U.S. Men 2020-21 season news & updates

[Sylvia]

With the team envelopes having been published today, it's time for a new season thread (even though who knows how this season will turn out?).

There are currently 23 men listed in USFS' ISP (Nationals/Sectionals placements/team envelope skaters are noted):

The International Selection Pool (ISP) includes junior- and senior-level athletes and teams who meet criteria approved by the U.S. Figure Skating International Committee. These athletes and teams are eligible to be considered for assignment to international competitions.

Nathan Chen S1 (Team A)
Jason Brown S2 (Team A)
Tomoki Hiwatashi S3 (Team B)
Vincent Zhou S4 (Team B)
Andrew Torgashev S5 (Team B)
Alex Krasnozhon S6 (Team B)
Camden Pulkinen S7 (Team B)
Dinh Tran S8 (Team C)
Ryan Dunk S11 (Team C)
Maxim Naumov J1 (Team C)
Ilia Malinin J-wd (Team C)
Eric Sjoberg J2 (Team C)
Liam Kapeikis J3 (Team C)
Lucas Altieri J4 (Team D)
Nicholas Hsieh J5 (Team D)
Joseph Kang J6 (Team D)
Chase Finster J7
Matthew Nielsen J8
Samuel Mindra P-N1/J10 (Team D)
Daniel Martynov M-N2/J12 (Team D)
Joseph Klein M-N1/J13 (Team D)
Robert Yampolsky E-N1/J14 (Team D)
William Annis E-J6

Team D (not in ISP but likely in the Athlete High Performance Development Pool):
Kai Kovar P-N2/J11
Jacob Sanchez E-N2/J17

There are published criteria re. qualifying for team envelope funding - link is posted in this thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...opes-international-selection-pool-isp.107349/

 

[Jeschke]

Seems like Paniot switched to Todd Eldrege.

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

Why isn't he in the ISP btw?

 

[misskarne]

Phil Hersh has confirmed that Jason is finally back in Canada and quarantining!

https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/1278451141970452480

Thank goodness. I was starting to get really concerned that he was going to be trapped away from TCC for months yet. He must have got some kind of special exemption to cross the border.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Glad to hear Jason was able to cross the border! Here's Phil Hersh's latest Q&A with Jason (that he mentioned in his tweet linked above):

Jason Brown remains optimistic facing uncertain skating season

Whether there is competition next figure skating season or not, Jason Brown remains optimistic and focused on the 2022 Winter Olympics.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Alternate link for the same article:

Jason Brown remains optimistic facing uncertain skating season

Whether there is competition next figure skating season or not, Jason Brown remains optimistic and focused on the 2022 Winter Olympics.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[misskarne]

Hold up, did Hersh just have an interview with Jason where he didn't ask about the quad?!

 

[feraina]

^^^ Glad to hear Jason was able to cross the border! Here's Phil Hersh's latest Q&A with Jason (that he mentioned in his tweet linked above):

Jason Brown remains optimistic facing uncertain skating season

Whether there is competition next figure skating season or not, Jason Brown remains optimistic and focused on the 2022 Winter Olympics.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Alternate link for the same article:

Jason Brown remains optimistic facing uncertain skating season

Whether there is competition next figure skating season or not, Jason Brown remains optimistic and focused on the 2022 Winter Olympics.

sports.yahoo.com

Gosh he had a hard time getting into Canada. I’m glad he made it back.

So sweet he cooked for his whole family everyday! They’re lucky to have him. Wonder who’s doing the cooking now.

 

[Sylvia]

Misha Ge tweeted a photo with Jimmy Ma and his SP music back in March: https://twitter.com/mishageofficial/status/1238612099338612736

Jimmy Ma - SP
Come Together - Justice League
(Music Retuned by Misha Ge)
#ChoreoAndMusic
#TeamUSA

In April, Alex Krasnozhon shared a clip on his IG "two weeks before rinks shut down" and said he and Alex Johnson "were able to work and create my new short program. I’ll be skating to “Heart Upon My Sleeve” by Avicii and Imagine Dragons": https://www.instagram.com/p/B_LTlnfJuaw/

 

[Sylvia]

2019 Peggy Fleming Trophy winner Jason Brown, 2018 PFT winner Tim Dolensky, and Camden Pulkinen are the 3 U.S. men who appear in this promo video for the 2020 virtual edition of the artistic competition: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCUTPE2AJ6O/

It will be streamed via USFS' Fan Zone platform on Friday, July 17‬ starting at 7 pm Eastern time.

Jason mentioned on flyingonice's Instagram Live chat‬ today that Rohene Ward has created his PFT program and he will work on it with Tracy Wilson and record it when he returns to the ice in Toronto (he's due back tomorrow).
ETA link to watch Part 1: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCW7txDJlhR/
Part 2: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCW_S24pqBz/

 

[Sylvia]

Vincent Zhou captioned this 4T clip "Progress": https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbjFaeJGqX/

Ilia Malinin shared a clip of his first 4T: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbe6lqJej5/

 

[Sylvia]

I've posted the starting order for the Peggy Fleming Trophy virtual competition, streaming this Friday, here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...21-skating-season.107193/page-21#post-5834077
In addition to Jason, Tim and Camden, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Andrew Torgashev, Jordan Moeller and Emmanuel Savary are participating.

This Torgashev fan account got permission to share his planned PFT program music (choreo. by Torgashev and Joshua Farris): https://twitter.com/andrewtorgjpfan/status/1283408058618527744

 

[wickedwitch]

This Torgashev fan account got permission to share his planned PFT program music (choreo. by Torgashev and Joshua Farris): https://twitter.com/andrewtorgjpfan/status/1283408058618527744

So excited to see this collaboration!

 

[misskarne]

This Torgashev fan account got permission to share his planned PFT program music (choreo. by Torgashev and Joshua Farris): https://twitter.com/andrewtorgjpfan/status/1283408058618527744

I cannot wait to see this!

 

[aftershocks]

Here's more info:

2020 Peggy Fleming Trophy – Peggy Fleming

www.peggyfleming.com

Peggy Fleming Trophy figure-skating competition goes virtual

With over 60 years of figure-skating experience, Peggy Fleming has learned to adapt to change. The latest challenge was when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of ice rinks around

gazette.com

 

[aftershocks]

This Torgashev fan account got permission to share his planned PFT program music (choreo. by Torgashev and Joshua Farris): https://twitter.com/andrewtorgjpfan/status/1283408058618527744

Interesting. The music video is very eerie. I guess the program will be more about the beat than the strange music video theme.

 

[Sylvia]

Here's more info:

Thanks, I've been posting the Peggy Fleming Trophy article links in the "...feasibility of 2020-21 skating season" thread.

Camden Pulkinen spoke about his PFT program in Hersh's article today, linked here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...21-skating-season.107193/page-21#post-5834807

Pulkinen, who competed in the first two editions of the Peggy Fleming Trophy (finishing second in 2018), also did three takes, using the third, as videographed by Torgashev. His performance, to “In This Shirt” by The Irrepressibles, enlarged on the new short program choreographed for him by Josh Farris.

“I tried to treat it as if each run-through was my only shot, the way it would be in a normal competition, instead of falling back on the mindset that if one was bad, I have multiple attempts,” Pulkinen said. “I felt the same sense of relief one would typically feel at the end of a competition.”

 

[wickedwitch]

I am really glad that Josh is able to do choreography regularly. I know of several cases where someone suffered from severe concussions and never really resumed living a normal life. While I will always be a bit sad we don't get to see him skate anymore, I am so happy he's not confined to a dark, quiet room for the rest of his life.

Bonus: we get to watch his choreography.

 

[misskarne]

I am really glad that Josh is able to do choreography regularly. I know of several cases where someone suffered from severe concussions and never really resumed living a normal life. While I will always be a bit sad we don't get to see him skate anymore, I am so happy he's not confined to a dark, quiet room for the rest of his life.

Bonus: we get to watch his choreography.

I'm so excited we get to see two programs from him at this event! He's starting to get picked up a bit more. I'd love to see him work with more higher-level skaters. I know he's coaching a lot at the World Arena too.

You don't need triples for PFT...I still hope maybe one day...

 

[Sylvia]

2020 Peggy Fleming Trophy virtual competition thread (includes program music info): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...y-fleming-trophy-2020-virtual-edition.107405/
Jason told Nick McCarvel after he won the PFT that "Melancholy" is "one of two short programs he's choreographed for the coming season" with Rohene Ward.

Vincent Zhou's new free skate to Muse's "Algorithm" was choreographed by Misha Ge - watch his video announcement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCxhp7XH4IV/

 

[PinkRose]

2020 Peggy Fleming Trophy virtual competition thread (includes program music info): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...y-fleming-trophy-2020-virtual-edition.107405/
Jason told Nick McCarvel after he won the PFT that "Melancholy" is "one of two short programs he's choreographed for the coming season" with Rohene Ward.

Vincent Zhou's new free skate to Muse's "Algorithm" was choreographed by Misha Ge - watch his video announcement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCxhp7XH4IV/

Such a great event esp with no sports happening right now.

 

[Sylvia]

Maxim Naumov artcle by @Eislauffan (originally published in the IFS June 2020 issue): https://www.ifsmagazine.com/maxim-naumov-parental-inspiration/

He had planned to compete on the JGP (before the series was cancelled) in his final season of ISU Junior age eligibility.

 

[Sylvia]

Yaroslav Paniot has a new Elvis Presley free skate (medley of "Heartbreak Hotel," "Can't Help Falling in Love" & "Hound Dog" according to his hashtags), choreographed by Misha Ge: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLAfZSJ6Pw/

Why isn't he in the ISP btw?

He must not have met any of the current ISP criteria (not published online), but perhaps he will have an opportunity to qualify at a later date?

 

[skatingguy]

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Video link also is in Nathan's fan thread - he can be glimpsed -- mid-jump morphing -- near the end of this new Nike ad campaign with other big name athletes.

ETA Nathan's comment on his IG post that accompanies the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDR5bTkny0F/
"Nothing can stop what we can do together. Proud to join @nike in committing to positive change — and to coming back stronger, together."

 

[Sylvia]

Colin McManus has choreographed both competitive programs again for Ryan Dunk (will turn 20 in October).
SP: "Winter Song" performed by Leslie Odom Jr.: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMX1xQlBFf/
David Bowie Medley FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDCMZ8il6u-/

 

[Sylvia]

Andrew Torgashev has shared "Some tricks in Vail" (3 clips): https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXH-FfJsLx/

Dobson Arena hosted Vail Skating Festival’s Summer Training Experience this pat weekend with Christy Krall, Tammy Gambill, Damon Allen, Eddie Shipstad and Drew Meekins coaching, and I've seen Joe Klein in Courtney Hicks' Instagram photo (he occasionally spends some time training in Colorado).

I don't recall if Torgashev has confirmed whether or not his SP music ("Put It On Me" by Matt Maeson, choreo. by him and Josh Farris) is an edited down version of what he performed to at Peggy Fleming Trophy? Here's his IGTV video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCw9bN2pj8h/

 

[clairecloutier]

Nathan's comments on the ISU's decision to go ahead with "Grand Prix":

Nathan Chen is surprised, grateful and posing questions about figure skating's restart

Nathan Chen was slightly surprised to learn figure skating's Grand Prix Series will go on as scheduled this season, albeit with more localized fields.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[Sylvia]

Vincent Zhou debuted his "Vincent" SP last night at Cup of Colorado - here's a video captured from the livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DTTpnsVAKs
I believe Lori Nichol choreographed. He scored 103.95 [60.12 TES/43.83 PCS]; jumps were 4Lz+3T, 4S & 3A (bracket entry).

Tomoki Hiwatashi debuted his SP to "Standards" by Leslie Odom Jr. and scored 84.23 - 4T, 3A, 3Lz+3T (no credit for his flying camel spin): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7MpmWoORu4

 

[Sylvia]

Vincent Zhou's new free skate to Muse's "Algorithm" was choreographed by Misha Ge

Vincent debuted this program at the Cup of Colorado this past Saturday - thanks to @DobrinFan for this video from the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn3uxOoDbb8
Jumps: 4Lz+3T (+GOE=19.53 points), 3F, 4S<, 3A, 4T< fall, 3A+2T, 'Rippon' 3Lz+1Eu+3S; received level 4 on 2 spins & the footwork sequence, tripped & fell in his final choreographic footwork seq. He scored 176.69 [92.19 TES/86.50 PCS -2 ded.].

Joseph Klein skated his Junior programs in exhibition at Cup of Colorado (scored 67.30 in SP & 108.84 in FS).
He shared a fan cam clip of the 3F+3T combo in his SP to "Don't Speak" (according to @haribobo, it's a cover of the original song by No Doubt): https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9O8-IJt8Q
His opening 3A< (fall) in his SP and 3Lz+3T landed in the FS are both new elements in competition for him this season - good to see his summer training in Colorado Springs appears to be paying off.

 

[olympic]

Vincent debuted this program at the Cup of Colorado this past Saturday - thanks to @DobrinFan for this video from the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn3uxOoDbb8
Jumps: 4Lz+3T (+GOE=19.53 points), 3F, 4S<, 3A, 4T< fall, 3A+2T, 'Rippon' 3Lz+1Eu+3S; received level 4 on 2 spins & the footwork sequence, tripped & fell in his final choreographic footwork seq. He scored 176.69 [92.19 TES/86.50 PCS -2 ded.]

Good effort. I see improved movement (generally speaking) from Vincent and the music has a certain voidy quality, like something an OES from the 70s or 80s would choose. However I wish he would hold his body more taut and extend more in those spins. He has longer lines and he might revolve faster too (a couple were decent though)

 

[Sylvia]

Vincent has confirmed that Lori Nichol choreographed his "Vincent" SP (video linked in post #27) in this new article by Brandon Penny:

Vincent Zhou Continues Carving Complicated Path Toward More International Success - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Between his first college semester, brutal commutes to training, two months off ice, a coaching change, going four months between competing and a global pandemic

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Excerpt:

Facilities in Colorado closed upon his arrival, but after nearly two months off the ice he was able to work on his short program, which will be set to the Josh Groban version of "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" and was choreographed remotely by Nichol.
"I chose the music because obviously the title is very unique to me, but beyond that it's such a beautiful song and interpreting it with Lori was a very interesting, creative process," he recalled. "Sometimes it's cool to be able to see a program where you're not necessarily playing a character but rather interpreting the lyrics."

ETA Vincent's SP announcement via IGTV video (includes clips from his Cup of Colorado skate): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEHhclVH02-/