USFS Champs Camp 2022

[haribobo]

Very sparse information from twitter seems to indicate that Champs Camp will be sometime between Aug 25-29 in Detroit. I notice on the DSC calendar the usual Saturday public skating session is not on the calendar on Aug 27...also on USFS instagram, Knierim/Frazier and McNamara/Spiridonov posted pics that they are headed to Champs Camp- that's all I got!

 

[Sylvia]

Many skaters' Instagram stories today showed them traveling to Champs Camp... one of Jean-Luc Baker's on Tuesday evening included a photo outside of the Detroit Skating Club captioned "The ol' stomping ground."

2022 U.S. Grand Prix skaters/teams:

Men (5): *Ilia Malinin, Camden Pulkinen, Tomoki Hiwatashi (1 GP), Jimmy Ma, *Liam Kapeikis (1 GP is SkAm)

Women (7): Bradie Tennell (she and coach Benoit Richaud flew from France on Monday), Amber Glenn, Audrey Shin, *Isabeau Levito, *Lindsay Thorngren, *Gabriella Izzo (1 GP), Starr Andrews (1 GP)

Pairs (4): Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier, *Emily Chan & Spencer Howe, *Katie McBeath (her IG story mentioned this is her first Champs Camp) & Nathan Bartholomay, *Anastasiia Smirnova and Danil Siianytsia

Ice Dance (10): Madison Chock & Evan Bates, Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker, Caroline Green & Michael Parsons, Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarenko, *Oona Brown & Gage Brown, *Katarina Wolfkostin & Jeffrey Chen, *Emily Bratti & Ian Somerville (1 GP), Molly Cesanek & Yehor Yehorov (1 GP), *Eva Pate & Logan Bye (1 GP), *Lorraine McNamara & Anton Spiridonov (recently assigned to SkAm host pick)

*making Grand Prix Series debut this season (not counting 2020 Skate America)

ETA: We will have to wait and "see" (on social media) if anyone else may show up since there are 3 Skate America TBD spots left, as pointed out below.

 

[ice coverage]

Side note that the USFS "Emerging Athletes" program once again will take place alongside Champs Camp.

Soho Lee was en route to Michigan on Tuesday.

 

[Frau Muller]

Starr Andrews - NHK assignment.

Go, Starr!

Speaking of -
Shared on her Instagram stories: Starr is in a new TV ad “We Are Simply Stronger” featuring women athletes of color:

katrina young on Instagram: "Still so pumped I was part of this project! #simplystronger 💪 @ilannaemily 🙏🙏🙏 #strongertogether #resilience #power #work #grit #femaleathlete #diver #olympics #journey #paris2024 #california #training #usc #athletics #t

288 likes, 16 comments - katrinanole on August 23, 2022: "Still so pumped I was part of this project! #simplystronger 💪 @ilannaemily 🙏🙏🙏 #strongertogether #resilience #power #work #grit #femaleathlete #diver #olympics #journey #paris2024 #california #training #usc #athletics #tuesdaymotivation".

www.instagram.com

Parity on Instagram: "What do all these athletes have in common? They never forget their strength. We’re proud to have collaborated with @ilannaemily on her latest project, Simply Stronger, which encourages us all to fight doubt with confidence. We w

70 likes, 6 comments - paritynow on August 14, 2022: "What do all these athletes have in common? They never forget their strength. We’re proud to have collaborated with @ilannaemily on her latest project, Simply Stronger, which encourages us all to fight doubt with confidence. We want to know...

www.instagram.com

 

[Hedwig]

oh, no Sonja Hilmer

 

[haribobo]

Thanks for the list! Just a note to Hedwig- that is not a comprehensive list of everyone at Champs Camp, just a list of who has been assigned thus far. The TBD spots for SA have not been announced and could still show up.

Potential entries for SA...
Women - Gracie Gold or Sonja Hilmer
Men- Tomoki Hiwatashi, Ryan Dunk, or Eric Sjoberg
Pairs- Plazas/Fernandez or Mokhova/Mokhov

 

[Debbie S]

Thanks for the list! Just a note to Hedwig- that is not a comprehensive list of everyone at Champs Camp, just a list of who has been assigned thus far. The TBD spots for SA have not been announced and could still show up.

Potential entries for SA...
Women - Gracie Gold or Sonja Hilmer
Men- Tomoki Hiwatashi, Ryan Dunk, or Eric Sjoberg
Pairs- Plazas/Fernandez or Mokhova/Mokhov

FYI, Ryan Dunk is not competing this season. Collegiate Nats was his last competition. He graduated college in May and has moved on to his next chapter, now working full-time (although he is skating with Forte, SCOB's Senior TOI team, so he'll be able to continue skating in a different capacity).

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

Side note that the USFS "Emerging Athletes" program once again will take place alongside Champs Camp.

Soho Lee was en route to Michigan on Tuesday:

OC Edge Skating Academy on Instagram: "On our way to a @usfigureskating training camp in Michigan! 🇺🇸⛸✈️ We are grateful for the support and excited for the opportunity to learn and grow. 📝📈 @soholee09 @pottengeracademy @aclassperformance #teamwor

414 likes, 9 comments - ocedgeskatingacademy on August 23, 2022: "On our way to a @usfigureskating training camp in Michigan! 🇺🇸⛸✈️ We are grateful for the support and excited for the opportunity to learn and grow. 📝📈 @soholee09 @pottengeracademy @aclassperformance #teamwork @chrispottenger...

www.instagram.com

Same Chris Pottenger as this one?

Skating official who had sexual relationship with 16-year-old drops out of competition

Christopher Pottenger was scheduled to work an important regional skating competition in Dallas last weekend.

www.usatoday.com

 

[tony]

Same Chris Pottenger as this one?

Skating official who had sexual relationship with 16-year-old drops out of competition

Christopher Pottenger was scheduled to work an important regional skating competition in Dallas last weekend.

www.usatoday.com

Yes, but I believe they found that nothing was wrong (law-wise, not personal view-wise), and the article says as much. Him saying he doesn't recall the age is weird, though.

In Delaware, a 16- or 17-year-old can legally consent to sex with a partner under the age of 30. Pottenger was 22 at the time of his relationship with the skater, whose name is not being used by USA TODAY because the skater was 16 at the time of the relationship.

 

[Sylvia]

Side note that the USFS "Emerging Athletes" program once again will take place alongside Champs Camp.

Soho Lee was en route to Michigan on Tuesday.

Thanks for the info (USFS' Emerging Athletes program began in 2018, IIRC) - I'm glad Soho was invited.

Alexa K. has shared an Instagram story photo with rinkmates Katie McBeath and Sonia Baram (JGP pairs debut with Daniel Tioumentsev will be in Ostrava).

 

[Debbie S]

From USFS IG story, Gracie is at Champs Camp. I didn't see Sonja but the camera panned quickly.

 

[overedge]

Same Chris Pottenger as this one?

Skating official who had sexual relationship with 16-year-old drops out of competition

Christopher Pottenger was scheduled to work an important regional skating competition in Dallas last weekend.

www.usatoday.com

Apparently it is, judging by the Instagram account info: https://www.instagram.com/pottengeracademy/

And why is Anaheim Ice employing him?

Private Lessons - Figure Skating - Anaheim ICE

Private ice skating lessons are available to all skaters, regardless of age or skill level and are an opportunity for one-on-one learning specific to a skater’s individual needs.

anaheimice.therinks.com

 

[Sylvia]

From USFS IG story, Gracie is at Champs Camp. I didn't see Sonja but the camera panned quickly.

I think the same 7-second video is posted on USFS' TikTok account? https://www.tiktok.com/@usfigureskating/video/7135488567790374186

ETA - never mind, it's a different video/Instagram story in which Gracie is visible at the end: https://www.instagram.com/stories/usfigureskating/2912146579393967462/

 

[Sylvia]

Just saw that Soho Lee shared an Instagram story captioned "Emerging Athletes Day 1" that shows photos of herself with Katie Shen, Sofia Bezkorovainaya, Robert Yampolsky, Kirk Haugeto, Aleksandr Fegan and Sonia Baram/Daniel Tioumentsev (plus a pic with Chock/Bates ) - it's also in the Instagram stories shared by USFS.

 

[Wyliefan]

Bradie, Starr, and Audrey: https://instagram.com/stories/bradi...ource=ig_story_item_share&igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

 

[haribobo]

Only skaters that I didn't see when scanning that group are Alexa, Tomoki, and Katie/Nate. Of the SA TBA spot contendors, I didn't see Sonja, Eric, Mokhova/Mokhov, or Plazas/Fernandez

 

[Sylvia]

FWIW, I was told that Gracie is the only one invited to Champs Camp who doesn't already have a GP assignment.

Re. the Pairs TBD spot: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ion-second-to-none.109779/page-2#post-6285828

 

[Karen-W]

Only skaters that I didn't see when scanning that group are Alexa, Tomoki, and Katie/Nate. Of the SA TBA spot contendors, I didn't see Sonja, Eric, Mokhova/Mokhov, or Plazas/Fernandez

I caught a glimpse of Alexa - she's behind Camden, lol.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Only skaters that I didn't see when scanning that group are Alexa, Tomoki, and Katie/Nate. Of the SA TBA spot contendors, I didn't see Sonja, Eric, Mokhova/Mokhov, or Plazas/Fernandez

How was the soon to be world champion Amber?

 

[carriecmu0503]

Apparently it is, judging by the Instagram account info: https://www.instagram.com/pottengeracademy/

And why is Anaheim Ice employing him?

Private Lessons - Figure Skating - Anaheim ICE

Private ice skating lessons are available to all skaters, regardless of age or skill level and are an opportunity for one-on-one learning specific to a skater’s individual needs.

anaheimice.therinks.com

Because it was found he did nothing wrong legally and there is no reason to permanently cancel him? Are you a saint who has never done anything questionable? Again, he broke no laws. On what grounds can he be permanently cancelled? He was 22, she was 16, the legal age of consent!

 

[Jarrett]

Because it was found he did nothing wrong legally and there is no reason to permanently cancel him? Are you a saint who has never done anything questionable? Again, he broke no laws. On what grounds can he be permanently cancelled? He was 22, she was 16, the legal age of consent!

He was 22, he (not she) was 16. Not that is makes any difference in the optics just for actual facts from the article.

Anyway, can't wait for another skating season. I hope Gracie can continue her impressive progress she has already shown.

 

[MacMadame]

Because it was found he did nothing wrong legally and there is no reason to permanently cancel him? Are you a saint who has never done anything questionable? Again, he broke no laws. On what grounds can he be permanently cancelled? He was 22, she was 16, the legal age of consent!

In some states, he broke the law because the age gap was more than 5 years. Plus he was a coach dating a student. At least he wasn't the coach of the student, but the fact that he said he "checked all applicable laws" before initiating the relationship says to me that he knew it was questionable.

Hopefully, he's learned from this as it happened over a decade ago so plenty of time to figure out if you have to consult a law book before dating someone that maybe you should give that relationship a pass.

 

[Karen-W]

In some states, he broke the law because the age gap was more than 5 years. Plus he was a coach dating a student. At least he wasn't the coach of the student, but the fact that he said he "checked all applicable laws" before initiating the relationship says to me that he knew it was questionable.

Except that he DIDN'T break any laws in the state where they were located. And who cares that he was dating a skater at the rink who was NOT his student? As long as that coach-student power dynamic didn't exist between him and the 16-year old then the point you're trying to make is irrelevant.

Having said all that, I'm no fan of relationships involving more than a 3 year age gap for mid/late teenagers. As a parent, I'd be opposed to my 16-yr old going out with a 22-yr old, and vice versa. Go find someone closer to your own age, please.

 

[Rukia]

Except that he DIDN'T break any laws in the state where they were located. And who cares that he was dating a skater at the rink who was NOT his student? As long as that coach-student power dynamic didn't exist between him and the 16-year old then the point you're trying to make is irrelevant.

I don't know anything about the particulars of this case, but I know around here, everyone knows the coaches at other rinks, and there is a certain amount of power imbalance even with coaches that don't directly coach you (even at another rink). But that could just be a here thing. I just think it's too complicated a situation to dismiss the idea of power imbalance outright.

But again I'm just talking in general because I have no idea who these people are haha.

 

[Sylvia]

Jean-Luc's Instagram story clip during the group photo shoot yesterday : https://www.instagram.com/stories/jeanlucbaker/2912323455984732028/

 

[overedge]

Except that he DIDN'T break any laws in the state where they were located. And who cares that he was dating a skater at the rink who was NOT his student? As long as that coach-student power dynamic didn't exist between him and the 16-year old then the point you're trying to make is irrelevant.

The other coaches at the rink would care, especially the one that was coaching that particular student. It could create a very uncomfortable working atmosphere for them.

 

[PRlady]

I also don’t know these people but I am still not against legal relationships with age differences if there’s no direct professional connection. There are mature 16-year girls and immature guys in their twenties. I don’t think teenaged girls are without agency whether they’re taking banned substances or dating older guys. Skating sends these teenagers halfway around the world to skate in obscure places without their parents around. Either they’re old enough to make some decisions on their own or they’re not.

 

[Wyliefan]

But the guys in their twenties (or older) are rarely interested in making the effort to figure out whether they happen to be with a mature 16 year old or an immature 16 year old. And very often the 16 year olds believe they're a lot more mature than they are. That's why there have to be blanket rules designed to protect teenagers in general. I'm not against adult relationships with age gaps, but there is no good reason EVER for an adult to seek out a kid for a romantic or sexual relationship. They need to go find someone whom they know is old enough without having to read up on state law, and leave the kids out of it, period.

 

[hoptoad]

I do take these issues seriously, but I'm inclined to judge him on his actions going forward. I know I've done stupider things at an older age. He's young and ought to use better professional judgment going forward. Hopefully he does and turns out to be a good coach over the long run.

 

[Frau Muller]

What does the Pottenger discussion have to do with Champs Camp? Is he running it?
Maybe move it to the SafeSex/Violations thread?

How’s Champs Camp 2022 going? Is there a schedule of events? Any sekret rink cams?