ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- 2022 United States national figure skating champion Mariah Bell will be making a special appearance at the Empire State Plaza ice rink. The event is set from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 18.
The event features figure skating demonstrations at noon by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, Albany Figure Skating Club, and Saugerties Figure Skating Club, followed by a solo performance by Bell. After, she will stay on the ice for open skating with the public and then hold a rink-side meet-and-greet from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
At 25, Bell became the oldest skater in 95 years to capture the women’s title at the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Nashville. In October 2022, she announced her retirement from competitive figure skating.
“The OGS team is proud to continue the tradition of welcoming world-class figure skating champions to the Empire State Plaza ice rink who dazzle us with their performances and inspire the next generation of skaters to fulfill their dreams of successfully competing on the ice,” said New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy.
The Empire State Plaza ice rink has welcomed several skating champions over the years including Kimmie Meissner, Johnny Weir, Ryan Bradley, Sarah Hughes, Ekaterina Gordeeva, and Nancy Kerrigan. Winter at the Plaza event sponsors include I LOVE NY, Hannaford Supermarkets, and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.
It is free to skate at the Empire State Plaza ice rink and skate rentals are $5. Skate rentals are provided by Hannaford for free every Saturday.
