Hundreds of teams practice for skating competition in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita is expecting a large economic impact from a big event this week.

The U.S. Figure Skating Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships are in town. Intrust Bank Arena is preparing for more than 1,000 skaters, 127 teams and more than 350 coaches for the competition.

The competition starts on Jan. 25, but teams started practicing Tuesday. One skater from Chicago is on Teams Elite, and she says she’s excited but nervous to compete with her team. It’s made up of fourth to eighth graders.

“It feels very nerve-racking but I feel very prepared because our coaches are really good at preparing us and we’ve been having a lot of practices and our past competitions have gone very well,” skater Mia Bella Allegra said.

Visit Wichita estimates the event will bring in more than $2.5 million to the city.