May 1, 2000 11:29 PM AP

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Colorado Springs will be the site of Skate America again this year.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association said Monday it will return the premier international event on the American schedule to the World Arena in Colorado Springs on Oct. 26-29.

Last October, Colorado Springs was the host of Skate America '99, in which world champions Michelle Kwan and Alexei Yagudin were winners. More than 19,000 fans attended the two days of skating in the opener of the Grand Prix series.

"We are very pleased that Skate America will again be in Colorado Springs this year," said John LeFevre, USFSA executive director. "Skate America is the traditional start of each new season and we look forward to another exciting and successful competition by the top figure skaters in the world."

The USFSA's headquarters are in Colorado Springs.

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