Star Power! HSBC Stars On Ice

TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - Canada's premier ice show, HSBC Stars On Ice, launches in Halifax on April 16, 2003 and will bring together the very best skaters in the world. Making their debut will be 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier. In addition to winning an Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City, Sale & Pelletier won the hearts of millions around the world in what was one of the most unforgettable moments in Olympic history. Part of that history will extend itself to HSBC Stars on Ice when Sale & Pelletier are joined on the ice by 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze. Tickets go on sale nationally Saturday November 30, 2002, (in Edmonton Friday November 29th), in time for the holiday season.

"We are thrilled to be skating in the best-produced tour in North America", said Sale. "Stars On Ice offers us the ability to best express ourselves creatively with the total package of great choreography, wonderful ensemble numbers and world class lighting, staging and costumes", said Pelletier.

Stars On Ice is proud to welcome HSBC Bank Canada, 'The world's local bank' to the tour as title sponsor. It is fitting that 'The world's local bank' joins the world's best skaters to deliver this truly unique entertainment property to local skating fans from coast to coast - A Perfect Fit!

"HSBC Bank Canada is proud to be the new title sponsor of the HSBC Stars On Ice 11-city Canadian tour", said Erik Sande, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, HSBC Bank Canada. "With more than 160 offices across Canada and an international network of over 7000 offices, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations. As 'The world's local bank', HSBC is happy that our title sponsorship will enable Canadians to enjoy performances by some of the very best figure skaters from Canada and around the world."

Returning to HSBC Stars On Ice and set to charm audiences across Canada are fan favourites, four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion Alexei Yagudin, and two-time Olympic Bronze Medallists Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler.

"HSBC Stars On Ice has always been about entertainment," said Kurt Browning, who has been part of the Canadian tour since it began. "Fans never know what to expect, but they know they will leave the show with a smile."

The impressive cast of World and Olympic skating champions will also include World Champion and six-time U.S. National Champion Todd Eldredge, eight-time British Champion, Steven Cousins and five-time Canadian Champion Jennifer Robinson. Additional skaters will be named to the show in the coming weeks.

HSBC Stars On Ice is also proud to welcome the following sponsors to the 2003 production: Melitta Canada, Wampole, Lipton, Carlson Wagonlit and PharmAssist (IDA and Guardian Pharmacies).

With an elite production team headed by acclaimed show producer/director and choreographer Sandra Bezic, and musical selections ranging from Leonard Cohen to Bon Jovi and Tony Bennett to Will Smith, this edition of HSBC Stars On Ice will explore themes of power - athletic power, star power and the power of a dream.

Tickets go on sale Saturday November 30, 2002, (in Edmonton on November 29th), just in time for the holiday season. The perfect gift for the figure skating fan in your life!