With figure skating starlets Joanie Rochette and Cynthia Phaneuf on hand, Skate Canada made the announcement today Victoria will host the 2011 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals, Jan. 17-23 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

The junior nationals will run Jan. 17-20, the figure skating championships from Jan. 21-23.

"British Columbia has been a very special place for Canadian skaters these past several years. We are delighted to bring these two events here and to continue such a wonderful tradition of Canadian skating in Victoria," said William Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. "The various organizations within the city have come together to bid to host this event, and we know that the volunteers and fans will have a warm reception for the over 250 athletes who will compete here in 2011."

This will be the third time the city has hosted the senior event. It was held here in 1978 and 1988. Victoria was also the site of Skate Canada International in 1984, 1992 and 2006.

"Fans here will truly have the best of both worlds. They will see some of the top skaters in the world, including our Olympic Champions and world medalists compete," continued Thompson.

"And, as we begin the next quadrennial in our sport, people will also see a preview of the talented skaters who will go on to represent Canada on the world stage and at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games."

"I would like to thank Skate Canada for recognizing Victoria's reputation for being a great sport host and for awarding the city the 2011 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals," said B.C. Minister of Healthy Living and Sport. "We have the expertise, great facilities, community support and a very knowledgeable and sports-minded volunteer base to put on a first-class event and we can't wait to welcome Canada's best skaters back to Victoria."

"We are excited that Victoria, British Columbia's capital, has been chosen as the site for the 2011 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships," said Mike Suzuki, Vice-President, Vancouver Island District, BMO Bank of Montreal. "This is the 15th year BMO's been the title sponsor, and our 300 Vancouver Island employees are looking forward to welcoming skating fans from across the country," Mr. Suzuki added.

"Tourism Victoria and SportHost Victoria are thrilled that Victoria has been chosen to host the 2011 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and the 2011 BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals," said Helen Welch, Vice President, Marketing, Tourism Victoria. "We have strong record of hosting great events and this will be no exception! Major sporting events are a boon to our local economy and an event of this size will have a significant positive impact on the tourism industry."

All-event ticket packages for the events will go on sale in mid-June.

Approximately 260 skaters in the women's, men's, pair and ice dance disciplines will compete at the senior, junior and novice levels at the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and the BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals. Athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2011 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2011 and the 2011 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.