Olympic Skater to Hold 'Ice Champions LIVE!' in Laurel

McLean resident Michael Weiss, a three-time U.S. National Figure Skating champion and two-time Olympian will host the 10th Anniversary Michael Weiss Foundation “Ice Champions LIVE!” at The Gardens Ice House on Sunday, at 4 pm.

He’ll be bringing some of the brightest stars of figure skating to the area for a great cause. Alongside the stars, several area skaters will also take to the ice, including: (1) the DC Edge Synchronized Skating team; (2) Next Ice Ageice dance squad; (3) US novice ice dance team Eliana Gropman (12) and Ian Somerville (13) from Montgomery County; and (5) Isadora Williams, 18, who became Brazil’s first female figure skater to compete in the Olympic Games, at Sochi. Gropman and Somerville finished second at the novice level in this year’s US Figure Skating Championships.

Weiss has traditionally ended the show with his signature back flip, always a big hit with the crowd. Last year, he was joined by Ryan Bradley, Richard Dornbush and Dan Hollander. This year, in an effort to set a Guinness Record for simultaneous back flips on ice, the same quartet will be joined by 19-year-old Australian skating champion Brendan Kerry.

Tickets are on sale at www.MichaelWeiss.org for the fundraiser, sponsored by Smuckers and Pandora.

International superstars expected to participate include 2014 Sochi Olympic U.S. medalist Ashley Wagner, Olympic champion and TV star Brian Boitano, National Champions Mirai Nagasu and Alissa Czisny, as well as Bel Air native Kimmie Meissner, former World and U.S. National Champion, Michael Weiss, Ryan Bradley, Adam Rippon and many other Olympic, World and U.S. National Champions (please see full list of skaters and watch for updates at www.MichaelWeiss.org).

The Michael Weiss Foundation is a non-profit organization offering scholarships to aspiring Olympians and currently is sponsoring 19 recipients. In addition to the ice show, there will be a silent auction featuring the skaters’ personal memorabilia. Monies raised by this silent auction will also has benefit the Michael Weiss Foundation.

The event will be held on Sunday at 4 pm, at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Md. Tickets are available at www.MichaelWeiss.org. Limited ice skating will be available. Ticket prices range from $30-$50 with VIP opportunities – meet and socialize with some of the biggest stars in skating with the VIP package. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to figure skating scholarships to be awarded later this year.

For tickets visit www.MichaelWeiss.org

PHOTO courtesy of Smuckers