Kozuka.
Chinese pair Qing Pang and Jian Tong, the 2010 world champions, are aiming for their fifth Four Continent title with competition coming from Canadian champions Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch.
World and Olympic champions Tessa Virtues and Scott Moir of Canada will make their season debut in the Ice Dance category, with world and Olympic silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S. expected to be their main competitors.
Three men and three women skaters will be representing Taiwan in the competition. (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J