Once upon time (1923 to 1971) there was a North American Championships contested between Canada and the United States. Dick Button (USA) and Barbara Ann Scott (CAN) enjoy the distinction of being the only skaters simultaneousy to hold the titles North American champion, European champeon, world champion and Olympic champion (1947-48. The next year the ISU disallowed non-Europeans from competing in "Europeans.")
Ah. I had heard that about Dick Button before, but I didn't realise that Barbara Ann Scott had done it as well.
The North American Chamnpionships were discontinued after 1971 amid charges on both sides that the judges always favored the country (USA or Canada) where the competition was held that year -- although if you look at the year-by-year list of winners and medallists, it is hard to see any evidence that this was the case. The real reason seems to be that Canada was in the process of preparing its own go-it-alone approach featuring their showpiece competion, Skate Canada International. The United States countered a few years later with Skate America.
To be honest, I can understand why Canada would do that (and why America would follow suit). Whilst having a duel between neighbours / traditional rivals can be exciting at first, people can lose interest after it has been going a while. (Mind you, the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race is still going strong after more than 165 years.) And, as seems to be the case here, how people perceive it, whether that perception is correct or not, can affect it's popularity.
I can imagine there would be a wider range of people interested in an open competition than there would be in a duel. And, hence, it would be more profitable for the organisers.
Of course, back then there were only two countries in the Americas where skaters came from. (Were there ever any skaters that represented Newfoundland before it joined Canada? That is, in any event). But a lot of other countries in the Americas now have figure skaters. So, a Pan-American Championships may be viable nowadays. Of course, it would still be American and Canadian skaters that dominate the top of the results tables. But, having a Major Championship relatively close to home (and in a similar time zone!) every year would probably generate more interest amongst people from those Small Fed countries, both at home and in ex-pat communities in America and Canada, than 4 Continents currently does.
Unfortunately, as we all know, it all boils down to the cost to hold it. And finding a space in an already jam-packed calendar. So, I can't see an extra Major appearing any time soon.
But, I can still dream!
CaroLiza_fan