Colonel Green
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With the discussion about the Grand Prix, I was looking over the Challenger events to try to figure out where people will be heading this year — especially among the top teams.
Papadakis/Cizeron usually don’t do Challengers.
The Autumn Classic is first up this year, and I expect with Gilles/Poirier as the top-ranked team (unless P/C do decide to do a Challenger, in which case it would make sense to return here). Skate Canada (logically) prefers to have its top dance team attend this. You’d expect there to again be heavy turnout from Quebec- and Ontario-based dance teams.
Lombardia is easy: another win and big season-opening score for Guignard/Fabbri.
Hubbell/Donohue also sounded like they weren’t going to do a Challenger this year, skipping their customary berth at the U.S. Classic. You’d similarly expect that the USFSA would want one of the other top US teams to make the trip — Chock/Bates are obviously an option, though they have more history with Nebelhorn. An alternative would be for Hawayek/Baker to go.
After that you have the next three European Challengers. Sinitsinsa/Katsalapov won Nepela Trophy last year; they might make a return appearance, or go to Nebelhorn (as previously noted, Chock/Bates also have a history there).
Stepanova/Bukin have gone to Finlandia four of the last five seasons, so every reason to think that will continue.
Papadakis/Cizeron usually don’t do Challengers.
The Autumn Classic is first up this year, and I expect with Gilles/Poirier as the top-ranked team (unless P/C do decide to do a Challenger, in which case it would make sense to return here). Skate Canada (logically) prefers to have its top dance team attend this. You’d expect there to again be heavy turnout from Quebec- and Ontario-based dance teams.
Lombardia is easy: another win and big season-opening score for Guignard/Fabbri.
Hubbell/Donohue also sounded like they weren’t going to do a Challenger this year, skipping their customary berth at the U.S. Classic. You’d similarly expect that the USFSA would want one of the other top US teams to make the trip — Chock/Bates are obviously an option, though they have more history with Nebelhorn. An alternative would be for Hawayek/Baker to go.
After that you have the next three European Challengers. Sinitsinsa/Katsalapov won Nepela Trophy last year; they might make a return appearance, or go to Nebelhorn (as previously noted, Chock/Bates also have a history there).
Stepanova/Bukin have gone to Finlandia four of the last five seasons, so every reason to think that will continue.