PSA's 2017 U.S. Open Pro comp.; 'EDI' Nationals Best Performance, coaching & other award winners

[Sylvia]

The Professional Skaters Association (PSA) announced the winners of the annual "Best Performance" at 2017 U.S. Nationals back on March 7: https://www.facebook.com/ProfSk8rsA...977363114767/1364203376958820/?type=3&theater
Karen Chen's SP, Nathan Chen's FS (his 2nd win in a row), Madison Chock/Evan Bates' FD, Ashley Cain/Timothy LeDuc's SP, and Haydenettes' Synchro Senior FS.

A formal presentation of these awards will take place during U.S. Figure Skating’s Champs Camp later this year.
The EDI awards are named after the late World and Olympic coach, Edi Scholdan, who died in the 1961 world team plane crash.
Scholdan was the first president of the PSA and inspiration for the Education and Dedication International (EDI) Awards.

Criteria and Winners through 2016: http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/Best-Performances.html

U.S. Figure Skating/PSA Annual Coaching Awards (includes Coach/Developmental Coach/Choreographer of the Year) - criteria and winners through 2016: http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/Joint PSA USFS EDI Awards.html
I haven't come across a list online of the 2016-17 season nominees yet.
My guess is that Tammy Gambill is likely to win her first Coach of the Year award (for Karen Chen's gold/4th place at Worlds & Vincent Zhou's silver & Jr. World title).

EDI Award descriptions and winners through 2016: http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/PSA Edi Awards.html

The 2017 EDI winners will be announced during the annual PSA Conference awards dinner. This year it will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The PSA annual conference/trade show is taking place this year from May 24 to 27, 2017.
Christy Krall was the featured speaker this year; Frank Carroll, Tom Zakrajsek, Tammy Gambill, Jim Peterson & Amanda Evora, Patrice Lauzon, Kori Ade (with Jason Brown demonstrating spins) and Cindy Stuart are some of the scheduled presenters: http://www.skatepsa.com/Conference 2017/Agenda.html

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The U.S. Open Professional Championships was held in Antioch, TN on Tuesday, May 23.
PSA's group photo of the participants this year: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUdl1JtjfvW/?taken-by=profsk8rsassoc

Jonathan Cassar - Grand Champion award: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUhaxdtFles/?taken-by=jjcassar

Cordero Zuckerman - Creative Visionary award: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUdlaKqlZhE/?taken-by=corderozuckerman

Kristen Nardozzi & Nick Traxler - Skater's Skater award: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUdd6wEANyg/

Garrett Kling - Ground Breaker award - performance clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUeniJNgeyl/?taken-by=garrettkling&hl=en
With Zuckerman on the left: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUflrYHA1Hs/

(The plan a few months ago was that videos would be on Icenetwork at some point.)

 

[Sylvia]

JOINT PSA USFS EDI AWARDS - gala dinner in Nashville, Tennessee on May 26, 2017

Coach of the Year: Tammy Gambill (her first win) - photo: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868292491317047296/photo/1

Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award: Rohene Ward (his second win in 3 years), presented by Jason Brown (13-second clip): https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868288618951036933/video/1

Developmental Coach(es) of the Year: Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, Dmytri Ilin of Wheaton Ice Skating Academy (their second win in 3 years).

Pieter Kollen Sport Science Award for use of scientific technology in figure skating: Lee Cabell - photo: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868284567949541377/photo/1

PSA EDI AWARDS

The Betty Berens Award: Scott Hamilton - 17-second clip: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868282663978840065/video/1
Established in memory of Betty Berens who gave unselfishly of her time and talent both on the ice and off. It is presented to a coach who has overcome adversity - physical or emotional - and who has continued in dedication and perseverance to serve their profession with dignity and fortitude.

Gustave Lussi Award: Charlie White (he previously won this in 2014)
https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868289600774688769
Presented to a male, professional skater who has brought recognition to the sport in a positive and favorable manner.

Sonja Henie Award: Judy Thomas
Presented to a female, professional skater who has brought recognition to the sport in a positive and favorable manner.

F. Ritter Shumway Award: Susi Wehrli McLaughlin - photo: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868280955005435905/photo/1
Presented to a person who has earned distinction for unending dedication and significant contribution to the world of figure skating.

Joe Serafine National Volunteer of the Year Award (co-winners): Tim Covington - photo: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868287167197577216/photo/1
Recognized for outstanding service to the PSA over the past year.

Distinguished Official Award: Gale Tanger

2017 Shulman Award for Lifetime Achievement Award: Carol Murphy - closeup of her award trophy: https://twitter.com/ProfSk8rsAssoc/status/868279772601876480/photo/1

Fritz Dietl National Award: World Arena Ice Hall in Colorado Springs, CO

Action Photo of the Year: Vicki Luy

 

[skatemommy]

gosh sylvia, you are so appreciated. Always a wealth of knowledge. I hope to meet you someday. Please let me know if you are ever in Michigan!

 

[mgobluegirl]

Anyone have a link to the action photo of the year?

 

[aftershocks]

^^ Yes, I'd love to see that too. Also, I wonder what Lee Cabell's scientific technology contributions to the sport were? I wish the award recipient clips were a bit longer... I suppose there isn't a link to more of the ceremony?

 

[Sylvia]

U.S. Open article with quotes from the 4 winners: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/06/01/233282874

Cassar, this year's Grand Champion "skated to a cover version of Lady Gaga's 'Million Reasons' sung by Robert Mauti, a gospel singer who is also a skater and has competed with American Ice Theatre."

"I watched almost everyone and thought there were a lot of great performances, innovative things and really challenging choreography," said Cassar, a coach in San Diego. "I tried to bring passion to what I was doing, and I felt a great connection with this piece of music. I tried to show intricate transitions and things I hadn't done before because I wanted people to feel something when they watched the program.
"I love coaching and doing choreography, but it's truly awesome to also have an outlet like this," he added. "I feel like I'm still growing as a performer, and I'd love to do it again next year."

ETA:

Also, I wonder what Lee Cabell's scientific technology contributions to the sport were?

https://www.researchgate.net/projec...omuscular-Tests-on-Figure-Skating-Performance

 

[Sylvia]

From the IN article linked above:

Cordero Zuckerman, recipient of the Creative Visionary Award, which is presented to the most innovative skater, is helping young skaters in the Chicago area develop their choreography. He's also preparing to go on tour with Cirque du Soleil's upcoming ice show Crystal, which opens in October.

Zuckerman uploaded his lyrical acro piece to Patrick Watson's "Lighthouse": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWphIMKT56E

Cirque du Soleil's Crystal tour thread in GSD: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/cirque-du-soleil-on-ice.101309/

 

[YukiNieve]

Videos of the U.S. Open Professional Championships are on Ice Network site:

Group 1: http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v1454938483
Group 2: http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v1454992683

 

[Sylvia]

Cassar, this year's Grand Champion "skated to a cover version of Lady Gaga's 'Million Reasons' sung by Robert Mauti, a gospel singer who is also a skater and has competed with American Ice Theatre."

Thanks, @YukiNieve!

http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v1454992683

At about 35:17 mark, you can see Jonathan Cassar skate for the U.S. Open Professional Championships this May.
A gorgeous skate as always!