2025 Skate America: Lake Placid (official 5.6.2025)

[chewy]

I think I am going to go, solo. Mr. Chewy is declining and says to drop him off at his brother's on the way in Quebec and I guess I should pick him up on the way back. I guess, lol. I'm going to have to get a hotel, it's just a bit too late to camp this time.

Now that are assignments are out, I’m not so thrilled about going to Skate America, so probably not now.

 

[apgold]

Some of the fields are underwhelming, especially pairs, but enough of my faves are competing including Alysa, Jason, Chock/Bates, Kevin, Mikhail, Wakaba, M/K, La/La and Lara and Kazuki. Plus there are all those TBD spots for the US which could be interesting. I'm hoping the Browns and Jacob Sanchez are selected. Not sure of the women yet as all the top skaters have 2 assignments.

 

[tony]

I'm surprised at the comments here. Besides Ilia skipping out on the event and neither of the top two pairs going, the fields are pretty good. What was everyone expecting?

Look at dance especially! Three voidy French teams, Mrazeks, World Junior Champs, Lajoie/Lagha, top 2 in the US. In men, there's still Jason, Kevin, and Mikhail. Daiwei Dai is great, Luc Economides is voidy. Alysa is going, Wakaba is a fan favorite, Lara is super voidy, etc.

 

[Rukia]

I'm surprised at the comments here. Besides Ilia skipping out on the event and neither of the top two pairs going, the fields are pretty good. What was everyone expecting?

Look at dance especially! Three voidy French teams, Mrazeks, World Junior Champs, Lajoie/Lagha, top 2 in the US. In men, there's still Jason, Kevin, and Mikhail. Daiwei Dai is great, Luc Economides is voidy. Alysa is going, Wakaba is a fan favorite, Lara is super voidy, etc.

yeah people are being really weird? It's going to be a fun competition (but not fun enough for me to actually go to lake placid lol sorry usfs)

 

[kwanette]

I'm surprised at the comments here. Besides Ilia skipping out on the event and neither of the top two pairs going, the fields are pretty good. What was everyone expecting?

Look at dance especially! Three voidy French teams, Mrazeks, World Junior Champs, Lajoie/Lagha, top 2 in the US. In men, there's still Jason, Kevin, and Mikhail. Daiwei Dai is great, Luc Economides is voidy. Alysa is going, Wakaba is a fan favorite, Lara is super voidy, etc.

"Halston"

 

[tony]

"Halston"

Sadly I think we are the only two in that fan club, but that too!

 

[kwanette]

Sadly I think we are the only two in that fan club, but that too!

"Joey don't share food.." and kwanette doesn't share Kazuki!

 

[kwanette]

Sadly I think we are the only two in that fan club, but that too!

And Daisuke..

 

[ChillSkate]

I'm surprised at the comments here. Besides Ilia skipping out on the event and neither of the top two pairs going, the fields are pretty good. What was everyone expecting?

Look at dance especially! Three voidy French teams, Mrazeks, World Junior Champs, Lajoie/Lagha, top 2 in the US. In men, there's still Jason, Kevin, and Mikhail. Daiwei Dai is great, Luc Economides is voidy. Alysa is going, Wakaba is a fan favorite, Lara is super voidy, etc.

Let me try to explain why I find the Skate America field disappointing and why I think that it is likely disappointing for a number of people.

First of all, I'm taking this from the perspective of someone who is considering whether to go to Skate America, which is probably an American who is a fan of American skaters. While I am also a fan of skaters from many other countries, a lot of people who would go with me are more casual fans and are primarily interested in American skaters.

In Dance, I agree that the line-up is very strong (though for me, that is my least favorite event by far).

In Men's, many people would have assumed that Ilia would be at Skate America. Ilia was at Skate America in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recent history, the strongest US man has almost always been at Skate America (i.e., Nathan competed at Skate America in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). So, it is disappointing that Ilia is not at Skate America.

Furthermore, in Men's, it is extremely disappointing and really hard to believe that we will only have 2 US competitors instead of 3 as the host country. This is not what anyone would have expected.

In Women, while it is exciting to have Alysa, it is unusual to not have another American who is a top contender / well known at Skate America. In 2024, we had Isabeau and Bradie. In 2023, we had Isabeau and Amber. In 2022, we had Isabeau and Amber AND Gracie (who was not a top contender but was beloved and well known by many fans). This year, we have 2 TBD spots which will inherently go to 2 skaters who are not one of the Top 5 US contenders for the Olympics.

Pairs is dismal. I understand why this choice was made strategically but it is hard to get excited about a team that hasn't competed for a year and was very inconsistent when they did and a team coming up from Juniors who most casual fans do not know. I guess the third spot could be the reigning US Silver medalists if McBeath & Parkman are assigned but it is disappointing to not have either of the Top 2 US teams in the event.

Finally, there is no Gala, which is also disappointing.

And all of this is, of course, on top of the disappointing location choice.

As others have said, I would really love to hear an insider account of what happened to Skate America this year.

 

[tony]

In Men's, many people would have assumed that Ilia would be at Skate America. Ilia was at Skate America in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recent history, the strongest US man has almost always been at Skate America (i.e., Nathan competed at Skate America in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). So, it is disappointing that Ilia is not at Skate America.

Which would have to be a decision made by him, maybe because he had expected Skate America to be first and then had to switch things up. Agreed that he was obviously going to be a main attraction, and noted above.

Furthermore, in Men's, it is extremely disappointing and really hard to believe that we will only have 2 US competitors instead of 3 as the host country. This is not what anyone would have expected.

Which is maybe.. although not mentioned anywhere except I believe somewhere earlier in the thread.. because Ilia was originally slated, Skate America changed dates, and the ISU said they basically have to give up a spot by moving things around. I don’t know any insider info, but it could have very well been something like that.

In Women, while it is exciting to have Alysa, it is unusual to not have another American who is a top contender / well known at Skate America. In 2024, we had Isabeau and Bradie. In 2023, we had Isabeau and Amber. In 2022, we had Isabeau and Amber AND Gracie (who was not a top contender but was beloved and well known by many fans). This year, we have 2 TBD spots which will inherently go to 2 skaters who are not one of the Top 5 US contenders for the Olympics.

But it’s because all of the skaters earned their other spots without having to use host spots, which in turn gives more exposure to other skaters. Threads often turn into ‘this skater doesn’t get any opportunity!! X skater needs to retire!’ Now, the US has maxed out opportunity here. Isabeau and Amber should’ve hypothetically been able to choose this event, but it seems both turned it down.

Pairs is dismal. I understand why this choice was made strategically but it is hard to get excited about a team that hasn't competed for a year and was very inconsistent when they did and a team coming up from Juniors who most casual fans do not know. I guess the third spot could be the reigning US Silver medalists if McBeath & Parkman are assigned but it is disappointing to not have either of the Top 2 US teams in the event.

I have a feeling this comes down to Skate America changing dates again. Efimova would likely want Finland as she’s from there. Not sure about K/O.

Finally, there is no Gala, which is also disappointing.

There’s no gala in any of the events besides Japan from what I’ve heard a few months ago.

And all of this is, of course, on top of the disappointing location choice

That, 100% agreed. I’ve shared what I know about it- they had trouble finding a location on the date available, had to switch, and then it sounds like Lake Placid was maybe not even the first choice after the switch.

But I still think there’s a lot of great skating to be seen there! 3 of the four World Champions, after all

 

[kwanfan1818]

Why would USFS drive the date change if it wasn't an issue with a conflict at its first-choice space and moving to a time when it was free?

 

[tony]

Why would USFS drive the date change if it wasn't an issue with a conflict at its first-choice space and moving to a time when it was free?

What I was told by someone who correctly confirmed Lake Placid in the days before it was announced is that USFS bid on some locations that ended up not being possible on the original dates. When they switched, it sounds like there was a little hold up even confirming Lake Placid so I don’t know if other plans fell through again or if they just decided it would be there and that’s that.

 

[Karen-W]

It was reported in the general GP thread that the GPdF and SkAm switch was at the request of the FFSG not the USFS. The FFSG was having their own trouble securing a venue for GPdF and made the request at the ISU Exec Council meeting during Worlds. The USFS agreed and I suspect they didn't anticipate they would have so much trouble finding a decent location. Of course, they knew, when they agreed, that they had LP as a fallback measure no matter what, and that's what they got.

 

[Evgeniafan]

I actually would love to go to Lake Placid, but in October not November. This year is out ,because I just went to Worlds. And I think the lineup is pretty good. I would love to see Alysa and Kevin again.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Let me try to explain why I find the Skate America field disappointing and why I think that it is likely disappointing for a number of people.

First of all, I'm taking this from the perspective of someone who is considering whether to go to Skate America, which is probably an American who is a fan of American skaters. While I am also a fan of skaters from many other countries, a lot of people who would go with me are more casual fans and are primarily interested in American skaters.

In Dance, I agree that the line-up is very strong (though for me, that is my least favorite event by far).

In Men's, many people would have assumed that Ilia would be at Skate America. Ilia was at Skate America in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recent history, the strongest US man has almost always been at Skate America (i.e., Nathan competed at Skate America in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). So, it is disappointing that Ilia is not at Skate America.

Furthermore, in Men's, it is extremely disappointing and really hard to believe that we will only have 2 US competitors instead of 3 as the host country. This is not what anyone would have expected.

In Women, while it is exciting to have Alysa, it is unusual to not have another American who is a top contender / well known at Skate America. In 2024, we had Isabeau and Bradie. In 2023, we had Isabeau and Amber. In 2022, we had Isabeau and Amber AND Gracie (who was not a top contender but was beloved and well known by many fans). This year, we have 2 TBD spots which will inherently go to 2 skaters who are not one of the Top 5 US contenders for the Olympics.

Pairs is dismal. I understand why this choice was made strategically but it is hard to get excited about a team that hasn't competed for a year and was very inconsistent when they did and a team coming up from Juniors who most casual fans do not know. I guess the third spot could be the reigning US Silver medalists if McBeath & Parkman are assigned but it is disappointing to not have either of the Top 2 US teams in the event.

Finally, there is no Gala, which is also disappointing.

And all of this is, of course, on top of the disappointing location choice.

As others have said, I would really love to hear an insider account of what happened to Skate America this year.

Well, I think you kind of summed it up and I agree. And why is there no gala? I heard chatter about that before. Can you refresh my

I respect that some people like LP, and may live close to it, but on a scale of one to 10 it registers a one with me. And Hoffman Estates, Illinois and ironically I’m from one suburb away from there lol.

That’s why something like Finland or Prague sounds more exciting, so strange about the two US men’s skaters, and the Pairs field, I mean, come on now.

 

[Rukia]

it's fine when they can't fill up lp skam can return to it's real home- Allen, Tx

 

[HeatherC]

I'm excited to see the lineup at Skate America and to visit Lake Placid for the first time. I like attending the GP events and I'm kind of happy that I won't be getting all the skater programs right out of the gate but after they've had some time to see what works and what doesn't so they'll be a little more prepared and trained. I also have a great friend who lives near there so I am happy that I should get to see her while we're there. It should be a fun weekend.

 

[ChillSkate]

Which would have to be a decision made by him, maybe because he had expected Skate America to be first and then had to switch things up. Agreed that he was obviously going to be a main attraction, and noted above.

Which is maybe.. although not mentioned anywhere except I believe somewhere earlier in the thread.. because Ilia was originally slated, Skate America changed dates, and the ISU said they basically have to give up a spot by moving things around. I don’t know any insider info, but it could have very well been something like that.

Totally agree that Ilia made the decision not to go to Skate America. As you mentioned in your Youtube video, maybe he (and Amber and Isabeau and E/M and K/O) all decided to avoid Skate America due to the very inconvenient location. Nonetheless, it is still disappointing.

We may never know what happened to the third Men's spot. I was initially thinking maybe they negotiated the 3rd spot away to get Max assigned since he was so far down the list of skaters. Not sure how that works when a country convinces another host country to take a skater further down the list? But, then that doesn't make sense either because they could have just given the Host spot to Max and still had a spot for Jason AND a third one for Camden / Jacob. Really hard to understand what happened here

There’s no gala in any of the events besides Japan from what I’ve heard a few months ago.

I didn't realize every Grand Prix but NHK got rid of their galas this year - I heard that for Skate Canada but not the others. I wonder why - you would think an Olympic year would be the peak of popularity for the Grand Prix such that they could sustain a gala. Heck, they even had a gala at Skate America in 2022 at the Skate Club of Boston that they bussed people in for from the train station. And I would think they would earn some revenue from the galas since they are broadcast on Peacock.

I do agree though if you step out of the American fan who is considering going to Lake Placid perspective, the Skate America line up looks better - as you said, 3 reigning World Champions plus Ice Dance, Shaidorov (who knows what combos he will try this year), Kevin, Jason, Wakaba, Hana Yoshida (who generally does something innovative), Chaeyeon (who is by far the most innovative Korean woman), etc. Though the Skate America Pairs line up is still hard to get excited about from any perspective

 

[waddlercu]

I’m not sad that the gala is gone. I’ve always thought it was kind of a letdown. Many skaters were understandably tired at the end of the event and seemingly just trying to get through it.

I don’t think I’d bring a non skating fan friend to it. Maybe kids.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Much as I enjoy skating I confess I seldom attend the galas or watch them on the internet. Just not my thing.

 

[YukiNieve]

There’s no gala in any of the events besides Japan from what I’ve heard a few months ago.

Grand Prix of France had a gala last year. They will not have one this year?

Japan is likely to host a banquet as well, and they might set up a red carpet like last year so that fans can watch the dressed up skaters, lol.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I don't know of any ISU events where there aren't banquets.

The French GP gala used to, at least, be a big production, like a major show. Galas can be announced by local press, by Federation press releases -- if anyone cares about them* -- when tickets go on sale, or through the specific GP announcement, depending on which comes first.

Have Grand Prix de France tickets gone on sale yet?

*Fort Worth (TX) just hosted The Cliburn piano competition, and it was all over the Fort Worth and Dallas press, but it depends on the city whether anyone cares, especially about something that could be considered niche.

 

[Debbie S]

I believe NHK is the only GP with a banquet (banquet is not the same thing as the on-ice "gala" exhibition). I know SA doesn't have one.

 

[nylynnr]

It was reported in the general GP thread that the GPdF and SkAm switch was at the request of the FFSG not the USFS. The FFSG was having their own trouble securing a venue for GPdF and made the request at the ISU Exec Council meeting during Worlds. The USFS agreed and I suspect they didn't anticipate they would have so much trouble finding a decent location. Of course, they knew, when they agreed, that they had LP as a fallback measure no matter what, and that's what they got.

This is exactly what I heard happened.

 

[jägerbomb]

What I was told by someone who correctly confirmed Lake Placid in the days before it was announced is that USFS bid on some locations that ended up not being possible on the original dates. When they switched, it sounds like there was a little hold up even confirming Lake Placid so I don’t know if other plans fell through again or if they just decided it would be there and that’s that.

Ridiculous. USFS needs to get their shit together. Can you imagine Morry Stillwell or Claire Ferguson taking such a laissez-faire approach?