2017 ISU Challenger Series

[misskarne]

is anyone else bothered that Mariah and Mirai are going head to head at least 4 times this year? US Classic, GP's, and nationals. It's a great line up at US Classic, but what is USFSA thinking?

And Max and Zhou will go head to head at least three times and would have been four if Zhou had competed at Philly. And here he goes head to head against Chen. They're not the only ones!

 

[A.H.Black]

Which is precisely why I was hoping none of my favourites would be there (Except I think there's a bunch of Team Australia there as well)

I'm hoping Brooklee Han comes again. I really enjoy watching her in person.

 

[Bellanca]

Competing at multiple comps will be a good thing for these ladies. They'll keep each other honest - and push one another. It's an Olympic year and unexpected things can happen, like both Mirai and Mariah making the team. You just never know...

 

[misskarne]

I'm hoping Brooklee Han comes again. I really enjoy watching her in person.

Just checked the ISA assignments page and Team Australia for US Classic is Brooklee, Andrew, Jordan, and Paris/Matthew You got your wish!

 

[Frida80]

Competing at multiple comps will be a good thing for these ladies. They'll keep each other honest - and push one another. It's an Olympic year and unexpected things can happen, like both Mirai and Mariah making the team. You just never know...

Exactly. Multiple competitions between US competitors can keep them focused on the bigger picture. It can be overwhelming to compete at the GP, especially in the same ice as Zhenia. When you have a competitor that can act as a rival, the. You can focus entirely on that person and the elements will come easier.

I think they just wanted to stack the competition at US Classic to build up the hype for the Olympics. Several potential Olympians in one competition makes it feel like the start of the Olympics trials. (Which it technically is.)

 

[Karpenko]

is anyone else bothered that Mariah and Mirai are going head to head at least 4 times this year? US Classic, GP's, and nationals. It's a great line up at US Classic, but what is USFSA thinking?

Well if you're afraid for one of them, then yeah it does bother me. But they were 3rd and 4th at Nationals, 3 spots (thank you Karen and Ashley), and that "body of work" argument could come into play with some of these competitions later on. the fed also probably wants their jobs to be easy once Nationals have ended, who can blame them after last time really.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Heres a nice little article from Philly

Dolensky, Tennell shine bright in Philadelphia
Skating stars display stellar form at 2017 Philadelphia Summer Classic

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/08/07/246985602!

"Tim Dolensky had just performed one of his best free skates, winning the Philadelphia Summer International at IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Pennsylvania, and staking a claim to the open U.S. men's spot at Skate America in late November."

"Many ladies arrived in Aston with polished, sophisticated free skates that belied the event's early-season date. From Angela Wang's mesmerizing outing to the hypnotic "Circles" by Greta Svabo Bech, to Courtney Hicks' heartfelt "Amazing Grace" and Tessa Hong's light and charming "Fascination," fans that showed up at IceWorks on Sunday were richly rewarded."

"In the end, Bradie Tennell came out on top, continuing her strong summer with solid triple lutz-triple toe combinations in both her short, choreographed by Scott Brown to music from the 2004 Korean film Taegukgi, and her free, set to the Cinderella soundtrack with a dash of Prokofiev and created by Benoit Richaud. She placed second in both events and won gold with 184.98 points."

 

[icellist]

I was mostly frustrated that I'd rather see other match-ups than Mirai vs Mariah four times. None of them go head to head with Ashley or Gracie etc. I'm glad they're using all of their allotted spots though. I'm hoping they utilize the other challenger series well for the ladies who aren't at the GPs.

 

[levineismine]

Today is the entries deadline for one of the first Challenger Series events (Lombardia Trophy).
Feels like the season is kicking in soon!
I personally love the Challenger events: smaller arenas/crowds, cheaper, being really close to ice level, debut of new programs, getting to see skaters that won't be on the GP/major internationals event.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Today is the entries deadline for one of the first Challenger Series events (Lombardia Trophy).
Feels like the season is kicking in soon!
I personally love the Challenger events: smaller arenas/crowds, cheaper, being really close to ice level, debut of new programs, getting to see skaters that won't be on the GP/major internationals event.

Today is also the deadline for the International Classic!

 

[Sylvia]

USFS has listed their team for Lombardia Trophy on their International Assignments page: http://www.usfsa.org/story?id=84032&menu=TeamUSA

Men: Jason Brown, Jordan Moeller
Ladies: Amber Glenn, Bradie Tennell
Pair: Ashley Cain/Timothy LeDuc
Dance: Elliana Pogrebinsky/Alex Benoit

 

[Jeschke]

Glenn seems to be US Fed'S 'challenger' favourite

But I won't complain, as hope for a Zhang/Miner combo at Nebelhorn is still alive

 

[alchemy void]

I personally love the Challenger events: smaller arenas/crowds, cheaper, being really close to ice level, debut of new programs, getting to see skaters that won't be on the GP/major internationals event.

Challenger Series >>>> Grand Prix

Even the occasional really bad live streaming (Golden Spin! ) is all part of the charm.

Let's get the season started!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well, the Roster was published for US Classic.. do the rosters seem a bit low this year?.... I remember there being a bit more competitors...

http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111445.htm

Men

1 Andrew DODDS AUS 1
2 Jordan DODDS AUS 1
3 Liam FIRUS CAN 2
4 Bennet TOMAN CAN 2
5 Chih-Sheng CHANG TPE 3
6 Michal BREZINA CZE 4
7 Daniel SAMOHIN ISR 5
8 Takahito MURA JPN 6
9 Kazuki TOMONO JPN 6
10 Yaroslav PANIOT UKR 7
11 Max AARON USA 8
12 Nathan CHEN USA 8
13 Timothy DOLENSKY USA 8
14 Sean RABBITT USA 8
Alexander JOHNSON USA 8 S

Ladies

1 Brooklee HAN AUS 1
2 Michelle LONG CAN 2
3 Alicia PINEAULT CAN 2
4 Stephanie Yuung-Shuh CHANG TPE 3
5 Haley YAO TPE 3
6 Aimee BUCHANAN ISR 4
7 Marin HONDA JPN 5
8 Kaori SAKAMOTO JPN 5
9 Mariah BELL USA 6
10 Karen CHEN USA 6
11 Mirai NAGASU USA 6
12 Paige RYDBERG USA 6
Franchesca CHIERA USA 6 S
Avery KURTZ USA 6 S
Hannah MILLER USA 6 S

Pairs

1 Paris STEPHENS / Matthew DODDS AUS 1
2 Sydney KOLODZIEJ / Maxime DESCHAMPS CAN 2
3 Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Michael MARINARO CAN 2
4 Paige CONNERS / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI ISR 3
5 Sumire SUTO / Francis BOUDREAU-AUDET JPN 4
6 Haven DENNEY / Brandon FRAZIER USA 5
7 Chelsea LIU / Brian JOHNSON USA 5
8 Alexa SCIMECA KNIERIM / Chris KNIERIM USA 5
9 Deanna STELLATO / Nathan BARTHOLOMAY USA 5
Jessica CALALANG / Zack SIDHU USA 5 S
Nica DIGERNESS / Danny NEUDECKER USA 5 S
Erika SMITH / AJ REISS USA 5 S




Dance

1 Tina GARABEDIAN / Simon PROULX-SENECAL ARM 1
2 Anastasia GALYETA / Avidan BROWN AZE 2
3 Carolane SOUCISSE / Shane FIRUS CAN 3
4 Laurence FOURNIER BEAUDRY / Nikolaj SORENSEN DEN 4
5 Robynne TWEEDALE / Joseph BUCKLAND GBR 5
6 Adel TANKOVA / Ronald ZILBERBERG ISR 6
7 Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED JPN 7
8 Olivia SMART / Adria DIAZ ESP 8
9 Julia BIECHLER / Damian DODGE USA 9
10 Kaitlin HAWAYEK / Jean-Luc BAKER USA 9
11 Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE USA 9
Karina MANTA / Joseph JOHNSON USA 9 S
Lorraine MCNAMARA / Quinn CARPENTER USA 9 S
Rachel PARSONS / Michael PARSONS USA 9 S

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks. The link and entries also are posted in the U.S. International Classic thread in the Kiss & Cry forum: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/u-s-international-classic.101660/

 

[clairecloutier]

I don't know @AngieNikodinovLove , I think the U.S. Classic lineup is pretty strong actually. I mean, any ladies event with Marin Honda, Kaori Sakamoto, Karen Chen, and Mirai Nagasu, amongst others, is in my book. Pairs and dance look good as well; no top-level non-U.S. competitors in those divisions, but some good middle-level teams. In pairs, I might've hoped for Ruest/Wolfe, Jones/Reagan, or Purich/Portz rather than Kolodziej/Deschamps; but it's nice that Moore-Towers/Marinaro will be there from Canada. The men's field seems the least interesting, outside of the U.S. men.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

^^^^ Oh for sure. I just meant the amount of entries.

In pairs 35% of teams will medal.

And is it still true that for it to be considered an ISU event at least 5 countries need to be represented?

So in pairs if AUS, ISR or Japan withdraw then these scores wouldnt count towards ISU?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Depends on whether they show.

Well, the Roster was published for US Classic.. A bit of bummer .. do the rosters seem a bit low this year?.... I remember their being a bit more competitors...

Usually there are withdrawals, and except for the US, they won't be replaced, so there's no direct comparison yet, but from 2013-2016:

Men: 10, 10, 15 (1 WD*), 13.

• 2017: 14 entries

Ladies: 13, 14 (1 WD), 18 (2 WD), 12.

• 2017: 12 entries

Pairs: 7 (3**), 5 (3), 7 (4), 5 (3).

• 2017: 9 (4) entries

Dance: 14, 6 (1 WD), 9, 12.

• 2017: 11 entries

*WD's not included in yearly total
**Number of countries. (For CS points, three members have to show for Pairs and either compete or be official WDs).

Biechler and Dodge (and many others),

 

[Sylvia]

Relevant excerpts from the 2017/18 ISU Challenger Series Announcement: http://static.isu.org/media/520340/cs2017-18_announcement-final.pdf

The International Competition as part of the ISU Challenger Series in Figure Skating must include entries in at least 3 disciplines from a minimum of ten (10) different ISU Members, in all disciplines combined.
In addition, the minimum number of entries per discipline are as follows:
 Men / Ladies: minimum of eight (8) entries each, from at least four (4) ISU Members;
 Pair Skating: minimum of five (5) entries from at least three (3) ISU Members;
 Ice Dance: minimum of six (6) entries from at least four (4) ISU Members.

For the criteria relating to the awarding of the special ISU World Standing Points for the ISU Challenger Series in Figure Skating please refer to paragraph 9 below.

9. ISU WORLD STANDING POINTS For the ISU Challenger Series in Figure Skating higher ISU World Standing Points than for “regular” International Competitions shall be awarded. Each competition of the ISU Challenger Series in Figure Skating will be awarded with the following scale of points (in brackets for comparison is indicated the number of points for “regular” International Competitions):

Men & Ladies
1st place 300 points (250)
2nd place 270 points (225)
3rd place 243 points (203)
4th place 219 points (182)
5th place 198 points (164)
6th place 178 points
7th place 160 points
8th place 144 points

Pair Skating
1st 300 points (250)
2nd 270 points (225)
3rd 243 points (203)
4th 219 points (182)
5th 198 points (164)

Ice Dance
1st 300 points (250)
2nd 270 points (225)
3rd 243 points (203)
4th 219 points (182)
5th 198 points (164)
6th 178 points

 

[Sylvia]

Well, the Roster was published for US Classic.. do the rosters seem a bit low this year?.... I remember their being a bit more competitors...

Number of skaters/teams that competed at U.S. Classic in Salt Lake City last year: 13 men, 12 ladies, 5 pairs, 12 dance teams.

 

[Lara111]

Does anybody have Junior roaster for Challenge Skate in SLC ?

 

[Sylvia]

When the Challenge Skate entries are made public, I'm sure the dance teams will be posted in the U.S. Dance news thread (I'll also create a U.S. Novice & Junior Challenge Skate competition thread in the Kiss & Cry section).

ETA:

@TAHbKA posted in the "From Russia with love" thread yesterday that Evgenia Medvedeva will start her international season at Ondrej Nepela in Bratislava, Slovakia (is there a source link for this?).

Skate Canada has posted their Nepela Trophy assignments (Larkyn Austman, Nicolas Nadeau, Natasha Purich / Davin Portz in pairs) on heir website: https://skatecanada.ca/national-team/international-assignments/#srintl

 

[A.H.Black]

When the Challenge Skate entries are made public, I'm sure the dance teams will be posted in the U.S. Dance news thread (I'll also create a U.S. Novice & Junior Challenge Skate competition thread in the Kiss & Cry section).

Thanks Sylvia. That roster is usually pretty hard to find.

As for number of entries, it feels about right. We always wish there were more pairs. I think Canada used to send 2 pair and 2 dance teams. I'm guessing they have sent those extra teams to the Autumn Classic. I'm looking forward to seeing some surprises. I always do. If any of the US entries withdraw, I'm happy about the substitute list.

 

[kalamalka]

With the Nepela assignments now posted, Canada is only sending one dance team to US Classic and none to Nepela. I wonder why? At least so far we're using all the JGP dance slots.

 

[Sylvia]

With the Nepela assignments now posted, Canada is only sending one dance team to US Classic and none to Nepela. I wonder why? At least so far we're using all the JGP dance slots.

2017/2018 Selection Process for Senior Challenger and International Events: https://info.skatecanada.ca/hc/en-c...r-Senior-Challenger-and-International-Events-

 

[levineismine]

I would guess then that W/P, G/P, and V/M will split the other Challenger events if they want to debut before the GP. This leaves Autumn Classic (likely V/M?), Nebelhorn, and Finlandia. (No Lombardia assignments for team CAN, and Nepela & US classic already announced).

 

[Dobre]

Canada has four teams outside the top three with an international score.
Soucisse & Firus
Sales & Wamsteeker
Arnold & Williams
Lanaghan & Razgulajevs

I think none of them have an international score of 140, and it can't be mandatory as two of these teams were invited to Autumn Classic last season. Last year both Soucisse & Firus and Sales & Wamsteeker went, and they both have a stronger resume domestically now. I would expect them, and probably Arnold & Williams, to get a shot. Two of these teams seem likely for the Autumn Classic.

 

[angi]

Soucisse & Firus were assigned to US Classic: http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat03108178.htm
So maybe 2 of the remaining 3 teams can be assigned to Autumn Classic.

 

[chattila]

Well, the Roster was published for US Classic.. do the rosters seem a bit low this year?.... I remember there being a bit more competitors...

http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111445.htm

Men

1 Andrew DODDS AUS 1
2 Jordan DODDS AUS 1
3 Liam FIRUS CAN 2
4 Bennet TOMAN CAN 2
5 Chih-Sheng CHANG TPE 3
6 Michal BREZINA CZE 4
7 Daniel SAMOHIN ISR 5
8 Takahito MURA JPN 6
9 Kazuki TOMONO JPN 6
10 Yaroslav PANIOT UKR 7
11 Max AARON USA 8
12 Nathan CHEN USA 8
13 Timothy DOLENSKY USA 8
14 Sean RABBITT USA 8
Alexander JOHNSON USA 8 S

Ladies

1 Brooklee HAN AUS 1
2 Michelle LONG CAN 2
3 Alicia PINEAULT CAN 2
4 Stephanie Yuung-Shuh CHANG TPE 3
5 Haley YAO TPE 3
6 Aimee BUCHANAN ISR 4
7 Marin HONDA JPN 5
8 Kaori SAKAMOTO JPN 5
9 Mariah BELL USA 6
10 Karen CHEN USA 6
11 Mirai NAGASU USA 6
12 Paige RYDBERG USA 6
Franchesca CHIERA USA 6 S
Avery KURTZ USA 6 S
Hannah MILLER USA 6 S

Pairs

1 Paris STEPHENS / Matthew DODDS AUS 1
2 Sydney KOLODZIEJ / Maxime DESCHAMPS CAN 2
3 Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Michael MARINARO CAN 2
4 Paige CONNERS / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI ISR 3
5 Sumire SUTO / Francis BOUDREAU-AUDET JPN 4
6 Haven DENNEY / Brandon FRAZIER USA 5
7 Chelsea LIU / Brian JOHNSON USA 5
8 Alexa SCIMECA KNIERIM / Chris KNIERIM USA 5
9 Deanna STELLATO / Nathan BARTHOLOMAY USA 5
Jessica CALALANG / Zack SIDHU USA 5 S
Nica DIGERNESS / Danny NEUDECKER USA 5 S
Erika SMITH / AJ REISS USA 5 S




Dance

1 Tina GARABEDIAN / Simon PROULX-SENECAL ARM 1
2 Anastasia GALYETA / Avidan BROWN AZE 2
3 Carolane SOUCISSE / Shane FIRUS CAN 3
4 Laurence FOURNIER BEAUDRY / Nikolaj SORENSEN DEN 4
5 Robynne TWEEDALE / Joseph BUCKLAND GBR 5
6 Adel TANKOVA / Ronald ZILBERBERG ISR 6
7 Kana MURAMOTO / Chris REED JPN 7
8 Olivia SMART / Adria DIAZ ESP 8
9 Julia BIECHLER / Damian DODGE USA 9
10 Kaitlin HAWAYEK / Jean-Luc BAKER USA 9
11 Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE USA 9
Karina MANTA / Joseph JOHNSON USA 9 S
Lorraine MCNAMARA / Quinn CARPENTER USA 9 S
Rachel PARSONS / Michael PARSONS USA 9 S

This can't come soon enough. Very good competitors in all disciplines.

 

[sus2850]

With the Nepela assignments now posted, Canada is only sending one dance team to US Classic and none to Nepela. I wonder why? At least so far we're using all the JGP dance slots.

Where are the Nepela entries posted? Or which assignments do you mean? Canadian skaters? I do not see a Nepela thread.