Latest in Philly Sports - Winter

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Philadelphia, NHL Score Big with Winter Classic

USA Curling Nationals Sweeping Into Philadelphia

FIE Congress “Magnifique, splendido, grande”

U.S. Lacrosse Calls Philly Home Once More

A Record Year for Rock ‘n’ Roll

Philly Marathon in for Long Haul

U.S. Reaches Rugby League World Cup

U.S. Open Squash Championships a Smash

First-Ever Operation Gratitude Day Delivers

Philadelphia, NHL Score Big with Winter Classic

Flyers Take Annual Classic to New Level

A first for Philadelphia, two of the game’s fiercest rivals squared off in front of a crowd of nearly 47,000 at the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on January 2nd. The New York Rangers edged the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in the highly anticipated event, viewed by nearly 4 million fans nationwide.  

In addition to the main event, Citizens Bank Park hosted an alumni game featuring former stars of the Flyers and Rangers, including Flyer greats Bernie Parent, Dave Schultz, Eric Lindros and John LeClair.  The Adirondack Phantoms also beat the Hershey Bears 4-3 as part of Classic festivities.

"It was spectacular," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman remarked following the Classic. "We couldn't ask for any more from the event… and the entire reception of the city. The buzz throughout the city and the crowd was great.. This was a terrific event for us, and we are grateful to everybody who was involved, particularly and including the Flyers, Rangers, Phillies, and the City of Philadelphia."

For more information, go to www.nhl.com/winterclassic.

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USA Curling Nationals Sweeping into Philadelphia

One of the Winter Olympics' Most Popular Sports

One of the Winter Olympics' most unique and popular sports is coming to the Philadelphia region for the first time, Feb. 11-18, 2012, when the USA Curling National Championships will be held at IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Pennsylvania.

The National Championships are the most elite curling competition in the country, and the qualifying event for the World Championships and Olympics.

For tickets and more information, visit www.2012usacurlingnationals.com.

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FIE Congress “Magnifique, splendido, grande”

International Fencing Federation Meets in Philly to Rave Reviews

For the first time in its 98-year history, the FIE (Fédération Internationale d’Escrime) Congress was held in the United States when the group met in Philadelphia in December. The conference represented the only international sports federation hosting its annual meeting in the U.S. during 2011.

Philadelphia rolled out the red carpet to 233 delegates representing fencing from 127 countries, the largest turnout in Congress history. The weekend included a Welcome Reception at The Franklin Institute, and a Gala and USA vs. The World match at the National Constitution Center.

USA Fencing President Kalle Weeks shared this look back: "Reactions, in every language, from all of the delegates, were universally beyond positive: magnifique, splendido, grande."

The Congress was a joint partnership between the FIE, the United States Olympic Committee, USA Fencing and the Philadelphia Sports Congress.

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U.S. Lacrosse Calls Philly Home Once More

National Convention returns for 3 years

On January 13-15, US Lacrosse will return to Philadelphia to begin a three-year stint to host their annual convention at the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center.The convention is no stranger to the City of Brotherly Love, having been held in Philadelphia from 1999-2002 and 2004-2008. Future dates include January 11-13, 2013; and January 10-12, 2014.

“We look forward to bringing this growing event back to Philadelphia for the next three years,” said Beth Porreca, US Lacrosse’s director of special events. “Philadelphia is an accessible city for travel and the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a state-of-the-art host venue. We know our convention goers will be pleased with the city, the Convention Center and the hotel accommodations.”

“Philadelphia is thrilled to welcome back US Lacrosse to an expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center for three years,” said Jack Ferguson, president & CEO, PCVB. “We are grateful for US Lacrosse’s continued confidence in Philadelphia as a convention destination.”

The convention is projected to welcome 5,000 coaches, officials, program administrators and exhibitors each year, according to the PCVB.

For more information, visit www.uslacrosse.org/2012convention.

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A Record Year for Rock ‘n’ Roll

Half Marathon numbers at an all-time high

History was made at the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. Out of a record field of 20,866 entrants, Mathew Kisorio defended his title, finishing in 58:46 and achieving the 4th-fastest time in history. On the women’s side, Kim Smith shattered the previous U.S. best, finishing in 1:07:11. Philadelphia resident and former Villanova all-American Bobby Curtis was the first U.S. finisher, placing ninth in 1:01:53. Marking his first half-marathon, Curtis became the second-fastest American half-marathoner for the year.

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Philadelphia Marathon in for the Long Haul

Race celebrates its 18th year

The Philadelphia Marathon continued its successful run in the City of Brotherly Love, as the annual race returned for its 18th year in November. Consistently ranked among the top ten marathons in the country, the course is famous for its beautiful scenery and unique historical backdrops. Beginning at the famed steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, more than 27,000 runners found their way past landmarks such as Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House and throughout beautiful Fairmount Park.

Sixty thousand spectators turned out to witness yet another spectacular year of marathon action. Mariska Kramer of the Netherlands solidified a repeat victory in the women’s full marathon with a time of 2:35:46. Folisho Tuko of Ethiopia received top honors for the men’s full Marathon at 2:19:10.

For more information, visit http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/.

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U.S. reaches Rugby League World Cup

USA Tomahawks rout Jamaica and South Africa at nearby Campbell’s Field to advance to first-ever World Cup

The United States is heading to the Rugby League World Cup for the first time in Rugby League history. The USA Tomahawks beat the Jamaica Rugby League, 40-4, at Campbell's Field in Camden in October to win the Atlantic qualifier and earn a berth in the 2013 World Cup tournament in England and Wales. The Tomahawks, ranked 15th in the world, also won 40-4 over South Africa earlier in the qualifying tournament.

Before the first game, the US and South African teams were welcomed by Philadelphia City Council and issued a proclamation to mark the event being held in the region.

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U.S. Open Squash Championships a Smash

Philadelphia serves up an ace as world’s best gather at Drexel University

In October, the world’s top players gathered at the Daskalakis Center (DAC) on the campus of Drexel University to compete for $175,000 in prize money at the 2011 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships.

In an upset victory, third-seed Amr Shabana of Egypt stunned world #1 and top seed Nick Matthew of England to take home the top prize in front of a sellout crowd at the DAC. In the women’s category, fifth-seeded Laura Massaro of England shook off a first game loss to dominate the rest of the way, stopping Australian Kasey Brown in four games to take home the women’s crown.

The Championships return to Philadelphia and Drexel again in October 2012. For a look at the 2011 event, click here.

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First-Ever Operation Gratitude Day Delivers

Philadelphians shows true colors in support of our troops

Even without the Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia in 2011 (it returns in 2012 and 2013), the Sports Congress and our regional partners took the opportunity to honor the brave men and women of our military. On December 9, area residents were asked to donate items for care packages to be sent to troops overseas during the first-ever Operation Gratitude Day, presented by AT&T, Lincoln Financial Group and Lockheed Martin.

With service personnel and volunteers on location at 11 different collection stations, a tremendous turnout delivered more than 1,400 pounds of items, all of which have been shipped to California-based Operation Gratitude and delivered to troops serving in Afghanistan. Thanks to all of our supporters, and most importantly, to those who will be receiving the packages.

For more information on Operation Gratitude, visit www.operationgratitude.com

Also, click on the following link for a recent story about Operation Gratitude which aired on CBS’s Sunday Morning. Operation Gratitude: Gifts for heroes far from home - CBS News Video.

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