Armenian figure skaters left for the U.S. to prepare for rating competitions in Germany

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian figure skaters Gegham Vardanyan and Ani Vardanyan with manager of the Armenia's national team of figure skating Armen Asoyan left for Los Angeles, U.S. on June 2. They will be coached by Rafael Haroutiunian, trainer of the fivefold world champion Michelle Kwan by June 24.



Gegham and Ani will be preparing for the international rating competition to be held in the German Oberstdorf between September 24 and 30. To receive a right to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Wangoover Armenian figure skaters must be among first six in the rating competition.



According to Samvel Khachatryan, president of the Armenian Federation of Figure Skating, the federation is looking for additional resources to prolong the stay of the Armenian sportsmen in the U.S. "The conditions in the U.S. to prepare for the international competitions are perfect. Our figure skaters will be trained at the "Bears' forest" skating-rink, which is one of the best rinks in the United States," he said. Until now, all expenses related to the travel and training of Armenian figure skaters in the U.S. were covered by National Olympic Committee and its president Gagik Tsarukyan.