Olympic figure skating duo to take the ice at Empire State Plaza

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two U.S. Olympians will take the ice in Albany's Empire State Plaza for Valentine's Day weekend. Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker will make their appearance on Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the Winter at the Plaza Valentine's Day celebration.

Hawayek and Baker competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The duo also won the bronze medal four consecutive times at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from 2019 through 2022.

Hawayek and Baker will begin the Feb. 16 event at 1 p.m. with a skating demonstration. After, the two will stay on the ice for an open skating session with the public before holding a meet-and-greet with fans from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This is not the first time that the Empire State Plaza has hosted internationally acclaimed figure skaters and ice dancers. The rink has previously welcomed national skating champions and Olympians like Johnny Weir, Mariah Bell and Sarah Hughes.

"Continuing the tradition of having world-class figure skaters visit the Empire State Plaza to inspire young skaters, we are excited to welcome Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker to our rink,” New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. 

The skating event will be hosted as part of the Winter at the Plaza Valentine's Day weekend celebration, which kicks off on Feb. 14. On Valentine's Day, the plaza will offer free chocolate and flower giveaways from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The plaza will host a variety of Valentine's Day-themed activities on Feb. 15, including a contest for best-dressed couple.

The Empire State Plaza Ice Rink is open from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The rink closes for maintenance between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holiday breaks.

Visitors can skate for free. Skate rentals cost $5 every day, excluding Saturdays when they are free for Hannaford Free Skate Rental Saturday.