Figure skaters from the St. Joseph area are taking part in the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championship.

The championships started Saturday, January 14 and run through Sunday, January 22 at both the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City and the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence.

More than 30 members of the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club will participate in events associated with nationals, including opening ceremonies and the Smucker’s Skating Spectacular that airs on NBC.

Debbie Cole, skating director in St. Joseph, is assisting with coaching and choreography for the local participants at nationals. This is the first time since 1985 that U.S. nationals have been held in Kansas City.

“It’s inspiring,” Cole said. “You watch them live and it sort of makes it real. It raises the skating level just because these national skaters are in town.”

Six SJFSC skaters participated in opening ceremonies, four will serve as “sweepers” clearing the ice after a performance and three will act as awards presenters.

A total of 22 skaters from the St. Joseph club will participate in the Smucker’s Skating Spectacular, which serves as an exhibition for newly crowed national champions. In addition, St. Joseph’s Griffon Gliders Gold synchronized skating team will perform at the Smucker’s Skating Spectacular.

NBC is scheduled to provide live coverage on January 19, 20, 21 and 22, including the Smucker’s Skating Spectacular at 7 p.m. January 22.

St. Joseph native Ryan Bradley, a U.S. national skating champion in 2011, will serve as honorary co-chairman of the 2017 U.S. championships.