News Archive

December 30, 2003
Skater Returns To US & The Pettit

The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Facility, hosts a wide range of skaters, runners, walkers, coaches and visitors of all kinds every single day, both on and off the ice. One athlete who utilizes the Pettit to its fullest extent is Nanoha Sato. The10-year old figure skater, originally from Hokkaido, Japan, trains at the Pettit with the ultimate goal of one day reaching the Olympics. But for the past two months, Sato was not able to practice at the Pettit over even return to U.S. soil.

In early October, Sato left her new home in New Berlin, Wisconsin to return to her native Japan to compete in the Junior National Championships. After the competition ended, she planned to stay at home a few days longer and then fly back to the U.S. on her own as she has done previously. Since the U.S. has more to offer a young skater at Sato’s level, Sato was headed back to the Pettit to train with her two coaches, Sue Ervin and Maggie Nyland. Or so she thought.

Shortly before her scheduled return, Sato’s visa was denied. With heighten concerns after September 11th, Sato’s visa was deemed unacceptable and she was not allowed to return to the United States. With increased foreign screening since Sato’s last trip, she did not meet the necessary requirements to re-enter the U.S.

After several weeks of lobbying by the Japanese Embassy, Sato’s birthparents in Hokkaido, her legal guardians in New Berlin, and immigration attorneys galore, Sato was finally granted clearance to return to the United States. It was determined by U.S. officials that Sato was still a Japanese citizen and she was only living in the U.S. because of far greater resources to her ever-developing skating career. The U.S. officials were assured that one day Sato would return back to Japan upon completion of her figure skating training.

Sato is to return to the United States on Wednesday, December 31, 2003, and will head right to the Pettit Center to continue her figure skating regiment. The Pettit is very excited to welcome Nanoha Sato back, as are her many skating friends.

Contact: Rob Multerer
Director of Marketing
Pettit National Ice Center
414.266.0100, ext. 132
rmulterer@thepettit.com