LYON, FRANCE

January 11th-13th 2013

     Dear friends and passionate skating enthusiasts,

   For the next three days, the city of Lyon will become the international capital of Ice Dance for novice, junior and senior categories, thanks to the International Trophy of Lyon.

   More than 40 couples coming from the four corners of Europe will participate in this gathering, which is included as part of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) 2013 calendar.  This competition is a unique opportunity to build on Lyon’s reputation as a world-class skating center.

   I extend my most sincere gratitude to the Honourable Gerard COLLOMB, Mayor of Lyon, for the support and the confidence he has offered to the FFSG.  I also warmly thank Mr. Pascal GIRARDOT, President of Lyon Glace Patinage and member of the Commission Sportive Nationale de Danse sur Glace (CSNDG), and his dedicated team of volunteers who bring continuous progress to this competition.

   Success never involves one sole party: it is the result of cooperation and collaboration.  For this reason, thanks must be given to the institutions and private partners who, through their contributions have made this event possible.  In this regard, Mr. Ottavio CINQUANTA, President of the International Skating Union (ISU) shares our pleasure in including this remarkable competition on the international calendar.

   I am confident that the International Trophy of Lyon in the beautiful facilities of Charlemagne Ice Rink, will prove to be a sporting event of great quality.  Passion, solidarity and the pleasure to achieve one’s very best will be the values applied to this competition.

   I wish much success to all the skaters and their entourages, and to the arbitration officials and technicians for whom we know the complexity of their task.

   Finally, I will take this opportunity to express my hopes for this event to be truly successful in terms of sport, popularity and media coverage, thus reflecting the new federal ambitions.

    Didier GAILHAGUET
    President of FFSG