U.S. Men 2023-24 news & updates

[Sylvia]

The SC of Boston's website has posted the entries for 2023 Cranberry Cup International in Norwood, MA - 7 U.S. senior men and 6 junior men:

Senior (compete August 12-13):
Will Annis - season debut
Lucas Broussard - season & senior international debut
Liam Kapeikis - competing now at the Glacier Falls NQS; debuted SP to music from Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph Klein
Daniel Martynov
Daniil Murzin - senior international debut
Maxim Zharkov - competing now at the Charleston Open NQS

Junior (compete August 10-11):
Lorenzo Elano - won Skate Detroit; currently has 2nd highest NQS total score, 176.35
Aleksandr Fegan - competing now at the Charleston Open NQS
Kirk Haugeto
Jonathan Hildebrandt
Antonio Monaco - won Glacier Falls yesterday; currently has the highest NQS total score, 180.64
Taira Shinohara - 2nd in Skate Detroit NQS; currently has the 3rd highest NQS total score, 168.64
Beck Strommer - competing now at the Charleston Open NQS

I plan to update the top NQS (and other notable season best) scores in this thread by the end of the weekend.

 

[YukiNieve]

Jason had a short interview when he was in Osaka.
He is thinking of choosing Adios for this year's SP (He made 2 programs for SP).
Rohene will choreograph FS once Jason will be back in Chicago after the show, The Ice is over.

https://twitter.com/JasonBrownFP/status/1686210874078633984

 

[Karen-W]

JGP Osaka and Lombardia Trophy entries were published today.

Michael Xie got his 2nd JGP assignment and will be accompanied by Daniel Martynov.

Camden and Torgy are assigned to Lombardia.

 

[sk9tingfan]

Jason had a short interview when he was in Osaka.
He is thinking of choosing Adios for this year's SP (He made 2 programs for SP).
Rohene will choreograph FS once Jason will be back in Chicago after the show, The Ice is over.

https://twitter.com/JasonBrownFP/status/1686210874078633984

https://twitter.com/i/status/1691055470679658496

 

[Karen-W]

Ma, Malinin and Murzin are assigned to Autumn Classic.

 

[her grace]

Interesting that Xie is getting an early second assignment yet again. Would be nice to see how he actually skates in the first event before confirming a second.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Report from Kat Cornetta on Max Naumov's free skate exhibition at Cranberry:

Yes! He only attempted one quad - a Salchow - and fell. Nice triple Axel-double Axel sequence though. Good spins. Music is Tosca.

https://twitter.com/KatCornetta/status/1691483988630609920?s=20

 

[TanithandBenFan]

When I posted this video at SOI rehearsal of the skaters warming up to Succession, I had no idea this was Ilia’s new FS music! The 3A did look very on the beat.

https://x.com/ladywave4/status/1664742966345203712?s=46&t=-4teGSabTvGXystNvsOwhQ

 

[Frau Muller]

When I posted this video at SOI rehearsal of the skaters warming up to Succession, I had no idea this was Ilia’s new FS music! The 3A did look very on the beat.

https://x.com/ladywave4/status/1664742966345203712?s=46&t=-4teGSabTvGXystNvsOwhQ

Ilia came into focus just as he did the axel! Perfect timing!

 

[ice coverage]

Vincent Zhou will be in the Saturday Sep 9 cast of 2023 An Evening With Champions (Harvard's fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund, which supports the fight against cancer).
Saturday show only. (Ditto for Karen Chen.)

An Evening With Champions on Instagram: "We’re thrilled to have 2022 Olympic Team USA members @karebearsk8 and @govincentzhou joining the Saturday (9/9) cast of An Evening With Champions! . Get your tickets now on our website (link in bio) or at the

136 likes, 5 comments - aneveningwithchampions on August 19, 2023: "We’re thrilled to have 2022 Olympic Team USA members @karebearsk8 and @govincentzhou joining the Saturday (9/9) cast of An Evening With Champions! . Get your tickets now on our website (link in bio) or at the Harvard Box Office...

www.instagram.com

For both the Friday and Saturday shows, the cast announcement includes: Paul Wylie, Maxim Naumov, Ryan Dunk, Sean Rabbitt.
As usual, big names from other disciplines too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvsHzTerj-s/?hl=en​

Ticket information:

https://boxoffice.harvard.edu/Online/default.asp​

EWC home page:

https://www.aneveningwithchampions.org/​

Quick comment on NQS:

It's a pleasant surprise for me that Jordan Moeller is competing at this week's Minnesota L'Etoile du Nord Challenge. ​

ETA:​

A belated woo-hoo that Goku Endo has been added back to ISP.
And is listed as a sub for Lombardia. My fingers are crossed for a future Challenger assignment. ​

 

[Evgeniafan]

Vincent Zhou will be in the Saturday Sep 9 cast of 2023 An Evening With Champions (Harvard's fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund).
Saturday show only. (Ditto for Karen Chen.)

An Evening With Champions on Instagram: "We’re thrilled to have 2022 Olympic Team USA members @karebearsk8 and @govincentzhou joining the Saturday (9/9) cast of An Evening With Champions! . Get your tickets now on our website (link in bio) or at the

136 likes, 5 comments - aneveningwithchampions on August 19, 2023: "We’re thrilled to have 2022 Olympic Team USA members @karebearsk8 and @govincentzhou joining the Saturday (9/9) cast of An Evening With Champions! . Get your tickets now on our website (link in bio) or at the Harvard Box Office...

www.instagram.com

For both the Friday and Saturday shows, the cast announcement includes: Paul Wylie, Maxim Naumov, Ryan Dunk, Sean Rabbitt.
As usual, big names from other disciplines too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvsHzTerj-s/?hl=en​

Ticket information:

https://boxoffice.harvard.edu/Online/default.asp​

EWC home page:

https://www.aneveningwithchampions.org/​

Quick comment on NQS:

It's a pleasant surprise for me that Jordan Moeller is competing at this week's Minnesota L'Etoile du Nord Challenge. ​

ETA:​

A belated woo-hoo that Goku Endo has been added back to ISP.​

And is listed as a sub for Lombardia. My fingers are crossed for a future Challenger assignment. ​

Yelim Kim will be there.

 

[Karen-W]

Camden's ISU bio has been updated -
Short Program:
A Different Kind of Love by Son Lux
Free Skating:
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00035344.htm

 

[Karen-W]

Jimmy was just assigned to the FIN TBD spot at Espoo!

https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2023-24/grand-prix-4/entries-8/31415-men-4/file?force_isolation=true

 

[Sylvia]

Compilation of scores for 23 Senior men (NQS total scores are bolded) after last week's MN L'Etoile du Nord and this weekend's Battle of the Blades/Atlanta Open/Sherwood Inv. (competitions are listed in reverse chronological order & include internationals, Collegiate Nationals, the JGP selection comp. in July & non-NQS comps if the score is higher):

Kai Kovar [P1] 76.12 + 146.85 = 222.97 (Glacier Falls, 1st); 187.82 (US Jr. Team Cup, 3rd) [JGP #3 TUR]
Michael Xie 181.06 (JGP #1 THA, 6th); 73.71 + 148.82 = 222.53 (Collegiate Championships, 1st); [P6] 183.23 (Glacier Falls, 7th); 199.10 (US Jr. Team Cup, 1st) [JGP #4 JPN]
Jimmy Ma [bye] 83.05 + 139.44 = 222.49 (Cranberry Cup, 3rd)
Eric Sjoberg 82.65 + 138.93 = 221.58 (Collegiate Championships, 2nd); [P7] 174.33 (Glacier Falls, 8th)
Goku Endo 63.61 + 151.82 = 215.43 (Collegiate Championships, 3rd); [P2] 70.73 + 142.90 = 213.63 (Glacier Falls, 3rd)
Maxim Zharkov 187.01 (Cranberry Cup, 8th); [M1] 74.04 + 139.87 = 213.91 (Charleston Open)
Joseph Klein [M2] 73.74 + 138.48 = 212.22 (Battle of the Blades, 1st); 177.80 (Cranberry Cup, 13th); 161.07 (US Jr. Team Cup, 11th)
Daniil Murzin 188.40 (Cranberry Cup, 7th); 198.38 (US Jr. Team Cup, 2nd); [P] 75.96 + 132.37 = 208.33 (CCIA Comp.)
Liam Kapeikis 193.30 (Cranberry Cup, 6th); [P3] 68.46 + 133.00 = 201.46 (Glacier Falls, 4th)
Yaroslav Paniot [P4] 68.06 + 132.81 = 200.87 (Glacier Falls, 5th)
Will Annis [E1] 168.10 (Battle of the Blades, 3rd); 186.95 (Cranberry Cup, 9th)
Lucas Altieri 184.83 (Collegiate Championships, 4th)
Samuel Mindra [P5] 183.45 (Glacier Falls, 6th)
Philip Baker 183.39 (Collegiate Championships, 5th)
Paul Yeung [P8] 169.87 (Glacier Falls, 9th); 181.81 (LA Open)
Ian Kang 179.43 (Collegiate Championships, 6th)
Anthony Mugg [P] 177.38 (Southport)
Max Lake 176.59 (Collegiate Championships, 7th)
Jordan Moeller [M3] 176.52 (MN L'Etoile du Nord, 1st)
Lucas Broussard [P-bye] 174.31 (Cranberry Cup, 14th)
Nathan Chapple [M4] 169.48 (Battle of the Blades, 2nd)
Daniel Martynov [M] 168.51 (US Jr. Team Cup, 9th); [JGP #4 JPN]
Max Naumov skated his FS only at the Cranberry Open & scored 149.79 - his protocol: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2023/33443/SEGM036.html

CS Lombardia Trophy (Sept. 8-10, Bergamo ITA): Camden Pulkinen, Andrew Torgashev (sub: Goku Endo)
CS Autumn Classic (Sept. 14-16, Pierrefonds QC CAN): Ilia Malinin, Jimmy Ma, Daniil Murzin

JUNIOR Men current 12 top scores (NQS ones bolded):
Jacob Sanchez 77.69 + 123.80 = 201.49 (JGP #1 THA, 4th); 183.89 (US Jr. Team Cup, 5th); [E] 201.43 (Colonial Open)
Taira Shinohara [M1] 68.81 + 132.39 = 201.20 (Battle of the Blades, 1st); 161.27 (Cranberry Cup, 8th); 174.71 (US Jr. Team Cup, 7th)
Beck Strommer 186.11 (Cranberry Cup gold); [M2] 60.39 + 136.62 = 197.01 (Charleston Open); 186.57 (US Jr. Team Cup, 4th) [JGP #2 AUT]
Aleksandr Fegan [E1] 187.74 (Atlanta Open, 1st); 177.94 (Cranberry Cup bronze); 173.20 (US Jr. Team Cup, 8th)
Antonio Monaco 166.11 (Cranberry Cup, 7th); [M3] 180.64 (Glacier Falls, 1st); 155.72 (US Jr. Team Cup, 13th)
Lorenzo Elano 160.22 (Cranberry Cup, 9th); [M4] 176.35 (Skate Detroit, 1st); 179.75 (US Jr. Team Cup, 6th)
Kirk Haugeto [E2] 176.88 (Atlanta Open, 2nd); 170.76 (Cranberry Cup, 5th); 162.20 (US Jr. Team Cup, 10th)
Nicholas Brooks [P1] 172.62 (MN L'Etoile du Nord, 1st); 156.26 (US Jr. Team Cup, 12th)
Jared Sedlis [E] 171.30 (Cranberry Open SP+FS)
Zachary LoPinto [E3] 170.78 (Battle of the Blades, 2nd)
Andriy Kratyuk [P2] 164.23 (Sherwood Inv.); 151.19 (Collegiate Championships, Junior 1st)
Patrick Blackwell [E] 160.36 (Cranberry Open SP+FS)

 

[Sylvia]

CS Lombardia Trophy (Sept. 8-10, Bergamo ITA): Camden Pulkinen, Andrew Torgashev (sub: Goku Endo)
CS Autumn Classic (Sept. 14-16, Pierrefonds QC CAN): Ilia Malinin, Jimmy Ma, Daniil Murzin

Nebelhorn Trophy entries were published by the ISU today and Lucas Broussard is listed as the only U.S. man (no sub) - this will be his Challenger Series debut.

Jacob Sanchez (4th at JGP Bangkok for 9 points) is listed in the placeholder spot for JGP #6 in Gdansk, Poland. After his 1st place SP/4th overall last week in Bangkok, I'd love to see him get another opportunity! 8 photos from Bangkok in Jacob's Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwdhRZiyYjT/

Michael Xie (pulled up from 11th to 6th overall) also shared photos+clips: https://www.instagram.com/p/CweS5OOr4qL/

ETA that the U.S. man for JGPs #5 in Budapest & #6 in Gdansk are listed as 'TBD' on USFS' International Assignments page as of 8/29.

 

[Sylvia]

A timely Fan Zone article about Beck Strommer's interest in choreography before he competes in JGP Linz tomorrow!

Choreography Takes Strommer’s Skating to the Next Level - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Junior skater Beck Strommer may not always be on the ice, but the artistic side of the sport is never far from his mind.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[annie720]

A timely Fan Zone article about Beck Strommer's interest in choreography before he competes in JGP Linz tomorrow!

Choreography Takes Strommer’s Skating to the Next Level - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Junior skater Beck Strommer may not always be on the ice, but the artistic side of the sport is never far from his mind.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Interesting article but I thought he might mention his coaching situation. The article states that Beck moved to Co Springs in 2022 but it’s obvious he’s now working with Viktor Pfieffer in Aston, and his ISU bio indicates that. Did he follow Pfieffer back east from CO? I could have sworn his bio used to list a different coach in CO.

 

[Sylvia]

Interesting article but I thought he might mention his coaching situation. The article states that Beck moved to Co Springs in 2022 but it’s obvious he’s now working with Viktor Pfieffer in Aston, and his ISU bio indicates that. Did he follow Pfieffer back east from CO? I could have sworn his bio used to list a different coach in CO.

Yes, Beck moved to Aston, PA with Viktor Pfeifer during the summer. Sandy (Rucker) Straub was listed as his secondary coach in CO Springs in the 2023 Nationals program book.

Strommer skated a clean 3rd place SP (2A, 3F+3T & 3Lz with 'Rippon' arms on his triples) in Linz earlier today and 69.98 is his new ISU PB. He went back to last season's "Hip Hip Chin Chin" music -- looking forward to watching his FS on Saturday!

 

[Sylvia]

Belatedly re-posting from the JGP Linz/Cup of Austria Men's thread:

The article @Sylvia posted [#46 above] says Beck Strommer didn’t start skating until age 10.

Beck Strommer's 2nd place FS on Saturday (BRONZE MEDAL ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZpNpPo-pHw
3 ISU PB scores: 210.92 (Total) 69.98 (SP) 140.94 (FS)

Kiss & Cry reaction photos with Viktor Pfeifer: https://twitter.com/goldenskate/status/1698027667881165297

Beck's photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwvcxknLsmL/

JGP Linz
All of the overwhelming love and support I’ve received over the course of this competition is absolutely mind blowing.
Competing two clean programs, achieving three personal bests, and finishing on the podium was more than I could have ever hoped for.
Thank you @viktor_pfeifer for everything, I wouldn’t have gotten to this point if it wasn’t for you, I couldn’t ask for a better coach.
And thank you @usfigureskating @isufigureskating @skateaustria for organizing this event and giving me a chance to compete.
With all that being said, it’s still very early in the season so I can’t wait to get back to work and see what the rest of the season holds

 

[Sylvia]

[ETA: I've removed this NQS Sr./Jr. Men's current standings post (will post an updated version in the near future).]

 

[Karen-W]

JGP Yerevan assignments are out - Aleksandr Fegan gets his 1st assignment. Daniel Martynov is a placeholder on the official entries list, that spot is TBD on the USFS Int'l Assignments page.

Nepela Trophy entries - Maxim Naumov is assigned.

Of the US men with GP assignments, only Liam hasn't been given a Challenger yet - I'd guess he'll be sent to Finlandia. The non-CS Kings Cup Int'l in LA will likely have Andrew & Camden (Ilia will be in Japan along with Jason for the Japan Open).

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Misha Ge shared some clips of Torgashev’s free program:

https://instagram.com/stories/mishage8/3185251137006570767?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

[ice coverage]

... IIRC, Emmanuel made an allusion not too long ago on Instagram that he will compete at U.S. Collegiates (scheduled for Aug 3 - 4 in San Jose). ...

Update re Emmanuel Savary: He is on Senior Men entry list for Middle Atlantics NQS this week.
Along with Maxim Zharkov and Nathan Chapple. Also Ken Fitterer representing United Kingdom.
[Especially happy to see Savary's name after my post in June in last season's thread turned out to be wrong (sorry). He did not compete at U.S. Collegiates.]

Junior Men entry list for Mids NQS also looks great: Monaco, LoPinto, Kazanecki, Aleksandr Fegan, Sanchez, Haugeto, Blackwell, Sedlis, and others from U.S.
Also Lucas Fitterer representing U.K., and Tamir Kuperman representing Israel.

Will leave it to @Sylvia to post results link in Kiss and Cry thread (or maybe it already is there).

 

[Sylvia]

Viktor Pfeifer got “mic’d up” for Beck Strommer’s SP in Linz (3+ mins. video): https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw2GDYPo05V/

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Pfeifer’s last line in the video was especially .

ETA link to the YT video for those who might not be able to watch in Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIorKvIhto4

 

[Stephanie]

After Kai Kovar’s disappointing skate in Istanbul I think both Beck Strommer and Jacob Sanchez should have their second JGP assignments confirmed, if it hasn’t happened already.

Budapest seems like a much tougher event than Gdańsk, so it will be interesting to see who gets picked for which one.

 

[Karen-W]

After Kai Kovar’s disappointing skate in Istanbul I think both Beck Strommer and Jacob Sanchez should have their second JGP assignments confirmed, if it hasn’t happened already.

Budapest seems like a much tougher event than Gdańsk, so it will be interesting to see who gets picked for which one.

Wellll, let's see how Kai does in the FS. Recall that Michael Xie had a terrible SP in Bangkok 2 weeks ago and he managed to bounce back to finish 6th in the FS and overall there. I do agree, though, that I'd probably give Strommer the Budapest assignment (Kovar is the placeholder) right now. I'd maybe hold off on Sanchez and give the Gdansk spot to someone like Taira Shinohara. If Martynov or Kovar can manage to beat Jacob's Bangkok JGP score at their JGPs then they should get the 2nd Yerevan spot that is currently TBD.

 

[Evgeniafan]

Wellll, let's see how Kai does in the FS. Recall that Michael Xie had a terrible SP in Bangkok 2 weeks ago and he managed to bounce back to finish 6th in the FS and overall there. I do agree, though, that I'd probably give Strommer the Budapest assignment (Kovar is the placeholder) right now. I'd maybe hold off on Sanchez and give the Gdansk spot to someone like Taira Shinohara. If Martynov or Kovar can manage to beat Jacob's Bangkok JGP score at their JGPs then they should get the 2nd Yerevan spot that is currently TBD.

Jacob has the highest short program for the first 3 JGP, I think he earned his spot.

 

[Stephanie]

Wellll, let's see how Kai does in the FS. Recall that Michael Xie had a terrible SP in Bangkok 2 weeks ago and he managed to bounce back to finish 6th in the FS and overall there. I do agree, though, that I'd probably give Strommer the Budapest assignment (Kovar is the placeholder) right now. I'd maybe hold off on Sanchez and give the Gdansk spot to someone like Taira Shinohara. If Martynov or Kovar can manage to beat Jacob's Bangkok JGP score at their JGPs then they should get the 2nd Yerevan spot that is currently TBD.

I really can't see Kovar scoring the 150 points in the free skate that he would need to beat Jacob's Bangkok score, but we'll see if he proves me wrong on Saturday.

Personally I would favor Sanchez for a second assignment over Shinohara since Sanchez has a solid triple axel and thus a more likely shot at the junior worlds team.

The timing is tough as the Budapest spot has to be decided (if it hasn't been already) in the next few days as the skaters will leave in just over a week. Since Beck finished third in Austria, he mathematically has a better shot at the final than Jacob, so it would be better to send Beck to the easier event in Gdansk and thus Jacob to Budapest. On the other hand, one could argue that since Jacob has a triple axel he has a higher scoring potential and should be sent to Gdansk to try and win and make the final.

 

[Karen-W]

I really can't see Kovar scoring the 150 points in the free skate that he would need to beat Jacob's Bangkok score, but we'll see if he proves me wrong on Saturday.

Personally I would favor Sanchez for a second assignment over Shinohara since Sanchez has a solid triple axel and thus a more likely shot at the junior worlds team.

The timing is tough as the Budapest spot has to be decided (if it hasn't been already) in the next few days as the skaters will leave in just over a week. Since Beck finished third in Austria, he mathematically has a better shot at the final than Jacob, so it would be better to send Beck to the easier event in Gdansk and thus Jacob to Budapest. On the other hand, one could argue that since Jacob has a triple axel he has a higher scoring potential and should be sent to Gdansk to try and win and make the final.

Oh, I misread the earlier and thought Budapest was the easier of the two. You might be right in the strategy of sending Sanchez to Budapest though, since Hagara will be there and he has a very solid 3a. Strommer already lost to Hagara and Kim in Linz, and that was with Rossi having a very bad short there too.

 

[Stephanie]

Oh, I misread the earlier and thought Budapest was the easier of the two. You might be right in the strategy of sending Sanchez to Budapest though, since Hagara will be there and he has a very solid 3a. Strommer already lost to Hagara and Kim in Linz, and that was with Rossi having a very bad short there too.

Budapest is a really tough event. Along with the three you mention (Hagara, Kim, and Rossi) it also has Yudong Chen, who has both a 4S and 4T, as well as a 3A.