2012 SKAM program - US Figure Skating
Transcription
2012 SKAM program - US Figure Skating
Here’s to all the effort that goes into making it look effortless. AT&T I S A P R O U D S P O N S O R O F U. S. F I G U R E S K AT I N G . 1 . 8 6 6 . M O B I L I T Y – AT T. C O M – V I S I T A S T O R E Screen images simulated. ©2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. Service provided by AT&T Mobility. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Welcome to Washington! On behalf of U.S. Figure Skating, it is my pleasure to welcome you to 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America in Kent, Washington. The days ahead promise to be exciting, full of great skating and excellent competition. We would like to thank Production Sports and the ShoWare Center for their dedication to organizing this event. As the first of seven events in six countries of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Skate America welcomes more than 50 competitors from 13 countries gathering here to showcase their remarkable skills and talents. The top skaters at the conclusion of the series qualify for the Grand Prix Final, taking place December, 6-9, in Sochi, Russia, host of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Over the next three days, many of the top skaters in the world will compete for medals in ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing. These athletes have already accomplished so much to get here, and we wish them the very best. On behalf of the more than 173,000 members of U.S. Figure Skating, I would like to thank the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and fans for their continued involvement and support of the sport of figure skating. The stage is set for an exciting event! To all the skating fans, we hope you thoroughly enjoy this year’s competition. Sincerely, Patricia St. Peter President, U.S. Figure Skating October 2012 On behalf of Hilton HHonors™, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America competition. As an award-winning guest rewards program, Hilton HHonors does more than just help people travel - we help them transform points into experiences they can’t help but share in 91 countries worldwide. We hope you have many experiences worth sharing at this year’s exciting event. As a proud sponsor of U.S. Figure Skating, Hilton HHonors knows that giving it your all starts with a good night’s sleep. That’s why Hilton HHonors works to ensure that athletes always have the perfect place to stay, whether they’re already on the Road to Gold or just beginning their training. Because no matter the dream you are chasing, you deserve the perfect bed to dream in. With over 3,900 hotels and resorts within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, you can enjoy the flexibility of staying at any of our 10 distinct brands, including participating Waldorf Astoria®, Hotels & Resorts, Conrad®, Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites™, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hampton®, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Home2 Suites by Hilton®, and Hilton Grand Vacations®, So no matter where your journey takes you, Hilton Worldwide has destinations in 91 countries ready to cheer you on. While you are at the event we invite you to come dream with us. Visit our activation booth to receive a free gift, sign our dream wall, take a memorable photo, and learn about hotel discounts available for figure skating fans. For more info on all of our U.S. Figure Skating and Team USA™ initiatives, please visit HHonors.com/Dream. Best of luck to all the athletes competing. Thank you for joining us in Kent, Washington. We hope you enjoy what is sure to be a great competition! Jeffrey Diskin Senior Vice President, Hilton Worldwide Duvall Ave NE Renton Landing Clinic WELCOME SPECTATORS! U.S. Figure Skating welcomes you to 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash. For three days, some of the best athletes in the sport of figure skating will compete for ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dance titles. The 18th annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series includes six competitions held in October and November in the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Russia and France. Skaters are awarded points at the two events in which they compete. The top six point-earners in each discipline secure spots at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Sochi, Russia. 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America includes competitors from the United States, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Russia and Sweden. U.S. champion Ashley Wagner leads the ladies’ contingent at the event. She’ll face off against 2012 World silver medalist Alena Leonova of Russia and 2010 U.S. titlist Rachael Flatt. In the men’s event, Evan Lysacek is making his first appearance in ISU competition since his 2010 Olympic gold medal performance in Vancouver. Also expected to contend for medals are three-time U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott and 2012 World bronze medalist Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan. U.S. champions Caydee Denney and John Coughlin will go head-to-head against some of the best pairs teams in the world, including 2010 Olympic silver medalists Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China and two-time World silver medalists Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia. 2011 World champions and 2010 Olympic silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White are favored to win their third consecutive ice dance title for the U.S. at Skate America. They could face a stiff challenge from the standout Canadian team of Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje. U.S. Figure Skating and the ISU hope you enjoy the 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America and your visit to Kent. 4 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Skate America preview 6 Grand Prix assignments 8 Schedule and competitors 10 Kent/Seattle profile 14 Ben Agosto 16 Ladies profiles 21 Ladies scoring guide 24 Men’s profiles 29 Men’s scoring guide 32 Pairs profiles 37 Pairs scoring guide 38 Ice dancing profiles 43 Ice dancing scoring guide 44 About U.S. Figure Skating 46 Northwest skating success 50 Disson Skating 54 Skate America medalists 58 Seattle skating legacy 60 International judging system 66 ISU Grand Prix Series Home opener SUPERIOR FIELD SET TO PERFORM IN KENT By Troy Schwindt The push begins. With only 16 months left until the start of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, the top skaters from the United States and around the world are gearing up to turn some heads and build momentum. Their first chance comes this weekend at the 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America in Kent, Wash. The competition, Oct. 19–21, is the first of six ISU Grand Prix Series events that lead up to the Grand Prix Final in December in Sochi. One of those U.S. skaters hoping to once again make headlines is Evan Lysacek, who captured the 2010 Olympic title in Vancouver, Canada. Lysacek, who hails from Illinois and trains in California, has resumed training after a two-year layoff. Lysacek won his first of two consecutive U.S. titles in the Pacific Northwest when he turned in a magical performance at the 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash. His performance in Kent and comeback bid will be watched closely as the countdown to Sochi begins. Joining Lysacek in Kent will be all of the 2012 U.S. champions: Ashley Wagner, Jeremy Abbott, Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, and Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Rachael Flatt, the 2010 U.S. champion and 2010 Olympian, will make her fourth appearance at Skate America. She earned the silver medal at the event in 2009 and 2010. This all-star lineup, pitted against several of the world’s top skaters and teams, make Skate America one of the most exciting figure skating events of the season. The competition can be seen on icenetwork.com and live on NBC at 4 p.m. ET., Oct. 21. Flatt trains in California under Justin Dillon and Lynn Smith and attends Stanford University, where she’s pursuing a degree in the medical field. LADIES Christina Gao finished fifth at the last three U.S. Championships. A student at Harvard University, she trains in Boston under Mark Mitchell and Peter Johansson. Russia’s Alena Leonova, the 2012 World silver medalist, brings her explosive talents to Skate America for the first time. She is one of the sport’s rising stars, having placed ninth at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. No question about it, the men’s division will be the most hotly contested of the competition, with champions aplenty. Country mate Adelina Sotnikova, the sublimely flexible 2011 World Junior champion, is also exciting to watch and could figure in the medal chase. Lysacek, the Olympic titlist, leads this stellar field. He announced his return to competition in August at the London Games, with the intent of defending his crown in Sochi. U.S. champion Ashley Wagner is making her Skate America debut, having won five Grand Prix Series medals to date. He’s back training under legendary coach Frank Carroll in California. Wagner trains in California under legendary coach John Nicks. She won her first senior-level international event in February at the 2012 Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. MEN Lysacek owns one Skate America title from 2009, the same year he won the World title. He has also earned three silver medals and one bronze medal at Skate America. He’ll be challenged by three-time and Evan Lysacek Jeremy Abbott Ashley Wagner 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 5 reigning U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott. Abbott finished ninth at the 2010 Olympics. He trains in Detroit under Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen. The Czech Republic’s Michal Brezina is back to defend his Skate America title. He placed sixth at the 2012 World Championships. Japan’s Takahiko Kozuka, the 2008 Skate America titlist, is also in the elite field, along with country mates 2012 World bronze medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and Tatsuki Machida. Douglas Razzano returns for his second Skate America, having placed seventh in 2011. Razzano trains under Doug and Lara Ladret and Grant Rorvick in Arizona. PAIRS Powerhouse teams from Russia and China arrive as the teams to beat. Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov, silver medalists at the last two World Championships, won both of their Grand Prix Series events in 2011 and finished second at the Grand Prix Final. Both skaters have competed at the Olympics with other partners. lin and former partner Caitlin Yankowskas claimed the U.S. crown in 2011. Gretchen Donlan and Andrew Speroff have made steady gains as they enter their third season together. Fourth at the 2012 U.S. Championships, Donlan and Speroff will be competing at their first Grand Prix Series competition. Their Boston-area teammates, Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, will attempt to secure a medal in their fifth Grand Prix Series event of their careers. They narrowly missed winning some hardware at 2010 Skate Canada, where they placed fourth. SKATE AMERICA OCT. 19–21, KENT, WASH. Rachael Flatt Christina Gao Ashley Wagner Jeremy Abbott Evan Lysacek Douglas Razzano Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir Caydee Denney/John Coughlin Gretchen Donlan/Andrew Speroff Anastasia Cannuscio/Colin McManus Meryl Davis/Charlie White Lynn Kriengkrairut/ Logan Giulietti-Schmitt SKATE CANADA OCT. 26–28, WINDSOR, ONTARIO Gracie Gold Caroline Zhang Ross Miner Lindsay Davis/Mark Ladwig Tiffany Vise/Don Baldwin Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue Castelli and Shnapir finished fifth at the last two U.S. Championships. CUP OF CHINA NOV. 2–4, SHANGHAI, CHINA Christina Gao Mirai Nagasu Adam Rippon Caitlin Yankowskas/Joshua Reagan Madison Chock/Evan Bates ROSTELECOM CUP NOV. 9–11, MOSCOW, RUSSIA Gracie Gold Agnes Zawadzki Caroline Zhang Richard Dornbush Johnny Weir Caydee Denney/John Coughlin Tiffany Vise/Don Baldwin Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani This will mark the fourth time that Pang and Tong have competed at Skate America. They earned a medal in their previous three appearances, including gold in 2003. They became engaged in June 2011. Trying to knock off these two juggernauts are six teams, including a strong U.S. contingent led by U.S. champions Caydee Denney and John Coughlin. TROPHÉE BOMPARD NOV. 16–18, PARIS, FRANCE Christina Gao Ashley Wagner Jeremy Abbott Johnny Weir Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue Denney and Coughlin, who train in Colorado Springs, Colo., united last year and enjoyed immediate success. They finished fourth at Skate America and captured the silver medal at the Four Continents Championships. Before their partnership, Denney won the U.S. title with Jeremy Barrett in 2010. Cough- Caydee Denney and John Coughlin 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA (Lineups subject to change) “Our goals for Skate America are to show up and make a splash,” Castelli said. “We’re at the point where we are ready to break through and we want to do it. We are ready to become the competitors and skaters we know we can be. Now it is time to show everyone else.” China’s Qing Pang and Jian Tong are the 2010 Olympic silver medalists and twotime World champions (2006, 2010). They have skated together since 1993. 6 U.S. GRAND PRIX ASSIGNMENTS NHK TROPHY NOV. 23–25, SENDAI, JAPAN Alissa Czisny Agnes Zawadzki Richard Dornbush Ross Miner Adam Rippon Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir Lindsay Davis/Mark Ladwig Caitlin Yankowskas/Joshua Reagan Meryl Davis/Charlie White Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani The complete list of skater selections for the 2012 Grand Prix Series is available at www.icenetwork.com. ICE DANCING Meryl Davis and Charlie White are the favorites as they shoot for their third consecutive Skate America crown. The Michigan natives, winners of the 2011 World title and 2010 Olympic silver medal, have won nine Grand Prix medals (seven gold and two bronze) in their career together that began in 1998. The four-time reigning U.S. titlists are also vying for their fourth consecutive Grand Prix Final title, which gives them added incentive at Skate America. The Canadian team of Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje figure to push the champs the hardest. Partners since 2006, they won the bronze medal at the 2012 Four Continents Championships and finished fourth at the 2012 World Championships. They placed second at all three of their Grand Prix Series events last year. Russian champions Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev and the Lithuanian team of Isabella Tobias and Deividas Stagniunas, third at Skate America in 2011, could also challenge for a medal. On the rise, the U.S. duo of Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt are also part of the medal conversation, having finished fourth at the 2012 U.S. Championships. “We will be competing among such a strong group of dancers, and our goal is to just sell our programs, have a strong skate and bring it a few notches up from the last time we were in front of a crowd,” Kriengkrairut said. “We have selected popular, upbeat and emotional songs for both programs, and we hope it will get the audience more involved. They are fun for us so we are excited to entertain.” The Michigan-based pair has skated together since 2007 and each year has climbed the competitive ranks of U.S. ice dancing. Sixth at the 2012 U.S. Championships, Anastasia Cannuscio and Colin McManus will be competing in their first Grand Prix Series event. They’ve skated together since 2009. Meryl Davis and Charlie White 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 7 INVITED COMPETITORS EVENT SCHEDULE LADIES PAIRS Mae Berenice Meite Qing Pang/Jian Tong Sarah Hecken Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres Valentina Marchei Stacy Kemp/David King Haruka Imai Danielle Montalbano/Evgeni Krasnopolski Alena Leonova Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov Adelina Sotnikova Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir Viktoria Helgesson Caydee Denney/John Coughlin Rachael Flatt Gretchen Donlan/Andrew Speroff FRANCE GERMANY ITALY JAPAN RUSSIA RUSSIA SWEDEN UNITED STATES CHINA FRANCE FRIDAY, OCT. 19 Pairs short program GREAT BRITAIN ISRAEL RUSSIA 7 p.m. Men’s short program 8:35 p.m. UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES SATURDAY, OCT. 20 Ladies short program Christina Gao 12:30 p.m. UNITED STATES Ashley Wagner UNITED STATES Short dance 2:15 p.m. MEN ICE DANCING Michal Brezina Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje Tomas Verner Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexandra Gazsi Yuzuru Hanyu Lorenza Alessandrini/Simone Vaturi Takahiko Kozuka Isabella Tobias/Deividas Stagniunas Tatsuki Machida Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev Konstantin Menshov Anastasia Cannuscio/Colin McManus SUNDAY, OCT. 21 Alexander Majorov Meryl Davis/Charlie White Free dance Jeremy Abbott Lynn Kriengkrairut/Logan Giulietti-Schmitt CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC JAPAN JAPAN JAPAN RUSSIA SWEDEN UNITED STATES CANADA GERMANY ITALY LITHUANIA RUSSIA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES Evan Lysacek 7:05 p.m. Pairs free skate 9 p.m. 11:45 a.m. Ladies free skate UNITED STATES 1:20 p.m. Douglas Razzano UNITED STATES Smucker's Skating Spectacular JUDGES Lorna Schroder, CAN Jean Senft, CAN Feng Huang, CHN Wei Shi, CHN Richard Kosina, CZE Florence Vuylsteker, FRA Elke Treitz, GER Christian Baumann, GER Vanessa Riley, GBR Men’s free skate 6 p.m. Franco Benini, ITA Michela Cesaro, ITA Mayumi Kato, JPN Laimute Krauziene, LTU Alexander Kogan, RUS Yulia Andreeva, RUS Emile Billow, SWE (All times are Pacific) Tina Lundgren, USA Wendy Enzmann, USA Todd Bromley, USA Sharon Rogers, USA 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 9 Experience Kent! SEATTLE AREA OFFERS UNMATCHED BEAUTY, OPPORTUNITIES While the skating action inside the ShoWare Center promises to be electric, visitors to Kent and the Seattle area can also take in some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery and alluring attractions. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest can be seen in its majestic mountains, wondrous ocean and picturesque shorelines. Never a shortage of things to do, the Seattle area offers a plethora of interesting and exciting destinations. Listed below are some of the more notable attractions that are just a short drive from the skating competition in Kent. DES MOINES MARINA DISTRICT Located between Seattle and Tacoma on the Puget Sound, the Des Moines Marina District features six miles of shoreline that includes public beaches, waterfront parks and a boardwalk with the Olympic Cascade Mountains as the backdrop. A dazzling marina is home to large sailing yachts, as well as small fishing boats for family fun. The Des Moines Marina District offers an extensive selection of fine dining, fresh seafood and boutique shopping that guarantees entertainment for all ages. THE SHOWARE CENTER Proud home of the Seattle Thunderbirds, the ShoWare Center is North America’s first sports and entertainment arena to achieve GOLD certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (L.E.E.D.) by the U.S. Green Building Council. Because of its intimate design and flexible scale, the ShoWare Center hosts a wide array of events including concerts, family shows, professional and exhibition sports, trade shows and community gatherings. BOEING FACTORY The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Factory Tour is located in Mukilteo, Wash., 25 miles north of Seattle. During the tour of the world’s largest building by volume (472,000,000 cubic feet), visitors watch airplanes being built for a worldwide base of airline customers. By incorporating and expanding the existing Boeing Tour, the Future of Flight offers a remarkable opportunity to see commercial jet production today and the direction aviation is headed in the future. 10 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA BALLARD LOCKS Built in 1911, The Hiram M. Chittenden (known locally as Ballard Locks) provides a link for boats between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal. Tourists and locals can enjoy watching the parade of vessels passing through, as the locks’ water levels are adjusted to allow their safe passage. Glass panels below the water line allow visitors to watch the fish as they swim through the famous fish ladder, built to allow salmon to navigate their way between the fresh and salt water. HIGHLINE SEATAC BOTANICAL GARDEN The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden covers 10.5 acres of display gardens, woodlands and trails reclaimed from a suburban brownfield. Highlights of the currently developed three acres include the Seike Japanese Garden, Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden, the Sensory Garden (located adjacent to the SeaTac Senior Center) and display gardens planted and maintained by the King County Iris Society, Puget Sound Daylily Club, Seattle Rose Society and the City of SeaTac Parks Department. MOUNT RAINIER Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S., spawning six major rivers. Wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. Visitors can watch as clouds shroud the mountain, visit the historic buildings, climb to the summit or just sit back and listen to the glaciers crack. PIKE PLACE MARKET Nine acres and more than a century of operation comprise one of the area’s most iconic attractions. Pike Place Market, nicknamed the “Soul of Seattle,” includes aisles of fruits and vegetables, tables overflowing with fresh floral bouquets, and booth after booth of locally made jewelry, clothing and gifts provide visitors and locals with a unique shopping experience. The market is home to more than 200 businesses, including the original Starbucks Coffee Co., 190 crafts people and about 100 farmers. More than 10 million people visit annually. 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 11 MUSEUM OF FLIGHT The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 400,000 visitors annually. The museum’s collection features several unique and inspiring exhibits including more than 150 historic air and spacecraft, the largest aviation and space library and archives on the West Coast, and the Red Barn — the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Company. There is something for everyone to experience in these dynamic displays presenting events that have carried explorers from Kitty Hawk to the moon. SPACE NEEDLE IFLY INDOOR SKYDIVING The Space Needle is unmatched in its 360-degree panoramic view. Take an elevator ride to the observation deck and visitors can see the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the city’s most beautiful skyscrapers, the Cascade Mountains to the east and the majestic Olympics to the west. Float planes land below on sparkling Lake Union as ferries, cruise lines and cargo ships cross Elliott Bay. After experiencing the sights, guests can dine in the famous rotating Sky City Restaurant. The entire dining area moves 360 degrees, allowing patrons to take in each course of the city as they take in each delicious course of the meal. Visitors soar on a column of air inside a vertical wind tunnel. Multiple fans located at the top of the flight chamber produce wall-to-wall airflow that is smooth, fun and safe. Professional instructors provide all of the flight gear, as well as providing fundamental skills for body flight through a classroom training session. All that guests have to do is get ready to smile through the most exciting indoor flight experience possible. FUN FACTS In 2003 the city was recognized by Sports Illustrated as “Sportstown of the year” for the state of Washington. Mt. Ranier, along with the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, can be seen from the city. The average annual rainfall is 39 inches. A Boeing facility and the headquarters of REI and Oberto Sausage are located in the city. Kent was incorporated in 1890 and was earlier known as Titusville. Kent Station is a huge entertainment center that also includes retail businesses and numerous restaurants. In 1906 the “Great Flood” temporarily changed the valley into an enormous lake. Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington. KENT AT A GLANCE Population: 118,200 County: King Mayor: Suzette Cooke Average temperature: October 62/44 Largest employer: Boeing, 4,000 employees Notable people: Josie Bissett, actress; Kenny Mayne, ESPN analyst; Earl Anthony, professional bowler Elevation: 500 feet 12 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Meet Skate Coach for iOS. Innovative. Affordable. More than 400 video examples. And all in the palm of your hand. For more information, visit www.usfigureskating.org U.S. Figure Skating and Rink Tank Interactive have teamed up to bring the Basic Skills Program to a whole new dimension. We have created more than 400 high-quality video examples and delivered them in one tidy package called the U.S. Figure Skating Skate Coach app series for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad. With 12 apps to choose from, skaters, instructors, parents and officials can see what every skill from every badge level in the Basic Skills Program should look like, all in a portability factor that is unparalleled. Honorary chair AGOSTO ENJOYING SECOND CHAPTER OF SKATING CAREER By Mimi Whetstone Honorary chair Ben Agosto addresses the media at a press conference announcing that 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America will be held in Kent, Wash., at the ShoWare Center. As a figure skating fan, when you hear the name Ben Agosto, you probably remember the five U.S. titles or four World Championships medals he won with partner Tanith Belbin. Maybe you remember the pair clenching their silver medals in Torino, Italy, in 2006 as they became the first U.S. ice dancers to earn higher than a bronze at an Olympic Games. Perhaps you think of his positive influence, genuine smile or the all-around good nature he maintained as the duo ushered in a new era in North American ice dancing. While all of that holds true, for his new role, Agosto has traded in his elaborate skating costumes for a suit and tie, stepping in as Skate America’s honorary chair. “I’ve never been involved in skating in this way before,” Agosto said. “It’s exciting to be involved and to see a Grand Prix event come together in my new neck of the woods.” Since retiring in 2010, Agosto relocated from the East Coast, settling down in Lacey, Wash., with Merrie Schultz, his girlfriend of more than 12 years. “It’s been a really interesting time in my life,” Agosto said. “Merrie is originally from the Seattle area, so we’ve always had long-term plans to move out to the West Coast. The opportunity came after I retired, and we finally made it happen.” Although he moved away from his former training grounds, Agosto couldn’t walk away from the sport completely. He began training local singles skaters and dance teams of all ages, even coaching a team to the championship ice dancing title at this year’s U.S. Adult Championships. “It’s something that I never thought I wanted to do,” Agosto said. “I remember saying ‘Oh, I never want to coach skating. I just want to move on and do something completely different.’ Then I started coaching a little bit and I got a lot of satisfaction from it.” Although he’s considered a veteran of the sport, Agosto was originally caught off guard by the pressure of his new position. “I actually caught myself gripping the boards at one point,” Agosto said. “As a coach, it’s all completely out of your hands. All you can do is hope you’ve prepared your skaters enough. I definitely have a newfound respect for what my coaches went through when I stepped on the ice.” In addition to coaching, Agosto also tried his hand at choreography, working with Disney on Ice’s 2011 production “Dare to Dream.” This year, he repeated his role for Disney’s new show, “A Rockin’ Ever After,” featuring characters from The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and Brave. “There’s a lot of hair going on in this show,” Agosto chuckled. “It’s so much fun to be a part of. You put together some steps and then you see them performed by a cast of 40 people. Then we add the costumes, the lights and the set. It’s so incredible to see it all come to life.” While Agosto doesn’t know exactly what the future holds, this week in Seattle, he’ll take pride in his hometown role as honorary chair. “It’s a nice opportunity for me to be back and involved in competitive skating, without actually competing,” Agosto said. “The West Coast hasn’t had a big history of dance and I think it’s a great place for me to carve a spot for myself. For now, I’m taking everything one step at a time and enjoying every second of this new road that I’m on.” 14 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Still ahead of its time A champion 50 years in the making www.spaceneedle.com 800.937.9582 Located in the Seattle skyline since 1962 Ashley Wagner UNITED STATES 2012 U.S. champion 2012 Four Continents champion BORN: May 16, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Heidelberg, Germany HEIGHT: 5’3” HOMETOWN: Alexandria, Va. TRAINING TOWN: Aliso Viejo, Calif. COACHES: John Nicks, Phillip Mills CHOREOGRAPHER: Phillip Mills Rachael Flatt UNITED STATES 2010 U.S. champion 2010 Olympian BORN: BIRTHPLACE: July 21, 1992 Del Mar, Calif. HEIGHT: 5’2” HOMETOWN: Del Mar, Calif. TRAINING TOWN: San Jose, Calif. COACHES: Justin Dillon, Lynn Smith CHOREOGRAPHERS: Lori Nichol Justin Dillon Rachael Flatt 16 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Alena Leonova RUSSIA 2012 World silver medalist 2011 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist BORN: Nov. 23, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: St. Petersburg, Russia HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: St. Petersburg, Russia TRAINING TOWN: St. Petersburg, Russia COACHES: Nikoli Morozov, Alla Pyatova CHOREOGRAPHER: Nikoli Morozov Christina Gao UNITED STATES 2009 Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist BORN: March 7, 1994 BIRTHPLACE: Cincinnati HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: Cincinnati TRAINING TOWN: Boston COACHES: Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell CHOREOGRAPHERS: David Wilson Mark Mitchell 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 17 Sarah Hecken GERMANY 2008, 2010-11 German champion BORN: Aug. 27, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Mannheim, Germany Mannheim, Germany TRAINING TOWN: COACH: 2012 Italian champion BORN: May 23, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: HEIGHT: 5’7” HOMETOWN: Valentina Marchei ITALY Mannheim, Germany Peter Sczypa CHOREOGRAPHER: Edoardo de Bernardis Milan, Italy HEIGHT: 5’3” HOMETOWN: Milan, Italy TRAINING TOWN: COACHES: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Jason Dungjen, Yuka Sato CHOREOGRAPHERS: Viktoria Helgesson SWEDEN 2012 Swedish champion BORN: Sept. 13, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Tibro, Sweden Mae Berenice Meite FRANCE 2012 French silver medalist BORN: Sept. 21, 1994 HEIGHT: 5’5” BIRTHPLACE: HOMETOWN: Tibro, Sweden HEIGHT: 5’4” TRAINING TOWN: COACHES: Tibro, Sweden Regina Jensen, Christina Helgesson CHOREOGRAPHER: Catarina Lindgren Paris HOMETOWN: Vitry sur Seine, France TRAINING TOWN: COACH: Paris Katia Krier CHOREOGRAPHER: Haruka Imai JAPAN 2009 Japanese junior champion BORN: Aug. 31, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Tokyo 2012 Russian champion 2012 World Junior bronze medalist Jan. 7, 1996 BORN: HOMETOWN: Tokyo BIRTHPLACE: COACHES: Detroit Jason Dungjen, Yuka Sato CHOREOGRAPHER: Yuka Sato Moscow HEIGHT: 5’3” HOMETOWN: Moscow TRAINING TOWN: COACH: Moscow Elena Buianova CHOREOGRAPHERS: 18 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Karine Arribert Adelina Sotnikova RUSSIA HEIGHT: 5’3” TRAINING TOWN: Yuka Sato, Massimo Scali Irina Tagaeva, Tatiana Tarasova Alissa Czisny 2011 SKATE AMERICA CHAMPION Alissa Czisny captured the gold medal at her third Skate America, edging Italian champion Carolina Kostner by 0.13 points. Czisny went on to claim the bronze medal at Trophée Eric Bompard in France to earn a spot at the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada, where she sustained an injury and finished fifth. The Detroit-based skater secured the silver medal at the 2012 Prudential U.S. Championships in San Jose, Calif. She wrapped up the season with a disappointing performance at the World Championships in Nice, France, where she finished 22nd. After the season, it was discovered that Czisny had suffered a hip injury earlier in the year that likely contributed to her lateseason problems. PAST CHAMPIONS Note: Skate America competitions were not held in 1980, 1984 and 1987. Alissa Czisny (USA) .................. 2011 Kanako Murakami (JPN)......... 2010 Yu-Na Kim (KOR)....................... 2009 Yu-Na Kim (KOR)....................... 2008 Kimmie Meissner (USA).......... 2007 Miki Ando (JPN)......................... 2006 Elena Sokolova (RUS).............. 2005 Angela Nikodinov (USA)........ 2004 Sasha Cohen (USA).................. 2003 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 2002 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 2001 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 2000 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 1999 Maria Butyrskaya (RUS).......... 1998 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 1997 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 1996 Michelle Kwan (USA)............... 1995 Surya Bonaly (FRA)................... 1994 Oksana Baiul (UKR)................... 1993 Yuka Sato (JPN)......................... 1992 Tonya Harding (USA)............... 1991 Kristi Yamaguchi (USA)........... 1990 Tonya Harding (USA)............... 1989 Claudia Leistner (FRG)............. 1988 Tiffany Chin (USA).................... 1986 Debi Thomas (USA).................. 1985 Tiffany Chin (USA).................... 1983 Rosalynn Sumners (USA)....... 1982 Vikki de Vries (USA).................. 1981 Lisa-Marie Allen (USA)............ 1979 20 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA LADIES SCORING GUIDE SHORT PROGRAM AND FREE SKATE TOTAL ELEMENT SCORE (TECHNICAL) SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL PROGRAM COMPONENTS SCORE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL SEGMENT SCORE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE SEGMENT PLACE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE Christina Gao, USA Rachael Flatt, USA Sarah Hecken, GER Viktoria Helgesson, SWE Haruka Imai, JPN Alena Leonova, RUS Valentina Marchei, ITA Mae Berenice Meite, FRA Adelina Sotnikova, RUS Ashley Wagner, USA COMPILED SCORES AND FINAL STANDINGS SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL COMPETITION FINAL PLACE Christina Gao, USA Rachael Flatt, USA Sarah Hecken, GER Viktoria Helgesson, SWE Haruka Imai, JPN Alena Leonova, RUS Valentina Marchei, ITA Mae Berenice Meite, FRA Adelina Sotnikova, RUS Ashley Wagner, USA REQUIRED ELEMENTS The short program consists of seven required moves or elements: three jumps, three spins and one step sequence to music selected by the skater. • Duration: 2:50 (maximum) • Jumps: Double or triple Axel; a solo jump that must be a triple with entry steps required; a combination jump consisting of either a triple-triple or triple-double • Spins: A flying spin with a minimum of eight revolutions; a combination spin with only one change of foot, all three basic positions and a minimum of six revolutions on each foot; a layback or sideways leaning spin with a minimum of eight revolutions • Steps: Any step sequence The well-balanced free skate includes a maximum number of elements but has no minimum. The skater should pay attention to interesting transitions, connecting steps and movements between elements. • Duration: 4 minutes (+/- 10 seconds) • Jumps: Can include a maximum of seven jump elements; one must be an Axel-type jump; only two triple or quad jumps can be repeated, and, if repeated, at least one attempt must be part of a jump combination or jump sequence; there may be up to three jump combinations or sequences; no more than one jump combination may consist of three jumps. • Spins: A maximum of three spins of a different nature, one of which must be a spin combination; one must have a flying entry; and one must have only one position • Steps: A maximum of one step sequence; maximum of one spiral sequence with one 6-second spiral or two 3-second spirals 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 21 m ©2011 United Air Lines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Being a family member of Team USA has its benefits. Take advantage of partnership travel discounts. Flying America’s Team for 30 Years. United has flown Team USA for over 30 years, and we strive to be the airline of choice for Olympic family members as well. That’s why we offer discounted fares for USOC/NGB associated events. Visit united.com/USOC to book your flight, or to learn more. BOOK USING THE THE U.S. FIGURE SKATING CODE: ZMHC BOOK USING U.S. FIGURE SKATING CODE:707966 563EE Douglas Razzano UNITED STATES BORN: Oct. 22, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Mineola, N.Y. HEIGHT: 5’7” HOMETOWN: TRAINING TOWN: Scottsdale, Ariz. Chandler, Ariz. COACHES: Doug Ladret, Lara Ladret, Grant Rorvick CHOREOGRAPHERS: Doug Ladret, Douglas Razzano, Grant Rorvick Evan Lysacek UNITED STATES 2010 Olympic champion 2009 World champion 2007, 2008 U.S. champion BORN: June 4, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Chicago, HEIGHT: 6’2” HOMETOWN: Los Angeles TRAINING TOWN: Los Angeles COACHES: Frank Carroll, Karen Kwan Oppegard CHOREOGRAPHER: Lori Nichol 24 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Michal Brezina CZECH REPUBLIC 2011 Skate America champion March 30, 1990 BORN: BIRTHPLACE: Brno, Czech Republic HEIGHT: 5’8” HOMETOWN: Brno, Czech Republic TRAINING TOWN: Hackensack, N.J. COACH Jeremy Abbott UNITED STATES 2009, 2010, 2012 U.S. champion CHOREOGRAPHER: 2010 Olympian Pasquale Camerlengo BORN: June 5, 1985 Viktor Petrenko BIRTHPLACE: Aspen, Colo. HEIGHT: 5’10” HOMETOWN: Aspen, Colo. TRAINING TOWN: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. COACHES: Yuka Sato, Jason Dungjen CHOREOGRAPHERS: Buddy and Benji Schwimmer, Y Sato, R. Campanella, Jeremy Abbott 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 25 Yuzuru Hanyu JAPAN 2012 World bronze medalist 2011 Four Continents silver medalist BORN: Dec. 7, 1994 BIRTHPLACE: Sendai, Japan HEIGHT: 5’7” HOMETOWN: Sendai, Japan TRAINING TOWN: COACHES: Toronto Brian Orser, Tracy Wilson CHOREOGRAPHERS: David Wilson, Jeffrey Buttle Takahiko Kozuka JAPAN 2011 World silver medalist 2012 Japanese silver medalist BORN: Feb. 27, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Nagoya, Japan HEIGHT: 5’7” HOMETOWN: Toyota, Japan Yokohama, Japan Nobuo Sato, Kumiko Sato CHOREOGRAPHERS: David Wilson, Marina Zoueva, Fedor Andreev Tatsuki Machida JAPAN BORN: March 9, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Kanagawa, Japan BORN: July 19, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Hiroshima, Japan TRAINING TOWN: Lake Arrowhead, Calif. Anthony Liu, Azumi Hata, E. Nakayuki, E. Kikkawa COACHES: CHOREOGRAPHERS: Stephane Lambiel, Phillip Mills St. Petersburg, Russia HEIGHT: 5’6” HOMETOWN: Lulea, Sweden TRAINING TOWN: COACH: Lulea, Sweden Alexander Majorov, Sr. CHOREOGRAPHERS: Irina Majorova RUSSIA 2011 Russian champion BORN: Feb. 23, 1983 St. Petersburg, Russia HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: St. Petersburg, Russia TRAINING TOWN: COACH: St. Petersburg, Russia Evgeni Rukavicin CHOREOGRAPHER: 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Olga Glinka Tomas Verner CZECH REPUBLIC Two-time Olympian Eight-time Czech champion June 3, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Pisek, Czech Republic HEIGHT: 5’11” HOMETOWN: Borovany, Czech Republic TRAINING TOWN: COACH: Toronto Robert Emerson CHOREOGRAPHER: 26 Catarina Lindgren, Konstantin Menshov BORN: HEIGHT: 5’4” HOMETOWN: SWEDEN 2012 Swedish champion 2011 World junior bronze medalist BIRTHPLACE: TRAINING TOWN: COACHES: Alexander Majorov Pasquale Camerlengo LI VE HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Oct. 21 TROPHÉE ERIC BOMPARD LI VE 4-6 p.m. 2-4 p.m. (Japan) Nov. 25 4-6 p.m. (Russia) Dec. 9 ROSTELECOM CUP (Russia) Nov. 11 2-4 p.m. 2013 PRUDENTIAL U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS 3-5 p.m. Jan. 26 Jan. 26 Jan. 27 NHK TROPHY SKATE CANADA Oct. 28 (France) Nov. 18 ISU GRAND PRIX FINAL Noon-2 p.m. LI VE 3-6 p.m. LI VE 9-11 p.m. LI VE 4-6 p.m. SMUCKER’S SKATING SPECTACULAR Feb. 2 1-3 p.m. Times subject to change. All times are Eastern. PAST CHAMPIONS Note: Skate America competitions were not held in 1980, 1984 and 1987. Michal Brezina (CZE)........................ 2011 Brian Joubert (FRA).......................... 2002 Christopher Bowman (USA).......... 1991 Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)................. 2010 Timothy Goebel (USA).................... 2001 Viktor Petrenko (URS)...................... 1990 Evan Lysacek (USA).......................... 2009 Timothy Goebel (USA).................... 2000 Christopher Bowman (USA).......... 1989 Takahiko Kozuka (JPN).................... 2008 Alexei Yagudin (RUS)....................... 1999 Christopher Bowman (USA).......... 1988 Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)................. 2007 Alexei Yagudin (RUS)....................... 1998 Brian Boitano (USA)......................... 1986 Nobunari Oda (JPN)......................... 2006 Todd Eldredge (USA)....................... 1997 Josef Sabovcik (CZE)........................ 1985 Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)................. 2005 Todd Eldredge (USA)....................... 1996 Brian Boitano (USA)......................... 1983 Brian Joubert (FRA).......................... 2004 Todd Eldredge (USA)....................... 1995 Scott Hamilton (USA)...................... 1982 Michael Weiss (USA)........................ 2003 Todd Eldredge (USA)....................... 1994 Scott Hamilton (USA)...................... 1981 Viktor Petrenko (UKR)...................... 1993 Scott Hamilton (USA)...................... 1979 Todd Eldredge (USA)....................... 1992 Michal Brezina 2011 SKATE AMERICA CHAMPION Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic used a stellar short program to capture his Skate America debut in Ontario, Calif. Brezina captured the bronze medal at Trophée Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada, where he placed sixth. Brezina finished strong, winning the silver medal at the Czech Championships, placing fourth at the European Championships and sixth at the World Championships. 28 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA MEN'S SCORING GUIDE SHORT PROGRAM AND FREE SKATE TOTAL ELEMENT SCORE (TECHNICAL) SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL PROGRAM COMPONENTS SCORE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL SEGMENT SCORE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE SEGMENT PLACE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE Jeremy Abbott, USA Michal Brezina, CZE Yuzuru Hanyu, JPN Takahiko Kozuka, JPN Evan Lysacek, USA Tatsuki Machida, JPN Alexander Majorov, SWE Konstantin Menshov, RUS Douglas Razzano, USA Tomas Verner, CZE COMPILED SCORES AND FINAL STANDINGS SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL COMPETITION FINAL PLACE Jeremy Abbott, USA Michal Brezina, CZE Yuzuru Hanyu, JPN Takahiko Kozuka, JPN Evan Lysacek, USA Tatsuki Machida, JPN Alexander Majorov, SWE Konstantin Menshov, RUS Douglas Razzano, USA Tomas Verner, CZE REQUIRED ELEMENTS The short program consists of seven required moves or elements: three jumps, three spins and one step sequence to music selected by the skater. • Duration: 2:50 (maximum) • Jumps: Double or triple Axel; a solo jump that must be a triple with entry steps required; a combination jump consisting of either a triple-triple or triple-double • Spins: A flying spin with a minimum of eight revolutions; a combination spin with only one change of foot, all three basic positions and a minimum of six revolutions on each foot; a layback or sideways leaning spin with a minimum of eight revolutions • Steps: Any step sequence The well-balanced free skate includes a maximum number of elements but has no minimum. The skater should pay attention to interesting transitions, connecting steps and movements between elements. • Duration: 4 minutes (+/- 10 seconds) • Jumps: Can include a maximum of seven jump elements; one must be an Axel-type jump; only two triple or quad jumps can be repeated, and, if repeated, at least one attempt must be part of a jump combination or jump sequence; there may be up to three jump combinations or sequences; no more than one jump combination may consist of three jumps. • Spins: A maximum of three spins of a different nature, one of which must be a spin combination; one must have a flying entry; and one must have only one position • Steps: A maximum of one step sequence; maximum of one spiral sequence with one 6-second spiral or two 3-second spirals 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 29 Winwith1,000 bonus points1whenyoumakeyourfirstpurchaseontheU.S.FigureSkatingVisaSignature® Card!Everytimeyouuseyourcard,you’llearn1pointforeverynetdollarpurchase,andyoucanredeem yourpointsforexceptionalrewards,including: •Merchandise,giftcertificatesorcashback (Rewardsstartat1,500RewardsPoints) •Unrestrictedtravelonanyairline (Rewardsstartingat25,000RewardsPoints) You’ll also receive great benefits, including: •Unlimitedrewardspoints1 •Nopresetspendinglimit2 •SpecialSignatureadvantages,suchasfreeConciergeService3 earn points to redeem for the rewards of your choice. every purchase supports u.s. figure skating programs! Apply Now! CAll 888-327-2265 ext. 9167 or visit usfigureskAtiNg.org 1Accountsmustbeopenandcurrenttoearnandredeempoints.Bonuspointswillappearonyourfirststatementafterthequalifyingpurchaseismade. 2Nopresetspendinglimitdoesnotmeanunlimitedspending.Individualtransactionsareauthorizedbycardissuerbasedonfactorssuchasaccounthistory,creditrecord,andpayment resources.Cardissuerwillpresetanupperlimitforrevolvingbalancesandcashadvances. 3CardmembersareresponsibleforthecostofanygoodsorservicespurchasedbyVisaSignatureConciergeoncardmembers’behalf. ThecreditorandissueroftheU.S.FigureSkatingVisaSignatureCardisU.S.BankNationalAssociationND,pursuanttoalicensefromVisaU.S.A.Inc. ©2012U.S.Bank.Allrightsreserved. ABOUT US U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States. With approximately 173,000 members, it is one of the strongest and most active governing bodies within the Olympic movement. U.S. Figure Skating is made up of member clubs, collegiate clubs, school-affiliated clubs, Basic Skills programs and individual members. Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, icenetwork.com is the ultimate online figure skating destination. Visit icenetwork.com for the latest news, videos, photos and competition results as well as skater profiles and the icenetwork.com World Figure Skater Rankings. GET INVOLVED *Times subject to change U.S. Figure Skating offers numerous programs that make it easy for athletes of any skill and interest level to participate in skating, including adult, collegiate, synchronized and Theatre On Ice. Visit www.usfigureskating.org and click “Programs” for more information on these and other skating programs. GRAND PRIX SERIES BROADCAST SCHEDULE AIR DATE EVENT Oct. 21 Hilton HHonors Skate America TIME/ET Oct. 28 Skate Canada 2-4 p.m. Nov. 11 Rostelecom Cup (Russia) 4-6 p.m. Nov. 18 Tropheé Eric Bompard (France) 2-4 p.m. Nov. 25 NHK Trophy (Japan) 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9 ISU Grand Prix Final (Russia) 1-3 p.m. LI VE 4-6 p.m. 2013 PRUDENTIAL U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS BROADCAST SCHEDULE JOIN There are a number of membership categories available through U.S. Figure Skating, including full, Basic Skills, individual and collegiate. For more information on becoming a member of U.S. Figure Skating, visit www.joinusfigureskating.com. SUPPORT There are several ways for you to show your support of U.S. Figure Skating. The two most popular are by joining Friends of Figure Skating and donating to the Memorial Fund. For more information on these and other giving opportunities, please visit www.givetousfigureskating.com. AIR DATE EVENT Jan. 26 Pairs, Ice Dancing Jan. 26 Ladies Jan. 27 Men’s Feb. 2 Smucker’s Skating Spectacular TIME/ET LI VE 3-6 p.m. LI VE 9-11 p.m. LI VE 4-6 p.m. 1-3 p.m. Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov RUSSIA 2012 European champions 2011, 2012 World silver medalists 2011 Russian champions TRAINING TOWNS: Moscow; Hackensack, N.J. COACHES: Nina Mozer, Stanislav Morozov CHOREOGRAPHERS: Alla Kapranova, Nikoli Morozov Gretchen Donlan/Andrew Speroff UNITED STATES Brighton, Mass. COACHES: Bobby Martin, Carrie Wall CHOREOGRAPHERS: Tanith Belbin, Sheryl Franks TRAINING TOWN: DONLAN Nov. 18, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Boston HEIGHT: 4’11” HOMETOWN: Hingham, Mass. BORN: 32 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA SPEROFF May 19, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Newark, N.J. HEIGHT: 5’10” HOMETOWN: Colorado Springs, Colo. BORN: VOLOSOZHAR BORN: May 22, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Dnepropetrovsk, Russia HEIGHT: 5’3” HOMETOWN: Kiev, Russia TRANKOV BORN: Oct. 7, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Perm, Russia HEIGHT: 6’1” HOMETOWN: St. Petersburg, Russia Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir UNITED STATES TRAINING TOWN: Boston COACHES: Bobby Martin, Carrie Wall, Mark Mitchell, Peter Johansson CHOREOGRAPHER: Julie Marcotte CASTELLI SHNAPIR Aug. 20, 1990 BORN: Aug. 20, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Providence, R.I. BIRTHPLACE: Moscow, Russia HEIGHT: 5’ HEIGHT: 6’4” HOMETOWN: Cranston, R.I. HOMETOWN: Sudbury, Mass. BORN: Caydee Denney/ John Coughlin UNITED STATES 2012 U.S. champions TRAINING TOWN: Colorado Springs, Colo. COACHES: Dalilah Sappenfield, Larry Ibarra CHOREOGRAPHER: Pasquale Camerlengo DENNEY June 22, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Ocala, Fla. HEIGHT: 5’1” HOMETOWN: Ocala, Fla. BORN: COUGHLIN Dec. 1, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Kansas City, Mo. HEIGHT: 6’2” HOMETOWN: Kansas City, Mo. BORN: 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 33 Vanessa James/ Morgan Cipres FRANCE 2012 French silver medalists TRAINING TOWN: Paris; Dammarie les Lys, France COACH: Claude Peri-Thevenard CHOREOGRAPHER: Romain Haguenauer ISRAEL Hackensack, N.J. COACH: Kyoko Ina CHOREOGRAPHERS: Galit Chait Moracci TRAINING TOWN: JAMES BORN: Sept. 27, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Scarborough, Ontario HEIGHT: 5’6” HOMETOWN: Charenton Le Pont, France MONTALBANO BORN: Jan. 23, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Manhasset, N.Y. HEIGHT: 4’11” HOMETOWN: Hackensack, N.J. CIPRES BORN: April 24, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Melun, France HEIGHT: 6’0” HOMETOWN: Saint Fargeau-Ponthierry, France KRASNOPOLSKI BORN: Oct. 4, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Kiev, Ukraine HEIGHT: 5’11” HOMETOWNS: Hackensack, N.J./ Kiryat Shmona Israel Stacey Kemp/ David King GREAT BRITAIN 2006-12 British champions TRAINING TOWN: Ellenton, Fla. COACHES: Jim Peterson, Lyndon Johnston, Alison Smith CHOREOGRAPHER: Jim Peterson KEMP BORN: July 25, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Preston, Great Britain HEIGHT: 5’1” HOMETOWN: Preston, Great Britain KING May 8, 1984 BIRTHPLACE: Carlisle, Great Britain HEIGHT: 6’2” HOMETOWN: Carlisle, Great Britain BORN: 34 Danielle Montalbano/ Evgeni Krasnopolski 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Qing Pang/ Jian Tong CHINA 2011 World bronze medalists 2010 World champions 2010 Olympic silver medalists TRAINING TOWN: Beijing, China COACHES: Bin Yao, Wei Liu CHOREOGRAPHERS: Lori Nichol, David Wilson PANG BORN: Dec. 24, 1979 BIRTHPLACE: Harbin, China HEIGHT: 5’4” HOMETOWN: Beijing, China TONG BORN: Aug. 15, 1979 BIRTHPLACE: Harbin, China HEIGHT: 5’11” HOMETOWN: Beijing, China KENT .com REPORTER The Kent Reporter was part of a three-newspaper group (also including Auburn and Renton) launched in South King County in 1995. TODAY, the Kent Reporter covers the city’s geographic area of 29 square miles, including outlying unincorporated areas adjacent to city limits. The City of Kent is the fourth-largest city in King County, with a population more than 119,000. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s quality of life features neighborhoods with strong community ties, 60 parks, an exceptional school district, and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing. Welcome to Washington’s largest community news organization Founded in 1987, Sound Publishing, Inc. is the largest community news organization in Washington State. Today, more people read Sound Publishing community newspapers than traditional dailies in the markets we cover. Our titles deliver relevant, local news that directly affects the lives of those who raise families and work in the 86 communities we serve. Reader engagement is enhanced by our local newsrooms’ dedication to our “digital first” philosophy. Sound Publishing delivers community. Shopping | Dining | Movies Coldwater Creek • Chico’s • LOFT The Ram • Duke’s Chowder House 14 Screen AMC Theaters with IMAX, over 50 stores, 18 eateries, located across the street from ShoWare. Find a complete store listing at: www.KentStation.com PAST CHAMPIONS Note: Skate America competitions were not held in 1980, 1984 and 1987. Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER).....................2011 Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER).....................2010 Xue Shen/Hongbo Zhao (CHN).........................................2009 Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER).....................2008 Bryce Davison/Jessica Dubé...............................................2007 Rena Inoue/John Baldwin (USA).......................................2006 Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN)...........................................2005 Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN)...........................................2004 Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN)................................................2003 T. Totmianina/M. Marinin (RUS).........................................2002 Jaime Salé/David Pelletier (CAN)......................................2001 Jaime Salé/David Pelletier (CAN)......................................2000 Jaime Salé/David Pelletier (CAN)......................................1999 E. Berezhnaya/A. Sikharulidze (RUS)................................1998 Marina Eltsova/Andrey Bushkov (RUS)...........................1997 O. Kazakova/A. Dmitriev (RUS)..........................................1996 Marina Eltsova/Andrey Bushkov (RUS)...........................1995 Marina Eltsova/Andrey Bushkov (RUS)...........................1994 E. Shishkova/V. Naumov (RUS)...........................................1993 Marina Eltsova/Andrey Bushkov (RUS)...........................1992 Calla Urbanski/Rocky Marval (USA).................................1991 Marina Eltsova/Andrey Bushkov (URS)...........................1990 N. Mishkutenok/A. Dmitriev (URS)...................................1989 N. Mishkutenok/A. Dmitriev (URS)...................................1988 Katy Keeley/Joseph Mero (USA)......................................1986 Jill Watson/Peter Oppegard (USA).................................1985 K. Carruthers/P. Carruthers (USA)....................................1983 Elena Valova/Oleg Vasiliev (URS)....................................1982 Barbara Underhill/Paul Martini (CAN)...........................1981 Sabine Baess/Tassilo Thierbach (GDR)..........................1979 Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy 2011 SKATE AMERICA CHAMPIONS Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy rallied from a fifth-place finish in the short program to capture their third Skate America title by more than five points. After a disappointing bronzemedal finish at NHK Trophy, Savchenko and Szolkowy were perfect for the rest of their season, earning gold at Rostelecom Cup and the Grand Prix Final, as well as the German, European and World Championships. It was their fourth World title. 36 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA PAIRS SCORING GUIDE SHORT PROGRAM AND FREE SKATE TOTAL SEGMENT TOTAL ELEMENT SCORE TOTAL COMPONENTS SCORE (TECHNICAL) SCORE (PROGRAM) FREE FREE FREE SHORT SHORT FREE SHORT FREE SKATE SKATE SKATE PROGRAM PROGRAM SKATE PROGRAM SKATE SEGMENT PLACE SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE Marissa Castelli/ Simon Shnapir, USA Caydee Denney/ John Coughlin, USA Gretchen Donlan/ Andrew Speroff, USA Vanessa James/ Morgan Cipres/CAN Stacey Kemp/ David King/CAN Danielle Montalbano/ Evgeni Krasnopolski/ISR Qing Pang/ Jian Tong, CHN Tatiana Volosozhar/ Maxim Trankov, RUS COMPILED SCORES AND FINAL STANDINGS SHORT PROGRAM FREE SKATE TOTAL COMPETITION FINAL PLACE Marissa Castelli/ Simon Shnapir, USA Caydee Denney/ John Coughlin, USA Gretchen Donlan/ Andrew Speroff, USA Vanessa James/ Morgan Cipres/CAN Stacey Kemp/ David King/CAN Danielle Montalbano/ Evgeni Krasnopolski/ISR Qing Pang/ Jian Tong, CHN Tatiana Volosozhar/ Maxim Trankov, RUS REQUIRED ELEMENTS The short program consists of seven required moves or elements: lifts, jumps, a pair spin, footwork and a death spiral, all performed to music of the skaters’ choice. • Duration: 2:50 maximum • Lifts: Any hand-to-hand lift takeoff and a double or triple twist lift • Jumps: Any double or triple throw jump and any double or triple solo jump • Spins: Any pair spin combination with only one change of foot and at least one change of position • Death spiral: Backward outside • Step sequence: Any step sequence The well-balanced free skate includes a maximum number of elements but has no minimum. • Duration: 4:30 (+/- 10 seconds) • Lifts: Maximum of three lifts and one twist lift • Jumps: Maximum of two different throw jumps; a maximum of one solo jump; and a maximum of one jump combination or sequence • Spins: Maximum of one solo spin combination and a maximum of one pairs spin combination • Death spiral: Maximum of one. • Steps: Maximum of one spiral sequence with one 6-second sequence or two 3-second spirals by each partner 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 37 Lynn Kriengkrairut/ Logan Giulietti-Schmitt UNITED STATES 2007 U.S. junior bronze medalists Ann Arbor, Mich. COACHES: Yuri Chesnichenko, Yaroslava Nechaeva CHOREOGRAPHERS: Yuri Chesnichenko, Yaroslava Nechaeva TRAINING TOWN: 38 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA KRIENGKRAIRUT BORN: Oct. 4, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Staten Island, N.Y. HEIGHT: 5’4” HOMETOWN: Bismark, N.D. GIULIETTI-SCHMITT BORN: Aug. 16, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Chicago, Ill. HEIGHT: 5’10” HOMETOWN: Oak Park, Ill. Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje CANADA 2012 Canadian silver medalists TRAINING TOWN: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. COACHES: Pasquale Camerlengo, Angelika Krylova, Shae-Lynn Bourne CHOREOGRAPHERS: Shae-Lynn Bourne, Pasquale Camerlengo WEAVER BORN: April 12, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Houston, Texas HEIGHT: 5’6” HOMETOWN: Waterloo, Ontario POJE Feb. 25, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Waterloo, Ontario HEIGHT: 6’4” HOMETOWN: Waterloo, Ontario BORN: Meryl Davis/Charlie White UNITED STATES 2009-12 U.S. champions 2012 World silver medalists 2011 World champions 2010 Olympic silver medalists TRAINING TOWN: Canton, Mich. COACHES: Marina Zoueva, Johnny Johns, Oleg Epstein, Maurizio Margaglio, Olena Morgan CHOREOGRAPHER: Marina Zoueva DAVIS BORN: Jan. 1, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Royal Oak, Mich. HEIGHT: 5’3” HOMETOWN: West Bloomfield, Mich. WHITE BORN: Oct. 24, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Royal Oak, Mich. HEIGHT: 5’9” HOMETOWN: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Anastasia Cannuscio/Colin McManus UNITED STATES 2011 U.S. junior bronze medalists TRAINING TOWN: Newark, Del. COACHES: Karen Ludington, Alexandr Kirsanov, Christie Moxley-Hutson, Kat Arbour CHOREOGRAPHERS: Karen Ludington, Alexandr Kirsanov CANNUSCIO BORN: July 1, 1992 BIRTHPLACE: Philadelphia HEIGHT: 5’2” HOMETOWN: Egg Harbor Township, N.J. MCMANUS March 10, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Melrose, Mass. HEIGHT: 6’0” HOMETOWN: Saugus, Mass. BORN: 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 39 Lorenza Alessandrini/ Simone Vaturi ITALY 2011-12 Italian bronze medalists TRAINING TOWNS: Trento, Italy; Milan; Detroit COACHES: Pasquale Camerlengo, Massimo Scali, Anjelika Krylova CHOREOGRAPHERS: Corrado Giordani, Massimo Scali, Pasquale Camerlengo ALESSANDRINI BORN: Aug. 6, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Milan HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: Milan VATURTI BORN: July 20, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Milan HEIGHT: 6’1” HOMETOWN: Milan Ekaterina Bobrova/ Dmitri Soloviev RUSSIA 2012 Russian champions 2012 European silver medalists TRAINING TOWN: Moscow COACHES: Alexander Zhulin, Oleg Volkov CHOREOGRAPHERS: Alexander Zhulin, Sergey Petukhov BOBROVA BORN: March 28, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Moscow HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: Moscow SOLOVIEV BORN: July 18, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Moscow HEIGHT: 6’0” HOMETOWN: Moscow 40 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Nelli Zhiganshina/ Alexander Gazsi GERMANY 2011-12 German champions TRAINING TOWN: Oberstdorf, Germany COACHES: Rostislav Sinicyn, Martin Skotnicky CHOREOGRAPHER: Ilia Averbukh ZHIGANSHINA BORN: March 31, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Moscow HEIGHT: 5’5” HOMETOWN: Oberstdorf, Germany GAZSI BORN: October 6, 1984 BIRTHPLACE: Chemnitz, Germany HEIGHT: 6’0” HOMETOWN: Oberstdorf, Germany Isabella Tobias/ Deividas Stagniunas LITHUANIA 2011 Lithuanian champions TRAINING TOWN: Novi, Mich. COACH: Igor Shpilband CHOREOGRAPHER: Igor Shpilband TOBIAS BORN: Aug. 23, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: New York, N.Y. HEIGHT: 5’4” HOMETOWN: New York, N.Y. STAGNIUNAS BORN: April 28, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Kaunas, Lithuania HEIGHT: 6’0” HOMETOWN: Kaunas, Lithuania PAST CHAMPIONS Note: Skate America competitions were not held in 1980, 1984 and 1987. Meryl Davis/Charlie White (USA)......................................2011 Meryl Davis/Charlie White (USA)......................................2010 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA).......................................2009 Isabelle Delobel/O. Schoenfelder (FRA).........................2008 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA).......................................2007 Albena Denkova/Maxim Staviski (RUS)..........................2006 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA).......................................2005 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA).......................................2004 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA).......................................2003 E. Grushina/R. Goncharov (UKR)........................................2002 Shae-Lynn Bourne/V. Kraatz (CAN)..................................2001 B. Fusar-Poli/Maurizio Margaglio (ITA)............................2000 B. Fusar-Poli/Maurizio Margaglio (ITA)............................1999 M. Anissina/G. Peizerat (FRA).............................................1998 E. Punslan/J. Swallow (USA)................................................1997 A. Krylova/O. Ovsyannikov (RUS)......................................1996 Oksana Grishuk/Evgeny Platov (RUS)..............................1995 E. Punsalan/J. Swallow (USA)..............................................1994 S. Moniotte/P. Lavanchy (FRA)...........................................1993 Maia Usova/Alexander Zhulin (RUS)................................1992 Tatiana Navka/Samvel Gezalian (URS)............................1991 S. Calegari/P. Camerlengo (ITA).........................................1990 Maia Usova/Alexander Zhulin (URS)................................1989 Susan Wynne/Joseph Druar (USA)...................................1988 Isabelle & Paul Duchesnay (FRA).......................................1986 Renee Roca/Donald Adair (USA).......................................1985 Elisa Spitz/Scott Gregory (USA).........................................1983 Elisa Spitz/Scott Gregory (USA).........................................1982 Judy Blumberg/Michael Seibert (USA)...........................1981 Kriszina Regoczy/Andras Sallay (HUN)...........................1979 Meryl Davis and Charlie White 2011 SKATE AMERICA CHAMPIONS 2011 World champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the Skate America title for the second consecutive year. The Americans performed an elegant free dance to Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus,” beating silver medalists Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat of France by more than 21 points. The Michigan duo went on to win gold at the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow and the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada, for the third consecutive year. Their season finished on a high note when they won their fourth consecutive U.S. title before claiming the silver medal at the Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. At the 2012 World Championships, Davis and White turned in two fine performances and carted home the silver medal. 42 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA ICE DANCING SCORING GUIDE SHORT DANCE AND FREE DANCE TOTAL ELEMENT SCORE (TECHNICAL) FREE FREE SHORT SKATE DANCE DANCE TOTAL PROGRAM COMPONENTS SCORE FREE SHORT FREE SKATE DANCE DANCE TOTAL SEGMENT SCORE SHORT FREE DANCE DANCE SEGMENT PLACE SHORT DANCE FREE DANCE Lorenza Alessandrini/ Simone Vaturi, ITA Ekaterina Bobrova/ Dmitri Soloviev, RUS Anastasia Cannuscio/ Colin McManus, USA Meryl Davis/ Charlie White, USA Lynn Kriengkrairut/ Logan Giulietti-Schmitt, USA Isabella Tobias/ Delvidas Stagniuas, LIT Kaitlyn Weaver/ Andrew Poje, CAN Nelli Zhiganshina/ Alexandra Gazsi, GER COMPILED SCORES AND FINAL STANDINGS SHORT DANCE FREE DANCE TOTAL COMPETITION FINAL PLACE Lorenza Alessandrini/ Simone Vaturi, ITA Ekaterina Bobrova/ Dmitri Soloviev, RUS Anastasia Cannuscio/ Colin McManus, USA Meryl Davis/ Charlie White, USA Lynn Kriengkrairut/ Logan Giulietti-Schmitt, USA Isabella Tobias/ Delvidas Stagniuas, LIT Kaitlyn Weaver/ Andrew Poje, CAN Nelli Zhiganshina/ Alexandra Gazsi, GER REQUIRED ELEMENTS The short dance consists of required elements, including dance lifts, twizzles, step sequences and/or sections of pattern dances. • Duration for the short dance: 2:50 (+/- 10 seconds) • Music: For the 2012-13 season, the short dance must be to either polka, march or waltz rhythms. • Lifts: One short lift, not to exceed six seconds • Twizzles: One set of sequential twizzles • Step Sequences: One midline (not touching) or circular step sequence • Pattern dance requirement: Two sections of the Yankee Polka. A well-balanced free dance (FD) displays a full range of technical skills, interpretation and inventiveness to music. Music is the skater's choice. • Duration for the free dance: 4:00 (+/- 10 seconds) • Music: Must have an audible rhythmic beat and an uplifting effect • Lifts: Two different short lifts and one long lift or four short lifts chosen from a list of three different types and one transitional dance lift after all other dance lifts • Dance Spin: Up to two dance spins selected from spin or spin combination • Twizzles: One set of synchronized twizzles (additional sets are permitted) • Step Sequences: One midline or diagonal step sequence and one circular or serpentine step sequence 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 43 U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States. Organized in 1921, U.S. Figure Skating is a member of the International Skating Union (ISU), the international federation for the sport of figure skating and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Skating competitions at every level provide an incentive for figure skaters to train, develop and improve their proficiency. By ascending U.S. Figure Skating’s competition ladder, competitors qualify to compete not only at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships but also at international events, including the Olympic Winter Games and the World Figure Skating Championships. PROGRAMS The U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program was designed to be the best beginning ice skating program in the United States. Fun, challenging and rewarding, this program serves the needs of both the recreational and the competitive skater. There are approximately 115,000 skaters registered in more than 1,000 programs across the country. Adult figure skating has shown tremendous growth over the last two decades. U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned the 18th U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in 2012. At the most recent Championships in Bensenville, Ill., 480 athletes competed, most of them skating in multiple events. Adult competitions offer something for adult skaters of all ages and levels. Synchronized skating is another burgeoning U.S. Figure Skating program. There are approximately 575 synchronized skating teams registered with U.S. Figure Skating. Nearly 1,800 skaters representing 90 teams competed at the 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. The 2012 World Synchronized Skating Championships took place in Gothenburg, Sweden. 44 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 46 Olympic medals; more than any other country 186 World Championships medals won 52 World titles won by U.S. skaters More than 700 full member, collegiate and school-affiliated clubs 173,000 members 44 professional staff members at U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters More than 1,300 events sanctioned each year Always welcome PACIFIC NORTHWEST LOVES ITS FIGURE SKATING By Mimi Whetstone In 2002, Spokane, Wash., played host followed by stops in Everett, Wash., in 2008, and Portland, Ore., in 2010. Each of those events attracted more than 23,000 spectators, making them the top four highest-attended events in Skate America’s 31-year history. In addition to the area’s success at Skate America, the U.S. Championships has enjoyed similar success in the states of Washington and Oregon. In 2007, Spokane, Wash., hosted the competition and broke attendance records that stood until The Lilac City shattered the record again in the 2010 Olympic year. It was the first time that the U.S. Championships had been held in the same city within a fouryear Olympic cycle. Now, as Skate America returns to the Pacific Northwest, the area is primed to once again roll out the red carpet for figure skating’s best athletes. The following is a look back at some of those successful competitions held in the Pacific Northwest in the last 15 years. Michelle Kwan basks in the glory of her last U.S. Championships in 2005 in Portland, Ore. 46 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA USA VS. THE WORLD KENNEWICK, WASH. The world’s top skaters gathered at the Tri-Cities Coliseum in Kennewick, Wash., on Dec. 18, 1999, for the Keri Lotion — USA vs. The World Figure Skating Challenge. Organized and hosted by U.S. Figure Skating, the head-to-head competition featured a ladies and men’s event. The impressive field of 12 competitors won a combined 13 World titles, 12 U.S. titles and two Olympic gold medals between them. When U.S. Figure Skating released a media advisory almost a week before the competition, tickets to the event were already sold out. The event aired on ABC Sports on Jan. 9, 2000, as Americans Sarah Hughes and Michael Weiss brought a packed house to its feet, leading the U.S. to a 10-8 victory over the World Team. “This was such a great crowd,” Weiss said. “You could tell that a lot of people were really excited to be here.” Echoing Weiss’ sentiment, nearly every competitor commented on the fans’ enthusiasm and spirit. First-day ticket sales for the competition doubled the arena’s record, and event programs sold out 45 minutes after the doors opened. SKATE AMERICA TRIVIA 1) Where did Michelle Kwan win her final Skate America title? 2) Over the seven years that Michelle Kwan won her Skate America titles, how many 6.0s did she receive? 3) How many times has the United States swept the ladies event at Skate America? 4) How many times has the United States swept the men’s event? 5) How many times has the United States won the dance title? 1) In Spokane, Wash. Michelle Kwan won her seventh and last Skate America title in 2002; 2) Two 6.0s: One in the short program and one in the free skate at the 1999 Skate America held in Colorado Springs, Colo. 3) Two times: 1983 (Rochester, N.Y.) and 1996 (Springfield, Mass.); 4) Two times: 1988 (Portland, Maine) and 1992 (Atlanta, Ga.) 5) 14: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Fifty-two athletes representing 13 countries have made their way to Kent, Wash., for this weekend’s 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America. It marks the fourth time that the event has been held in the Pacific Northwest in the last decade. Yu-Na Kim of Korea waves to her legions of fans at 2008 Skate America in Everett, Wash. Evan Lysacek brings down the house at the 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash. The event included an ice dancing exhibition by 1999 World Junior champions and 1999 U.S. junior champions Jamie Silverstein and Justin Pekarek, and featured a special competitive appearance by skating legend Dorothy Hamill, who received a standing ovation. will protect the skaters better than the old system,” ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta said. “I love the event and enjoy participating in it," Hamill told ESPN. “Based on what you saw tonight, you can expect to see a lot of talent in skating for years to come.” 2002 SKATE AMERICA IN SPOKANE, WASH. At the beginning of a post-Olympic season, achieving high attendance would be a challenge for any competition, and that year, Skate America encountered several additional obstacles. Of the U.S. champions, only ice dancers Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev were originally entered, and they withdrew after Lang suffered an injury. U.S. pairs champions Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman did not compete in the eligible ranks that year, and though Michelle Kwan and Todd Eldredge both kept their eligibility, neither planned to enter any Grand Prix events. The event also marked the first use of an Interim Judging System, which temporarily bridged the gap between the old 6.0 system and the International Judging System (IJS) in place today. The transitory system was put in place to show that the ISU was doing something about the 2002 Olympic Winter Games scandal, in which Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia won the gold medal with a mistake-ridden free skate over Jamie Salé and David Pelletier of Canada, who performed a flawless program. Both teams eventually were awarded the gold medal. In addition to the American athletes, other top names pulled out right before the event as well. World ice dancing silver medalists ShaeLynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz of Canada withdrew because of tendonitis in Bourne’s Achilles tendon and Olympic champion Sarah Hughes of the U.S. tore a muscle the week before the event. “We were worried about the dropouts,” Toby Steward, co-chair of the local organizing committee, said. “Normally all the U.S. champions come to Skate America, but we exceeded all of our expectations. It’s been kind of like a big wedding where you can’t wait to go back and look at the photographs, because you’ve been too busy to take it all in.” Despite the obstacles and confusion, the overall attendance at the event was 28,664, shattering the record of 26,588 set in Portland, Maine, in 1986. 2007 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS, SPOKANE, WASH. The nation’s top skaters performed each day for an audience that filled every seat in Spokane Arena. Early in the week, when former U.S. Figure Skating President Ron Hershberger attended the novice compulsory dance event, the first competition of the week, he witnessed a packed house of more than 4,000 fans at Spokane’s Convention Center. As the event continued, a record 154,893 skating fans walked through the turnstiles during the week-long competition, breaking the previous record of 125,345 set in Los Angeles in 2002. “This U.S. Championships was one of the most successful in history in several respects,” Hershberger told SKATING magazine. “Not only to set the attendance record but to smash the previous high proves that wellmarketed figure skating events have limitless potential, and that the sport is vibrant and popular among fans of all ages.” Regardless of the results, competitors at every level had the opportunity to perform for a sold-out arena, an experience no one is likely to forget. “It was bigger than skating or gold medals, or silver medals, or bronze medals,” 2007 U.S. champion Evan Lysacek said. “It helped us as a sport to move forward.” U.S. Figure Skating considered the event to be the most popular in the U.S. Championships' 88-year history, largely because of the city’s immense enthusiasm and support. Spectators were treated to a hands-on Fanfest, free samples of Starbucks coffee and dozens of local restaurants and attractions in conjunction with the competition, making it not only a viewing event, but an interactive experience. “This has been an enormously welcoming city from the moment we arrived,” Hershberger said. “Everything has been perfect. The community spirit and involvement have been tremendous.” “We preferred to run the risk of creating confusion for the media and the spectators, rather than wait another year to do something that 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 47 2008 SKATE AMERICA, EVERETT, WASH. Once again, an all-time ticket sales record was set for the event as 29,477 spectators filled the seats at Comcast Arena, breaking Spokane’s 2002 record. “We’re thrilled that we were able to break the record,” said Laura Lee, co-president of Production Sports, the event’s local organizing committee. “We knew the fans would come out to support the event, but we never imagined we’d be able to break the record. It’s amazing that Everett now holds this honor.” The competition featured 60 athletes from 15 countries, including all of the 2008 U.S. champions. The record-breaking attendance generated more than $2.5 million of direct economic impact to the region. “2008 Skate America was a huge success,” Hershberger said. “The effort of the local organizing committee was evident in every facet of the competition. The competitors loved the hotel and the arena, and I know they would gladly return to Everett for this competition. And, as evidence of the public’s continuing interest in figure skating, we set an attendance record for Skate America. U.S. Figure Skating couldn’t be more pleased.” Ticket sales for the event began in March, and fans had the opportunity to purchase their seats from a large selection of packages, including all-event packs, single-event tickets and practice-session passes. When the threeday competition started, approximately 25,000 tickets had already been sold. As the event concluded, additional walk-up sales continued to boost the already abundant crowds for the ladies free skate and Skating Spectacular. “The Pacific Northwest has always been welcoming of our events and the athletes, and Everett was no exception,” Hershberger told the United States Olympic Committee. “This certainly is a testament to how the community of Everett has embraced this event.” bring high-profile skating events to the region,” Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell said. “In 2006, I met face-to-face with a site selector for the 2007 Championships to convey the merits of bringing the event to Spokane. The committee concluded that Spokane was indeed best-suited to host this national event in 2007, and Spokane went on to prove the committee right by shattering the previous attendance record. No wonder that just three years later the road to the Olympics are marked with yet another stop here in Spokane.” Despite the economic recession, tickets sales were high and approximately 13.7 million viewers watched NBC Sports’ coverage of the event. It aired in more than 125 countries and was available to nearly 500 million homes around the world through NBC, Universal Sports and icenetwork.com. “The success was even sweeter, as a result of having to overcome a number of significant obstacles, not the least of which was the largest recession since the Great Depression,” event organizer Barb Beddor said. “To achieve success under the circumstances was a wonderful victory for our community and the 700 amazing volunteers.” As it did in 2007, the U.S. Championships included a variety of audience participation features, including “Skate Radio,” free personal ear pieces with access to NBC Sports, icenetwork.com and expert analysis of the seniorlevel events, and “You Be the Judge,” a daily experience at Fan Fest that simulated what it is like to sit on the judges and technical panels. “We were so proud of Spokane,” Beddor said. “Everybody did their part to make our city shine in the national spotlight. Spokane is a magical place with wonderful people, a perfect venue for figure skating and the best figure skating fans anywhere.” 2010 SKATE AMERICA, PORTLAND, ORE. Fifty-eight athletes representing 15 countries made their way to Portland, Ore., in November for the city’s first international event. Skate America took place at the Rose Garden Arena, which also served as the site of the 2005 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships. “We are pleased to award this competition to Portland,” U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter said. “The community showed its overwhelming support for the U.S. Championships in 2005, and we’re delighted that the athletes and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to experience all Portland has to offer.” Following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the area had already successfully generated a following of spectators, which the arena more than accommodated. “With the Olympics being held in the Pacific Northwest, the region is ready and excited for another opportunity to host an event of this caliber,” said Chris Oxley, general manager of the Rose Quarter, the district in which the Rose Garden is located. Approximately 12,800 spectators attended the competition, which bettered the previous year’s attendance in Lake Placid, N.Y. The competition was broadcast on NBC and Universal Sports for the third consecutive year, and included 14 hours of live coverage. Now, as the world’s best head to Kent for 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America, local officials are prepared to carry the torch passed to them by the Pacific Northwest. Up to the challenge, the ShoWare Center offers a seating capacity of 3,940 for five ticketed sessions as athletes, fans, coaches and officials fill the arena. “This arena and this community are ready,” Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke told the Seattle Times. 2010 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS, SPOKANE, WASH. For the Olympic qualifying year of 2010, the U.S. Championships returned to Spokane a second time. Attendance for the 10-day event totaled 158,170, beating the record previously set in the same arena just three years prior. “I’ve long-supported Spokane’s efforts to 48 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto perform in front of a packed house at Spokane Arena at the 2010 U.S. Championships. PHOTO BY MICHELLE HARVATH A family tradition Musselman’s Apple Sauce Family Skating Tribute presented by Caesars Atlantic City kicks off the Pandora NBC Skating Series, which consists of four two-hour specials produced by Disson Skating that will start airing on NBC in November. Jewel, a four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, will perform live in this familythemed show featuring such skating stars as Olympic champions Ekaterina Gordeeva and Ilia Kulik along with two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan and many more. All of the skaters, and Jewel herself, are parents, and both children and parents will be featured in the show. The show, which airs Nov. 18, originates from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. and will be hosted by Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi and three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss. Olympic champion Brian Boitano and multiplatinum music artists Mannheim Steamroller will be joined by former World champions Elvis Stojko, Yuka Sato and Kimmie Meissner as well as reigning U.S. champion Ashley Wagner, 2011 U.S. champion Alissa Czisny and others in Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice on Nov. 10 at Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix at 7 p.m. Mannheim Steamroller will perform live for the entire show and will be joined on some songs by Megan Hilty, star of NBC’s musical drama “Smash,” who is working on a new album to be released in late 2012. This show, which will be hosted by Yamaguchi, Weiss DISSON SPECIALS CREATE HOLIDAY MAGIC Pandora NBC Skating Series (Check your local TV listings) AIR DATE EVENT TIME/ET Nov. 18 Musselman’s Apple Sauce Family Skating Tribute 4–6 p.m. Nov. 25 Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice 4–6 p.m. Jan. 19 Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular 4–6 p.m. Jan. 27 Pandora Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice 2–4 p.m. and the founder of Mannheim Steamroller, Chip Davis, will be nationally broadcast on NBC during Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25. Fresh Beat Band of Nickelodeon’s “Fresh Beat Band” and Ross Lynch of Disney’s “Austin and Ally,” with his band R5. Olympic medalists Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas, Danell Leyva, Jordyn Wieber and Alexandra (Aly) Raisman will join 2008 Olympic allaround gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin and a cast of 2014 Sochi figure skating hopefuls when the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular comes to Jamestown Savings Bank Arena in Jamestown, N.Y., on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Olympic champions Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci and Peggy Fleming will host the show, which will be nationally telecast on Jan. 19 on NBC. The figure skating cast will be made up of World champions and 2010 Olympic ice dance silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, reigning U.S. champions Jeremy Abbott and Ashley Wagner, two-time U.S. champion Alissa Czisny, 2011 World ice dance bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani, reigning U.S. silver medalist Adam Rippon and up-and-coming elite skater Gracie Gold. Performing live during the show will also be The Pandora NBC Skating Series wraps up on Jan. 27 with Pandora Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice, a Valentine’s Day show taping at ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash. on Jan. 11, starring Barry Manilow with a skating cast which includes Nancy Kerrigan, Michael Weiss, Elvis Stojko and Liz Manley. “Once again we have a great lineup of shows as part of the Pandora NBC Skating Series,” president of Disson Skating Steve Disson said. “I think this is going to be one of our strongest lineups of shows to date.” For complete cast and live show ticket information on the Pandora NBC Skating Series specials, go to www.dissonskating.com. From left, Nancy Kerrigan, Jeremy Abbott and Nastia Liukin. 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Our mission, to provide a superior product and exceptional service, is a reality that happens every day. Incredible drivers, support staff and industry leading equipment all come together to make us proud of our company. We provide the following expertise: Evening Dinner & Entertainment 5:00pm - 11:00pm • Charter Service • Convention & Meeting Planners • Professional & Collegiate Athletics • Tour Series 211 First Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 253-335-6951 “Welcome Skate America” 1.800.975.0464 | T: 206.838.7120 | F: 206.621.9750 [email protected] | www.mtrwestern.com Discover Downtown Kent Dine, shop, and explore Downtown Kent, just a short walk from ShoWare Center! The charming Historic District features unique shops and places for dining among Kent’s oldest buildings and parks. Check out Kent Station for more shops, entertainment, and restaurants. Visit downtownkentwa.com to find out what else is going on in Downtown Kent today. WELCOME SKATE FANS! Kent and our hospitality providers hope you enjoy your stay and look forward to seeing you again soon. LADIES 2011 GOLD Ontario, CA Alissa Czisny (USA) 177.48 SILVER Carolina Kostner (ITA) 177.35 BRONZE Viktoria Helgeson (SWE) 145.75 2010 Portland, OR Kanako Murakami (JPN) 164.93 Rachael Flatt (USA) 162.86 Carolina Kostner (ITA) 154.87 2009 Lake Placid, NY Yu-Na Kim (KOR) 187.98 Rachael Flatt (USA) 174.91 Julia Sebestyen (HUN) 159.03 2008 Everett, WA Yu-Na Kim (KOR) 193.45 Yukari Nakano (JPN) 172.53 Miki Ando (JPN) 168.42 2007 Reading, PA Kimmie Meissner (USA) 163.23 Miki Ando (JPN) 161.89 Caroline Zhang (USA) 153.35 2006 Hartford, CT Miki Ando (JPN) 192.59 Kimmie Meissner (USA) 177.78 Mao Asada (JPN) 171.23 2005 Atlantic City, NJ Elena Sokolova (RUS) 163.02 Alissa Czisny (USA) 159.30 Yoshie Onda (JPN) 150.98 2004 Pittsburgh, PA Angela Nikodinov (USA) 149.50 Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN) 144.40 Miki Ando (JPN) 142.62 2003 Reading, PA Sasha Cohen (USA) Jennifer Kirk (USA) Shizuka Arakawa (JPN) 2002 Spokane, WA Michelle Kwan (USA) Ann Patrice McDonough (USA) Elena Liashenko (UKR) 2001 Colo. Springs, CO Michelle Kwan (USA) Sarah Hughes (USA) Viktoria Volchkova (RUS) 2000 Colo. Springs, CO Michelle Kwan (USA) Sarah Hughes (USA) Elena Sokolova (RUS) 1999 Colo. Springs, CO Michelle Kwan (USA) Julia Soldatova (RUS) Elena Sokolova (RUS) 1998 Detroit, MI Maria Butyrskaya (RUS) Elena Sokolova (RUS) Angela Nikodinov (USA) 1997 Detroit, MI Michelle Kwan (USA) Tara Lipinski (USA) Elena Sokolova (RUS) 1996 Springfield, MA Michelle Kwan (USA) Tonia Kwiatkowski (USA) Sydne Vogel (USA) 1995 Detroit, MI Michelle Kwan (USA) Chen Lu (CHN) Irina Slutskaya (RUS) 1994 Pittsburgh, PA Surya Bonaly (FRA) Michelle Kwan (USA) Irina Slutskaya (RUS) 1993 Dallas, TX Oksana Baiul (UKR) Surya Bonaly (FRA) Tonya Harding (USA) 1992 Atlanta, GA Yuka Sato (JPN) Nancy Kerrigan (USA) Chen Lu (CHN) 1991 Oakland, CA Tonya Harding (USA) Kristi Yamaguchi (USA) Surya Bonaly (FRA) 1990 Buffalo, NY Kristi Yamaguchi (USA) Midori Ito (JPN) Tonia Kwiatkowski (USA) 1989 Indianapolis, IN Tonya Harding (USA) Jill Trenary (USA) Simone Lang (GDR) 1988 Portland, ME Claudia Leistner (FRG) Midori Ito (JPN) Kristi Yamaguchi (USA) 1986 Portland, ME Tiffany Chin (USA) Tonya Harding (USA) Agnes Gosselin (FRA) Katrien Pauwels (BEL) 1985 St. Paul, MN Debi Thomas (USA) Tracey Wainman (CAN) 1983 Rochester, NY Tiffany Chin (USA) Jill Frost (USA) Kelly Webster (USA) 1982 Lake Placid, NY Rosalynn Sumners (USA) Claudia Leistner (FRG) Kriistina Wegelius (FIN) 1981 Lake Placid, NY Vikki de Vries (USA) Elaine Zayak (USA) Claudia Kristofics-Binder (AUT) 1979 Lake Placid, NY Lisa-Marie Allen (USA) Susan Driano (ITA) Sandy Lenz (USA) MEN 2011 GOLD Ontario, CA Michal Brezina (CZE) 216.00 SILVER Kevin Van Der Perren (BEL) 212.48 BRONZE Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) 212.09 2010 Portland, OR Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) 227.07 Nobunari Oda (JPN) 226.09 Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA) 211.17 2009 Lake Placid, NY Evan Lysacek (USA) 237.72 Shawn Sawyer (CAN) 203.91 Ryan Bradley (USA) 198.12 2008 Everett, WA Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) 226.18 Johnny Weir (USA) 225.20 Evan Lysacek (USA) 223.21 2007 Reading, PA Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) 228.97 Evan Lysacek (USA) 220.08 Patrick Chan (CAN) 213.33 2006 Hartford, CT Nobunari Oda (JPN) 231.39 Evan Lysacek (USA) 221.09 Alban Preaubert (FRA) 212.67 2005 Atlantic City, NJ Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) 218.54 Evan Lysacek (USA) 193.71 Brian Joubert (FRA) 190.28 2004 Pittsburgh, PA Brian Joubert (FRA) 193.46 Ryan Jahnke (USA) 186.71 Michael Weiss (USA) 179.56 2003 Reading, PA Michael Weiss (USA) Takeshi Honda (JPN) Min Zhang (CHN) 2002 Spokane, WA Brian Joubert (FRA) Alexander Abt (RUS) Matt Savoie (USA) 2001 Colo. Springs, CO Timothy Goebel (USA) Takeshi Honda (JPN) Alexander Abt (RUS) 2000 Colo. Springs, CO Timothy Goebel (USA) Alexei Yagudin (RUS) Todd Eldredge (USA) 1999 Colo. Springs, CO Alexei Yagudin (RUS) Timothy Goebel (USA) Elvis Stojko (CAN) 1998 Detroit, MI Alexei Yagudin (RUS) Michael Weiss (USA) Alexei Urmanov (RUS) 1997 Detroit, MI Todd Eldredge (USA) Evgeny Plushenko (RUS) Alexander Abt (RUS) 1996 Springfield, MA Todd Eldredge (USA) Alexei Urmanov (RUS) Alexei Yagudin (RUS) 1995 Detroit, MI Todd Eldredge (USA) Michael Weiss (USA) Alexander Abt (RUS) 1994 Pittsburgh, PA Todd Eldredge (USA) Philippe Candeloro (FRA) Eric Millot (FRA) 1993 Dallas, TX Viktor Petrenko (UKR) Brian Boitano (USA) Alexei Urmanov (RUS) 1992 Atlanta, GA Todd Eldredge (USA) Scott Davis (USA) Mark Mitchell (USA) 1991 Oakland, CA Christopher Bowman (USA) Petr Barna (CZE) Todd Eldredge (USA) 1990 Buffalo, NY Viktor Petrenko (URS) Christopher Bowman (USA) Todd Eldredge (USA) 1989 Indianapolis, IN Christopher Bowman (USA) Viktor Petrenko (URS) Kurt Browning (CAN) 1988 Portland, ME Christopher Bowman (USA) Daniel Doran (USA) Todd Eldredge (USA) 1986 Portland, ME Brian Boitano (USA) Viktor Petrenko (URS) Daniel Doran (USA) Viktor Petrenko (URS) 1985 St. Paul, MN Jozef Sabovcik (CZE) Brian Boitano (USA) 1983 Rochester, NY Brian Boitano (USA) Rudi Cerne (FRG) Bobby Beauchamp (USA) 1982 Lake Placid, NY Scott Hamilton (USA) Heiko Fischer (FRG) Jozef Sabovcik (CZE) 1981 Lake Placid, NY Scott Hamilton (USA) Robert Wagenhoffer (USA) Brian Boitano (US 1979 Lake Placid, NY Scott Hamilton (USA) Scott Cramer (USA) Jan Hoffmann (EGR) (Event not held in 1980, 1984, 1987) 54 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA PAIRS GOLD SILVER BRONZE 2011 Ontario, CA Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) 183.98 Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN) 178.66 Kirsten Moore-Towers/Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) 177.43 2010 Portland, OR Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) 197.70 Kirsten Moore-Towers/Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) 175.48 Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) 170.07 2009 Lake Placid, NY Xue Shen/Hongbo Zhao (CHN) 201.40 Tatiana Volosozhar/ Stanislav Morozov (UKR) 171.82 Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN) 168.19 2008 Everett, WA Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) 180.77 Keauna McLaughlin/Rockne Brubaker (USA) 172.69 Maria Mukhortova/ Maxim Trankov (RUS) 167.67 2007 Reading, PA Jessica Dubé/Bryce Davison (CAN) 173.26 Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN) 165.19 Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov (RUS) 159.58 2006 Hartford, CT Rena Inoue/ John Baldwin (USA) 169.90 Dorota Siudek/ Mariusz Siudek (POL) 161.47 Naomi Nari Nam/ Themi Leftheris (USA) 161.32 2005 Atlantic City, NJ Dan Zhang/ Hao Zhang (CHN) 179.14 Rena Inoue/ John Baldwin (USA) 164.44 Julia Obertas/ Sergei Slavnov (RUS) 160.40 2004 Pittsburgh, PA Dan Zhang/ Hao Zhang (CHN) 166.86 Julia Obertas/ Sergei Slavnov (RUS) 166.26 Rena Inoue/ John Baldwin (USA) 158.10 2003 Reading, PA Qing Pang/ Jian Tong (CHN) Maria Petrova/ Alexei Tikhonov (RUS) Dan Zhang/ Hao Zhang (CHN) 2002 Spokane, WA Tatiana Totmianina/ Maxim Marinin (RUS) Annabelle Langlois/ Patrice Archetto (CAN) Qing Pang/ Jian Tong (CHN) 2001 Colo. Springs, CO Jamie Salé/ David Pelletier (CAN) Kyoko Ina/ John Zimmerman (USA) Tatiana Totmianina/ Maxim Marinin (RUS) 2000 Colo. Springs, CO Jamie Salé/ David Pelletier (CAN) Xue Shen/ Hongbo Zhao (CHN) Tatiana Totmianina/ Maxim Marinin (RUS) 1999 Colo. Springs, CO Jamie Salé/ David Pelletier (CAN) Sarah Abitbol / Stephane Bernadis (FRA) Elena Berezhnaya/ Anton Sikharulidze (RUS) 1998 Detroit, MI Elena Berezhnaya/ Anton Sikharulidze (RUS) Kristy Sargeant/ Kris Wirtz (CAN) Victoria Maksuta/ Vladislav Zhonirski (RUS) 1997 Detroit, MI Marina Eltsova/ Andrei Bushkov (RUS) Kyoko Ina/ Jason Dungjen (USA) Evgenia Shishkova/ Vadim Naumov (RUS) 1996 Springfield, MA Oksana Kazakova/ Artur Dmitriev (RUS) Shelby Lyons/ Brian Wells (USA) Stephanie Stiegler/ John Zimmerman (USA) 1995 Detroit, MI Marina Eltsova/ Andrei Bushkov (RUS) Jenni Meno/ Todd Sand (USA) Elena Berezhnaya/ Oleg Shliakhov (LAT) 1994 Pittsburgh, PA Marina Eltsova/ Andrei Bushkov (RUS) Evgenia Shishkova/ Vadim Naumov (RUS) Radka Kovarikova/ Rene Novotny (CZE) 1993 Dallas, TX Evgenia Shishkova/ Vadim Naumov (RUS) Kyoko Ina/ Jason Dungjen (USA) Karen Courtland/ Todd Reynolds (USA) 1992 Atlanta, GA Marina Eltsova/ Andrei Bushkov (RUS) Radka Kovarikova/ Rene Novotny (CZE) Evgenia Shishkova/ Vadim Naumov (RUS) 1991 Oakland, CA Calla Urbanski/ Rocky Marval (USA) Elena Nikonova/ Nickoli Apter (URS) Peggy Schwarz/ Alexander Koenig (GER) 1990 Buffalo, NY Marina Eltsova/ Andrei Bushkov (URS) Radka Kovarikova/ Rene Novotny (CZE) Mandy Wotzel/ Axel Rauschenbach (FRG) 1989 Indianapolis, IN Natalia Mishkutionok/ Artur Dmitriev (URS) Kristi Yamaguchi/ Rudy Galindo (USA) Peggy Schwarz/ Alexander Koenig (GDR) 1988 Portland, ME Natalia Mishkutionok/ Artur Dmitriev (URS) Marina Eltsova/ Sergei Zaitsev (URS) Natalie Seybold/ Wayne Seybold (USA) 1986 Portland, ME Katy Keeley/ Joseph Mero (USA) Denise Benning/ Lyndon Johnston (CAN) Ludmila Koblova/ Andrei Kalitin (CAN) 1985 St. Paul, MN Jill Watson/ Peter Oppegard (USA) Elena Bechke/ Valeri Kornienko (URS) Gillian Wachsman/ Todd Waggoner (USA) 1983 Rochester, NY Caitlin Carruthers/ Peter Carruthers (USA) Jill Watson/ Burt Lancon (USA) Melinda Kunhegyi/ Lyndon Johnston (CAN) 1982 Lake Placid, NY Elena Valova/ Oleg Vasiliev (URS) Lea Ann Miller/ William Fauver (USA) Nellie Chervotkina/ Victor Teslya (URS) 1981 Lake Placid, NY Barbara Underhill/ Paul Martini (CAN) Caitlin Carruthers/ Peter Carruthers (USA) Elena Valova/ Oleg Vasiliev (URS) 1979 Lake Placid, NY Sabine Baesz/Tassilo Thierbach (EGR) Caitlin Carruthers/Peter Carruthers (USA) Vicki Heasley/Robert Wagenhoffer (USA) ICE DANCING GOLD SILVER BRONZE 2011 Ontario, CA Meryl Davis/ Charlie White (USA) 178.07 Nathalie Pechalat/ Fabian Bourzat (FRA) 156.29 Isabella Tobias/Deividas Stagniunas (LTU) 132.58 2010 Portland, OR Meryl Davis/ Charlie White (USA) 156.58 Vanessa Crone/ Paul Poirier (CAN) 149.08 Maia Shibutani/ Alex Shibutani (USA) 144.82 2009 Lake Placid, NY Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) 195.85 Anna Cappellini/ Luca Lanotte (ITA) 171.86 Alexandra Zaretski/ Roman Zaretski (ISR) 171.77 2008 Everett, WA Isabelle Delobel/Olivier Schoenfelder (FRA) 187.64 Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA) 186.53 Sinead Kerr/ John Kerr (GBR) 180.20 2007 Reading, PA Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) 192.95 Nathalie Pechalat/ Fabian Bourzat (FRA) 181.84 Federica Faiella/ Massimo Scali (ITA) 172.28 2006 Hartford, CT Albena Denkova/ Maxim Staviski (BUL) 201.58 Melissa Gregory/ Denis Petukhov (USA) 180.98 Nathalie Pechalat/ Fabian Bourzat (FRA) 167.28 2005 Atlantic City, NJ Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) 190.45 Isabelle Delobel/ Olivier Schoenfelder (FRA) 184.47 Oksana Domnina/ Maxim Shabalin (RUS) 169.23 2004 Pittsburgh, PA Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) 212.87 Galit Chait/ Sergei Sakhnovski (ISR) 204.32 Megan Wing/ Aaron Lowe (CAN) 178.60 2003 Reading, PA Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) Elena Grushina/ Ruslan Goncharov (UKR) Isabelle Delobel/ Olivier Schenfelder (FRA) 2002 Spokane, WA Elena Grushina/ Ruslan Goncharov (UKR) Tatiana Navka/ Roman Kostomarov (RUS) Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto (USA) 2001 Colo. Springs, CO Shae-Lynn Bourne/ Victor Kraatz (CAN) Galit Chait/ Sergei Sakhnovsky (ISR) Margarita Drobiazko/ Povilas Vanagas (LTU) 2000 Colo. Springs, CO Barbara Fusar-Poli/ Maurizio Margaglio (ITA) Margarita Drobiazko/ Povilas Vanagas (LTU) Shae-Lynn Bourne/ Victor Kraatz (CAN) 1999 Colo. Springs, CO Barbara Fusar-Poli/ Maurizio Margaglio (ITA) Irina Lobacheva/ Ilia Averbukh (RUS) Naomi Lang/ Peter Tchernyshev (USA) 1998 Detroit, MI Marina Anissina/ Gwendal Peizerat (FRA) Irina Lobacheva/ Ilia Averbukh (RUS) Barbara Fusar-Poli/ Maurizio Margaglio (ITA) 1997 Detroit, MI Elizabeth Punsalan/ Jerod Swallow (USA) Barbara Fusar-Poli/ Maurizio Margaglio (ITA) Anna Semenovich/ Vladimir Federov (RUS) 1996 Springfield, MA Anjelika Krylova/ Oleg Ovsyannikov (RUS) Irina Lobacheva/ Ilia Averbukh (RUS) Sophie Moniotte/ Pascal Lavanchy (FRA) 1995 Detroit, MI Oksana Grishuk/ Evgeny Platov (RUS) Anjelika Krylova/ Oleg Ovsyannikov (RUS) Renee Roca/ Gorsha Sur (USA) 1994 Pittsburgh, PA Elizabeth Punsalan/ Jerod Swallow (USA) Marina Anissina/ Gwendal Peizerat (FRA) Elizaveta Stekolnikova/ Dmitri Kazarliga (KZK) 1993 Dallas, TX Sophie Moniotte/ Pascal Lavanchy (FRA) Katerina Mrazova/ Martin Simecek (CZE) Renee Roca/ Gorsha Sur (USA) 1992 Atlanta, GA Maia Usova/ Alexander Zhulin (RUS) Sophie Moniotte/ Pascal Lavanchy (FRA) Elizabeth Punsalan/ Jerod Swallow (USA) 1991 Oakland, CA Tatiana Navka/ Samvel Gezalian (URS) Susanna Rahkomo/ Petri Kokko (FIN) Dominique Yvon/ Frederic Palluel (FRA) 1990 Buffalo, NY Stefania Calegari/ Pasquale Camerlengo (ITA) Isabelle Sarech/ Xavier Debernis (FRA) Illona Meinchenko/ Gennadi Kaskov (URS) 1989 Indianapolis, IN Maia Usova/ Alexander Zhulin (URS) April Sargent/ Russ Witherby (USA) Jo-Anne Borlase/ Martin Smith (CAN) 1988 Portland, ME Susan Wynne/ Joseph Druar (USA) Svetlana Lyapina/ Georgi Sur (URS) Renee Roca/ James Yorke (USA) 1986 Portland, ME Isabelle Duchesnay/ Paul Duchesnay (FRA) Suzanne Semanick/ Scott Gregory (USA) Jo-Anne Borlase/ Scott Chalmers (CAN) 1985 St. Paul, MN Renee Roca/ Donald Adair (USA) Irina Zhuk / Oleg Petrov (URS) Antonia Becherer/ Ferdinand Becherer (FRG) 1983 Rochester, NY Elisa Spitz/ Scott Gregory (USA) Kelly Johnson/ John Thomas (CAN) Wendy Sessions/ Stephen Williams (GBR) 1982 Lake Placid, NY Elisa Spitz/ Scott Gregory (USA) Elena Garanina/ Igor Zavozin (URS) Karyn Garossino/ Rod Garossino (CAN) 1981 Lake Placid, NY Judy Blumberg/ Michael Seibert (USA) Elena Garanina/ Igor Zavozin (URS) Karen Barber/ Nicky Slater (GBR) 1979 Lake Placid, NY Kriszina Regoczy/Andras Sallay (HUN) Natalia Bestemianova/Andrei Bukin (URS) Lorna Wighton/John Dowding (CAN) (Event not held in 1980, 1984, 1987) 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 55 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Every adventure needs a homebase. SeaƩle Southside puts you close to the acƟon without the downtown price. Call or visit the Visitor Center for your free, full service concierge assistance to learn more about events, aƩracƟons, restaurants and hotel deals in the greater SeaƩle region. Located one block east the of Link Light Rail StaƟon at the Airport. SEATTLE SOUTHSIDE VISIOTR CE Southside to Downtown SeaƩle in minutes! 3100 S 176th St., Sea�le, WA 1(877) 885 Sea�leSouthside It’s not the table, or the way it’s set. It’s the magic that happens at the table when families come together. This is where traditions begin and values are learned—building self-esteem, achieving better grades and learning good eating habits. Your family table is a very special place. It’s a place where not only flavors and tastes are shared, but comfort and a sense of belonging surround you. The J. M. Smucker Company and our family of brands are happy to play a small part in bringing you together to share memorable meals and moments. Visit us online to discover more about how family meals matter. www.PowerOfFamilyMeals.com SM © The J.M. Smucker Company. App Store is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. The Hadley family: A Seattle skating legacy By Patricia Shelley Bushman The Seattle skating community has been home to several elite-level pairs teams, including 1950 World champions Peter and Karol Kennedy and three-time World bronze medalists Ron and Cindy Kauffman. Sandwiched between these sister-andbrother teams was another sibling team perhaps not as well-known as they had not reached their prime before their tragic death more than 50 years ago. On Feb. 15, 1961, the plane carrying the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team crashed in Brussels, Belgium, en route to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Seattle’s Ila Ray Hadley and Ray Hadley, Jr., perished along with 16 teammates, as well as four officials, six family members and six coaches, including their coach and step-mother Linda Hart Hadley. Ray Hadley, Sr., had been a roller skating and ice skating coach in Oregon. Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., were 4 and 3 years old, respectively, when their father taught them to ice skate and roller skate. When the Hadleys moved to Seattle, they arrived just in time to see the 1951 U.S. Championships. The highlight for the youngsters was watching the World champion Kennedys win their fourth U.S. pairs title. Soon after the family moved to Seattle, Ray and his wife, Bette, the mother of Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., divorced, and Ray assumed custody of the children. Ray coached at the Seattle Civic Center and worked at Boeing while he built up his roster of ice skating students. He also taught roller skating at the Ridge, where Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., were frequent visitors. In 1954 the lives of the Hadleys changed dramatically when Ray married Alvah Lynn “Linda” Hart, a skating coach Ray had worked with in Oregon. She began teaching alongside her husband at the Seattle Civic Center and became a coach and stepmother to Ila Ray, 11, and Ray, Jr., 10. The Hadley siblings had competed in many local competitions, but when Linda began coaching the kids, they started to medal. From the beginning, the Hadley siblings competed in singles, pairs and dance, but it was clear that they excelled in pairs. In 1957, they traveled to Berkeley, Calif., for the U.S. Championships. The youngest in the field at 14 and 13, they surprised everyone when they won the U.S. junior pairs title. Building on that momentum, Linda took Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., along with the Kauffman pairs team and their parents, on a cross-country exhibition tour. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to perform in front of many judges and spectators across the nation. U.S. Figure Skating then extended an invitation PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA ADAMS GARL Ila Ray and Ray Jr. had the hometown crowd on their side at the 1960 U.S. Championships in Seattle, where they made the Olympic and World teams. Ila Ray and Ray Hadley, Jr., 58 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE GANSON LANE Patricia Shelley Bushman is the author of Indelible Tracings: The Story of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team, which can be found on Amazon.com. Except for time at school, Ila Ray and Ray Jr. were rarely apart from their parents. (l-r) Ila Ray, Linda Hart Hadley, Ray Hadley Sr., Ray Jr. to the Hadley siblings to perform exhibitions after the 1958 World Championships in Paris. The Hadley trajectory stalled suddenly when they advanced to the senior ranks, placing fourth in both 1958 and 1959. Their practice regimen stepped into high gear prior to the 1960 U.S. Championships for two important reasons: the competition would be held in Seattle, and it was an Olympic year. However, Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., had a tremendous work ethic and had never wavered. Linda Hadley, who had served a brief stint in the U.S. Army before marrying Ray, was known by all her students as a no-nonsense coach, but she was particularly tough on her own children. Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., were always at the rink, before and after school, staying late until both parents were done coaching. Besides training at the Civic Center, they skated at the Ballard rink, the Tacoma rink and made weekend journeys to an outdoor rink in Yakima, which Ray and Linda also managed. Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., finally made the giant leap into the senior ranks when they placed third at the 1960 U.S. Championships and earned a berth on the 1960 Olympic Team. However, Squaw Valley’s high altitude affected many competitors, including the Hadleys, and they placed 11th. Looking toward the future, the siblings said: “This one [was] for experience. Our goal now is to be the first Seattle pair to win an Olympic gold medal.” In 1960, Ray and Linda purchased land to build their own ice studio — the first in the Northwest. Many skating families helped them build the studio, from pouring wheelbarrows full of sand onto the ice surface to painting the interior. In November 1960, the new Hadley and Hart Studio opened at Aurora and 98th. Weeks later Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., performed in the annual Ice Parade show at the Seattle Civic Center. They had been perennial favorites, but as returning Olympians they were the stars of the show. In January 1961, the Hadleys traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., to compete at the U.S. Championships at the Broadmoor World Arena. Performing to tunes from My Fair Lady, the Hadleys’ program reflected many of the innovative moves created by Linda Hadley, including Axels into a flying camel spin. Their high marks, which placed them close to champions Maribel Y. Owen and Dudley Richards, left them in second and earned them a berth on the 1961 World Team. Returning to Seattle, the Hadleys faced a new dilemma. U.S. Figure Skating only paid travel costs for the champions; all other teammates had to pay their own way. Coaches Ray and Linda wanted to attend the competition with their children, but the total cost was close to $2,500. Team manager Deane McMinn soon learned that Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., might not be able to afford to go to Prague, and World Team alternates Ron Joseph and Vivian Joseph of Chicago were contacted to get ready to go. The Seattle skating community took action immediately — holding bake sales, supporting exhibition fundraisers and donating to a money jar at the Hadley and Hart Studio. In the end, the Seattle Skating Club loaned the family enough money to allow them to travel to Prague. Linda, Ila Ray and Ray, Jr., left Seattle on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for the 1961 North American Championships in Philadelphia, where the Hadleys placed fourth. Two days later they boarded Sabena flight 548 at Idlewild (now JFK) Airport for Europe. Ray, who had stayed behind to run the studio, planned to join his family at the end of the week. On the morning of Feb. 15, Ray received the devastating news that his family had perished when the plane crashed in a farm field just three miles north of the Zaventem Airport in Brussels. Bombarded by reporters, Ray said: “We should have gone together.” The Seattle Skating Club remembered the young siblings by creating a Hadley skating scholarship, and the Hadleys were also listed on two memorial Pacific Coast pairs trophies. The greatest legacy, however, has been the Memorial Fund, which was founded just one week after the devastating crash to help future generations of skaters. Now in its 51st year, the Memorial Fund has helped thousands of American skaters, including those skaters who have won 26 Olympic medals and 120 World medals. The Memorial Fund also permanently remembers the loss of a generation of great skating talent that was never fully realized, including Seattle’s own Ila Ray and Ray Hadley, Jr. 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 59 Understanding the International Judging System The international judging system (IJS) is used at all ISU competitions as well as most U.S. Figure Skating qualifying events. The IJS is based on cumulative points achieved during each skater’s/team’s performance. Under the IJS, points are awarded for a technical score combined with points awarded for five program components — skating skills, transitions/linking footwork and movement, performance/execution, choreography/composition and interpretation. Penalties are given for program length violations and other violations. If a skater performs more than the defined “well-balanced program elements,” there are no deductions, but the additional elements will not be calculated into the skater’s score. If a skater performs less than the required elements, he or she receives fewer points, but not deductions. (The exception to this is ice dancing, which takes a 1.0 deduction for each extra element.) Judges no longer compare skaters and figure out where to place them. Instead, they evaluate the qualities of each performance. Starting order does not impact a skater’s score. A skater can win coming from a lower position. A maximum of nine judges make up the judges panel at a competition. At ISU events, the judges’ identities will not be associated with their scores: only the reviewers will know who gave which scores. For U.S. competitions, all judges’ scores and names are public. The IJS also uses a trimmed mean method, where the high and low points are ignored and the average of the remaining points is calculated. HOW IT WORKS — THE PLAYERS A “technical panel” with five people works as a team and has direct communication. These positions are a technical controller, technical specialist, assistant technical specialist, data operator and video replay operator. During each performance, the technical specialist identifies the elements and the level of difficulty of each element, if applicable, as defined by the ISU. This allows the judge to concentrate on marking the quality of each element. Their marks are based on set criteria for each element and provide a comprehensive assessment of each skater’s skills and performance. The technical controller and a second technical specialist support the primary technical specialist to ensure that all elements are identified correctly. Any element can be reviewed either by the technical controller, the technical specialist, the assistant technical specialist or the judges. Final decisions on elements and levels are determined by the majority opinion of the three technical positions. Both specialists and the controller are recorded with an audio tape during each program, and video will be available to verify the calls. The elements can be reviewed after a skater’s performance, and scores can be changed accordingly. The scores are final once they are posted and announced to the public. Under the IJS, the judges focus completely on scoring the quality of each technical element and the five program components for each skater. The computer keeps track of comparative scores, records results and calculates totals to determine rankings. Many of the top judges and officials in the world are here in Kent, Wash., this weekend to work the kickoff event of the Grand Prix Series. 60 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA TECHNICAL SCORE In the technical score, each element of the program is assigned a base value. A group of experts, including experienced skaters and coaches, have determined the base value of each technical element. These base values give the skaters credit for every element they perform. Some elements such as spins and step sequences have levels of difficulty on which the base values are established. During the program, when a skater Technical panel officials and judges play vital roles at all U.S. Figure Skating events. executes an element, the technical specialist identifies the element. The judge then grades the quality of the Criteria: Balance, rhythmic knee action and Choreography: Composition: Intentional, element within a range of +3 to -3, which is precision of foot placement; flow and effort- original arrangement of moves. added to or deducted from the base value. less glide; cleanness and sureness of deep Criteria: Purpose (idea, concept, vision); proFor instance, a double Axel’s base value is 3.3, edges, steps and turns; power/energy and ac- portion (equal weight of all parts); unity (purso a skater has the potential to earn 4.8 points celeration; mastery of multi-directional and poseful threading); utilization of personal for that jump or as little as 1.8. In this exam- one-foot skating; equal mastery of technique and public space; pattern and ice coverage; ple, the positive and negative grades are 0.5 by both partners shown in unison (pairs and phrasing and form (movements and parts ice dancing); ice coverage (ice dancing). points each. structured to match the phrasing of the muThe sum of all elements with the grade of ex- Transitions/Linking Footwork & Move- sic); originality of purpose, movement and ecution forms the technical score. The base ment: The varied and/or intricate footwork, design; shared responsibility in achieving values for all elements are included in the positions, movement and holds that link all purpose (pairs and ice dancing); conformity elements. to pattern and stop requirements (ice dancISU’s Scale of Values chart. ing). The judging panel’s scores for each program Criteria: Variety; difficulty; intricacy; quality component are multiplied by a set factor to (unison in pairs and ice dancing); balance of Interpretation: The personal and creative ensure the technical score and the program workload between partners; variety of holds translation of the rhythm and/or character and content of the music to the physical component score are approximately bal- (ice dancing). anced. The technical score is added to the Performance/Execution: The involvement movements on ice. program component scores. The skater with of the skater(s) physically, emotionally and in- Criteria: Effortless movement in time to the the highest competition score is declared the tellectually in translating the music and cho- music; expression of the music’s style, characwinner. For more information about the IJS, reography. Execution is the quality of move- ter and rhythm; use of finesse* to reflect the including a complete listing of element base ment and precision in delivery. nuances of the music; relationship between values, visit www.usfigureskating.org. Criteria: Physical, emotional and intellectual the partners reflecting the character of the involvement; carriage; style and individuality/ music (pairs and ice dancing); appropriatepersonality; clarity of movement; variety and ness of music (short dance and free dance); PROGRAM COMPONENTS contrast; projection; unison and “oneness” skating primarily to the rhythmic beat (ice In addition to the technical score, the judges (pairs and ice dancing); balance in perfor- dancing). will award points on a scale from 0.25 to 10 mance (pairs and ice dancing); management *Finesse: is the skater’s refined, artful manipu(with increments of 0.25) for five program of the distance between partners and chang- lation of nuances. Nuances are the personal components to grade the overall presenta- es of hold (pairs and ice dancing). artistic ways of bringing subtle variations to tion. the intensity, tempo and dynamics of the music made by the composer and/or musicians. Skating Skills: Overall skating quality, including edge control and flow over the ice surface (edges, steps, turns, speed, etc.), clarity of technique and the use of effortless power to accelerate and vary speed. 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA 61 ONE call; ALL your business needs • • • • • • Packaging Janitorial Foodservice Safety PrintingPapers Equipment 23200 64th Ave S. Kent, WA 98032 www.wcpsolutions.com • (253) 850-1900 317 W. Meeker St., Sweet A, Kent Hours: M-F: 9 am - 5 pm, Sat: 9 am - 2 pm Sweets • Savories • Pastries • Coffee/Tea Soups • Sandwiches • Salads www.sweetthemesbakery.com Shopping. Dining. Staying. Playing. iLove Kent .net Your insider's guide to Kent, Washington! 3 NEW DVD S! 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Date_______________ Cardholder’s Name (please print)_______________________________________ Signature______________________________________________________________ Orders may be faxed to 203.324.5299 Or visit our website: www.starsonicedvd.com This season marks the 18th year for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The series, launched in 1995, combines six prestigious, international figure skating competitions as a unified point-earning series that awards prize money to eligible figure skaters. SKATER SELECTIONS SKATE AMERICA OCT. 19-21, SEATTLE/KENT, WASH. One of the biggest misconceptions is that each country assigns its own skaters to the six Grand Prix events. Here, we’ve outlined the selection process, used for the first time in 2003. Essentially, there are three different classifications of skaters for the Grand Prix Series. All skaters and ice dancing couples may compete in a maximum of two events. 1. Seeded Skaters/Couples: The top six finishers in each discipline from the most recent World Championships will be considered to be seeded and be assigned, by draw, to skate in two events. 2. Invited Skaters/Couples: Skaters or couples who have placed 7–12 in each discipline at the 2012 World Championships are guaranteed to be selected for two Grand Prix events, provided that these skaters/couples fulfill the requirements of the minimum score. SKATE CANADA OCT. 26-28, WINDSOR, ONTARIO 3. Minimum Score: Each entrant to the Grand Prix events must meet the minimum total score (SP/SD + FS/FD) to be included in the entry or the alternate list. For the 2012-13 Grand Prix season, the minimum scores are: Men: 159.66 Ladies: 113.43 Pairs: 120.90 Ice Dance: 109.59 Skaters/couples who have scored at least the above mentioned limit in an ISU Championships, ISU Grand Prix Final (Junior or Senior) between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2012, are eligible for selection into the Grand Prix events 2012-13 or in the alternate list. CUP OF CHINA NOV. 2-4, SHANGHAI, CHINA POINT SYSTEM Points are awarded to the competitors at each of the six events based on final placement. At the conclusion of the six Grand Prix events, athletes’ points are totaled, and the top six point-earners in ladies, men, pairs and ice dancing are invited to compete at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Here is the breakdown of points awarded by place: Men and Ladies 1st place: 15 points 3rd place: 11 points 5th place: 7 points 2nd place: 13 points 4th place: 9 points 6th place: 5 points ROSTELECOM CUP NOV. 9-11, MOSCOW, RUSSIA 7th place: 4 points 8th place: 3 points Pairs and Ice Dancing 1st place: 15 points 3rd place: 11 points 5th place: 7 points 2nd place: 13 points 4th place: 9 points 6th place: 5 points ISU GRAND PRIX OF FIGURE SKATING INDIVIDUAL PRIZE MONEY TROPHEE BOMPARD NOV. 16-18, PARIS FRANCE In addition to receiving points to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final, the top five place-winners in the Grand Prix Series events are awarded prize money. Prize money for all disciplines at Grand Prix Series events is (prize is split between partners in pairs and dance): 1st: $18,000 2nd: $13,000 3rd: $9,000 4th: $3,000 5th: $2,000 Prize money for all disciplines at the Grand Prix Final is (split between partners in pairs and dance): 1st: $25,000 3rd: $12,000 5th: $4,000 2nd: $18,000 4th: $6,000 6th: $3,000 66 2012 HILTON HHONORS SKATE AMERICA NHK TROPHY NOV. 23-25, SENDAI, JAPAN USA GRAND PRIX FINAL DEC. 6-9, SOCHI, RUSSIA CHALLENGES BREED CHAMPIONS. Every challenge is an opportunity. And none greater than the opportunity to earn the accolade of champion. We’re proud to be the title sponsor for the 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Join us as we witness some of the greatest athletes anywhere transform challenge into legend. prudential.com © 2012. Prudential, the Prudential logo, the Rock symbol and Bring Your Challenges are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc., and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. 0229526-00001-00 PROOF#: 1 OPERATOR: Tom Sobol DATE: 8/28/12 - 3:40 PM JOB#: CORP-A4136 DESC: US Figure Skating Sponsorship PUB: Skate America Program PUBDATE: October 3 LIVE: 7.875 x 10.375 TRIM: 8.375 x 10.875 BLEED: 8.625 x 11.125 GUTTER: GCD: CD: AD: CW: AE: TRAFFIC: PROOF: B:11.125 in S:10.375 in T:10.875 in