Most notable of these stars is reigning Olympic and world champion Kim Yu-na, who will be looking to add title number six when proceedings get underway next week.

The South Korea prodigy is one of the most famous figures in the country and has dominated the sport since her rise to prominence as a novice in 2002.

She won her first senior Korean Championships in 2003 at the tender age of 12 and went on to take the title on the next three occasions.

Kim is hoping to become the first figure skater to defend the Olympic title since 1988 when she competes in Sochi next year ©Getty Images



She returns next year to defend the title she won again earlier this year with it likely to be her final major competition on home soil following her announcement that she will retire after the Winter Games in Sochi next February.

The 23-year-old was weighing up whether to compete again before the Games - where she hopes to become the first figure skater to defend the title since 1988, when Katarina Witt won the second of her back-to-back gold medals - but felt an extra event would help her preparations after a foot injury in September caused her to miss two Grand Prix events earlier in the year.

Those who were unable to buy tickets on Friday will have another opportunity to on Monday (December 30) when the final 800 tickets go on sale.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2013: I'm "greedy" for the ISU figure skating world title, admits Kim Yu-Na
February 2013: Kim and Kwan put on memorable show as Special Olympics close in Pyeongchang
July 2012: Champion Kim Yu-Na to hang up skates after Sochi 2014
January 2012: Kim honoured for role in success of Pyeongchang 2018 as President Lee promises "unflagging support"
July 2011: Kim Yu-Na greeted in Durban by Pyeongchang Dream Programme graduate