Local organizers have something to flip over.

The field for Smart Ones Skate America was announced at a news conference Tuesday and the gold medalists in three of four events from the 2002 Olympics will be here for the October event.

Among the Salt Lake City celebrities signed on are ladies' gold medal winner Sarah Hughes of Great Neck, N.Y., men's gold medal winner Alexei Yagudin of Russia and the Russian pairs team of Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze -- best known for the judging controversy that led to sharing of the gold with Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.

Of the 64 skaters on board, who represent 15 countries, 25 competed in Salt Lake City.

"The competition is top-notch from start to finish in all disciplines," Bob Dunlop, USFSA director of media relations said.

Skate America, presented by the Davenport Hotel, will begin Oct. 24 and conclude Oct. 27 with the exhibition of champions. Competition includes men's, ladies and pairs figure skating and ice dancing.

The Davenport Hotel already is sold out for the event, local organizer Toby Steward of Star USA said. This will be the first time Skate America is held in the Pacific Northwest. The last four have been in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I can't emphasize enough, this is one of the strongest fields we have had in recent memory. Any time you have three of the four Olympic champions, it really raises the bar for all competitors," Dunlop said.

Along with the gold medalists, the field is loaded with skaters with long lists of accomplishments.

American Michael Weiss, winner of two World bronze medals and two U.S. championships, will compete. Weiss, who will celebrate his 26th birthday Friday, has skated in three Skate Americas, finishing as high as second in 1998. He is a two-time U.S. champions and two-time World bronze medal winner.

Weiss got his first look at the Arena Tuesday night at the Champions on Ice exhibition. Others who were here and will return in less than three months are Canadians Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz; and the American pairs team of Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev.

Bourne and Kraatz are the reigning Skate America champs and finished fourth in Salt Lake City.

Lang and Russian-born Tchernyshev are four-time U.S. dance champions. They arrived in town early enough Tuesday to attend the news conference.

"There's always so much pressure going into Skate America, but already we feel welcome," Lang said. "Skate America is the starting point of the season. Our goal is to make a statement."

Yagudin is a four-time world champ attempting to win his third Stake America. Hughes, who turned 17 in May, has won back-to-back silver medals at Skate America.

Among the missing from the Spokane lineup will be Americans Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen and bronze medalist Tim Goebel.

Skate America is one of six events on the Grand Prix circuit. Athletes are only allowed to compete in two events, and the skaters are assigned to events.

"You have to spread the wealth, so to speak," Dunlop said. "However, this list is tentative, although it is confirmed right now. We would like to see the opportunity to maybe add somebody."

The immensely popular Kwan, who is the reigning Skate America champion, has not declared what she is going to do for the upcoming season. She skated in the Champions on Ice Tuesday night at the Arena.

"She has a lot of options on the table," Dunlop said. "She could come back for a full season. She could come back for a reduced season. Or she could turn pro."