At the X Games, first place in the vertical skating event will be $50,000, second place $16,000 and 10th place $2,000.

But administrators at Villanova University say that their alcohol-free skating events and game nights have been well attended.

In practice on the day before the free skating event, Button landed one in practice for the first time.

At the 1980 Winter Olympics, she won the free skating event and placed fourth overall.

Since then, however, Pier 62 has become the site of two roller rinks, an in-line skating course, and often boisterous skating events.

The ice hockey games, as well as the other skating events and opening and closing ceremonies from the 1956 Winter Olympics were held at this arena.

There is something companionable about noncompetitive skating events.

And a Blade-athon, an in-line skating event through lower Manhattan, has been tentatively scheduled for 11 A.M. on Oct. 20.

Karen also represented the United States at numerous international skating events, and won the bronze medal at the 1996 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.

The five-year, $200,000 pact, which includes an additional five-year, $250,000 option, will officially begin with a public skating event in April 2008.