U.S. Women [#4]: How Dare You

[tennellicious]

that's great news Starr is landing triples already!

I was REALLY hoping Levito would try a different choreographer this season, but hopefully we'll at least get more mature music and packaging. I couldn't with that juvenile long program.

 

[BittyBug]

Excerpt of Sonja Hilmer's new SP to music from The Matrix. This woman can really skate and I hope I have the chance to see this live.

"Some rules can be bent. Others, broken. ð¥" Sonja Hilmer performs her 2024 "Matrix" Short Program

Sonja Hilmer debuts her new 2024 Senior Short Program to “Clubbed to Death” from The Matrix Soundtrack by Rob Dougan.Choreography by Sonja Hilmer. She is coa...

www.youtube.com

 

[Willin]

It's such a shame that Sonja's jumping isn't competitive internationally since she's probably the most interesting women's skater out there these days in just about everything else.

 

[Allskate]

Excerpt of Sonja Hilmer's new SP to music from The Matrix. This woman can really skate and I hope I have the chance to see this live.

I love the knee/slide move, and it's cool what she does with her arms while doing the cantilever.

 

[Sylvia]

Quite a number of figure skaters appreciated the clip of Sonja's SP (originally posted in the Programs/Choreographers thread on June 1):

On Ice Perspectives' clip of Sonja Hilmer's new short program: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs8zD2oIyKy/
Music: “Clubbed to Death” from The Matrix Soundtrack by Rob Dougan
Choreographer: Sonja Hilmer
In her own Instagram post yesterday she called it "one of the most intense short programs I've ever made " [slo mo of her cantilever]: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs5KV7GN3Qz/

Sonja Hilmer (USA) announced her FS music yesterday [5/28/23] with a clip of her footwork to the end: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csy8yhfA4ch/

FS: Themes from Avatar: The Last Airbender [animated TV series] by The Track Team and Samuel Kim
Choreographer: Sonja Hilmer

"You must look within yourself, to save yourself, from your other self. Only then will your true self... reveal itself"

I'm excited to start the new season program announcements off with my free program! I will be skating to a medley of themes from Avatar: The Last Airbender both by the Track Team and Samuel Kim @samuelkimmusic

Avatar was (and still is) a staple of my childhood (I'm still a child) and I can't believe I hadn't though of skating to it before Choreography, music editing, and costume design will all be by me! Extra points to whoever can recognize what's in the step sequence

And of course this fire videography is by the one and only @oniceperspectives Shout out to the rest of the skaters for the background excitement

Re-posting here (from the 2023 U.S. Nationals Gala thread) ... Sonja was invited to perform in the gala of her first Nationals where she performed in character as "Jinx" from the Netflix series Arcane: League of Legends - 3 clips: https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1668728735489564674 & https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1668729605543415809

 

[Frau Muller]

Many cool moves by Sonja…but a shame that she’s not competitive.

 

[Wyliefan]

Looks like Millie Murdock is switching to Spain.

https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1672634228746465285

 

[Sylvia]

Emilia Murdock's switch is confirmed (OES News thread): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/oes-news-22-23.109888/page-5#post-6444351

 

[Sylvia]

Sonja Hilmer has designed and made her FS dress, revealed here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct6yWNFrqVm/

She also helped choreograph Courtney Hicks' programs - Courtney had posted last month about her return to competition "after realizing how much I missed it": https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cset2espyPt/

Both will make their season debuts at the Broadmoor Open tonight - I've posted the starting orders/results link in the 2023 U.S. Club & NQS Competitions thread, along with my compilation of the top Senior/Junior scores so far this season, in the Kiss & Cry section: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2023-u-s-club-nqs-competitions.110799/

 

[Sylvia]

2023 Grand Prix assignments as of June 28 (13 spots/6 women):

Isabeau Levito: Skate America (#1) & France (#3) SB #6 / WS # 4
Bradie Tennell: China (#4) & Japan (#6) SB #14 / WS #44
Amber Glenn: Skate America (#1) & Finland (#5) SB #17 / WS #17
Starr Andrews: Skate Canada (#2) & Finland (#5) SB #28 / WS #27
Lindsay Thorngren: Skate Canada (#2) & Japan (#6) SB #19 / WS #18
Audrey Shin: Skate Canada (#2) & Cup of China (#4) SB #32 / WS #15
Skate America: 1 TBD

Next 5 on ISU SB total scores list (age-eligible & listed in USFS' ISP):
35 Ava Marie ZIEGLER (9th at Nationals)
49 Hanna HARRELL (WD after SP)
53 Sonja HILMER (10th)
55 Gracie GOLD (8th)
58 Clare SEO (7th)

 

[Rukia]

Very fun to have Amber at skam. While Allen was not where she ever trained, I definitely saw her around sometimes so it's close enough to being at home for her.

 

[toddlj]

I guess it's time for someone to create an early "who will get the TBD at Skam" poll.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ There's a "June edition" of the poll in the Trash Can now!

2023-24 Team Envelopes were published today:

TEAM A
Isabeau Levito

TEAM B
Bradie Tennell
Amber Glenn
Starr Andrews
Josephine Lee
Lindsay Thorngren
Ava Ziegler
Audrey Shin

TEAM C
Clare Seo
Gracie Gold
Soho Lee
Elyce Lin-Gracey
Sherry Zhang

TEAM D
Katie Krafchik
Hannah Herrera
Annika Chao
Keira Hilbelink
Jessica Jurka
Melania Blecic

Criteria document is published here: https://www.usfigureskating.org/sit.../2023-24 Athlete Support Funding Criteria.pdf

D-2 criterion says "Placements 1st – 2nd in the novice singles sectional rankings in the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating National Qualifying Series" but it appears that the top 2 in Novice at each of the 3 Sectionals (of the 6 who qualified to compete by placement at Nationals in Junior) are listed in the D envelope except for Ela Cui (who is currently in the ISP) and Olivia Flores (who qualified for Team D in Junior Pairs - maybe that will be her focus this season?).

I've compiled team envelope questions to forward and included the ones noted above.

 

[Willin]

Interesting Gracie's on there - based on the fact that she's joining the coaching staff of Johnny's new academy, I thought she was retiring. Either she hasn't made it official or she's going to both coach and skate?

 

[Debbie S]

Interesting Gracie's on there - based on the fact that she's joining the coaching staff of Johnny's new academy, I thought she was retiring. Either she hasn't made it official or she's going to both coach and skate?

Apparently, Gracie is not part of Johnny's school: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/the-johnny-weir-skating-academy.110609/post-6446352

 

[Willin]

@Debbie S Interesting that she was one of the first big names they mentioned only to be scrubbed off everything. Maybe she's planning on joining later or changed her mind?

 

[happycamper2554]

No idea if it's related but per TSL Gracie's memoir will be coming out in February 2024 and seems like she's coming for USFS and everyone else

https://twitter.com/SkatingLesson/status/1675286382783131649

 

[aml78]

@Debbie S Interesting that she was one of the first big names they mentioned only to be scrubbed off everything. Maybe she's planning on joining later or changed her mind?

Probably determined that staying active will make for better promotion for the book. Sounds like it will be quite the bombshell. I hope she deferred joining the team and that nothing went on behind the scenes. But if she’s coming for USFS it could be challenging for her to be a competitive coach.

 

[coppertop1]

I hope Gracie takes no prisoners. It's time to get real about the dark side of figure skating. Listened to how Tara and Johnny were so tude about her in 2016-17, really makes me angry. USFSA needs a reckoning

 

[ptvvibezz]

The starting order for the 2023 US Junior Team Cup (JGP Assignments decider) has been posted

2023 U.S. Junior Team Cup

Event Results for 2023 U.S. Junior Team Cup

ijs.usfigureskating.org

 

[tennellicious]

I hope Gracie takes no prisoners. It's time to get real about the dark side of figure skating. Listened to how Tara and Johnny were so tude about her in 2016-17, really makes me angry. USFSA needs a reckoning

I agree with you.

EDIT - just saw the post above Gracie isn't coaching with Johnny anymore. Go Gracie!

 

[Jayar]

Random skater meeting: I ran into Angela Wang last night on my European cruise. She was shocked that I recognized her. She looks amazing and was so gracious in being recognized. He ship friends all confirmed what we already know-- that she is an amazing skater

 

[happycamper2554]

Random skater meeting: I ran into Angela Wang last night on my European cruise. She was shocked that I recognized her. She looks amazing and was so gracious in being recognized. He ship friends all confirmed what we already know-- that she is an amazing skater

This happened to me as well. She was incredibly nice. Although I probably traumatized her by mentioning her long from her last competitive season (oops). I thought it was a great program.

 

[Sylvia]

For those who don't have access to the Kiss & Cry section, here are the final results for the 2023 U.S Junior Team Cup women's event in Milwaukee last week: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/nonqual_results/2023/33637/CAT002.html

Winner Elyce Lin-Gracey's post with clips from her FS & SP (to "Someone Like You" from the Jekyll & Hyde musical), plus an on ice group photo of all 19 women: https://www.instagram.com/p/CudbWDkLjmA/

Elyce Lin-Gracey's 1st place FS (music is "Anna’s Theme" from The Red Violin / "Not About Angels" by Birdy / "Remember Me" by Thomas Bergersen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh1VN6xfmKg

Annika Chao's 2nd place FS with 7 triples (Adele's "Easy on Me" was her Novice/Junior FS music last season): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwZUmniGet0

Teryn Kim shared a video of her 3rd place FS to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet that starts with the "Rose Adagio": https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cucd3PqgETy/
She competed Novice last season (4th at Pacific Coast Sectional) and qualified for the National Development Team and ISP this season.

 

[sheetz]

All performances from Skate Milwaukee and Junior Cup are available on the Chicago Star Photo site

Skate Milwaukee 2023

Downloading the Digital Files Videos are only available in digital download format and all the events are shot except compete events which is when cones divide the rink in two. Digital Downloads are high-definition videos that can be saved on your computer hard drive, you have 90 days to do...

www.chicagostarphoto.com

 

[Stephanie]

Cross-posting from the JGP thread, but the US ladies have picked up an extra spot at JGP Yerevan, so there will be 8 ladies' spots in total: 1 in each event aside from Yerevan, where there are 2.

There will be definitely some tough decisions for USFS here. I hope they look some of the NQS results as they can (for example Glacier Falls in 2 weeks where presumably a number of JGP candidates will be competing).

 

[Sylvia]

I haven't had a chance to listen yet - Polina Edmunds' latest podcast episode (July 11) is with Josephine Lee, 15, who was an impressive 5th in her 2023 senior national debut thanks to her 4th place FS:

The Iron Butterfly: On the Rise (ft. Josephine Lee)

bleav.com

Clip shared by Polina: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cukg6URMTpV/

ETA that Josephine named her current coaches in Lakewood, CA as Amy Evidente, Jonathan Cassar & Ivan Dinev and says she enjoys training with Starr Andrews and Soho Lee there.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Courtney Hicks and her coach Joshua Farris are interviewed on This Week in Skating this week!

This Week in Skating Podcast: This Week in Skating / Interview with Courtney Hicks and Josh Farris on Apple Podcasts

Show This Week in Skating Podcast, Ep This Week in Skating / Interview with Courtney Hicks and Josh Farris - Jul 19, 2023

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Karen-W]

The ISP has been updated this week -

Added -
Michelle Lee
Katie Shen
Wren Warne-Jacobsen (I think she's been re-added?)

Removed (prior to this week) -
Gabriella Izzo
Kate Wang

USFS' International Selection Pool was updated recently and lists 44 women right now [Nationals/4CC/Junior Worlds/Worlds placement(s) included below]:

Competed Senior at 2023 Nationals and/or Sectionals (or WD due to injury), competed senior internationally in 2022-23; * = U.S. senior level women still ISU Junior age-eligible in 2023-24:
Starr Andrews [S4]
*Alena Budko
*Elsa Cheng [S16]
Ting Cui [S12]
Alexa Gasparotto [new addition to ISP; S17]
Amber Glenn [S3/4CC/W12]
Gracie Gold [S8]
Hanna Harrell [S-wd after SP]
Jill Heiner
Sonja Hilmer [S10]
Gabriella Izzo [S11; plans to switch her focus to pairs acc. to her March 19th Instagram post]
*Josephine Lee [S5/JW19]
*Isabeau Levito [S1/4CC-wd after SP/W4]
*Hannah Lofton
*Nicole Park
Maryn Pierce
*Clare Seo [S7/JW8]
Audrey Shin [S13]
Bradie Tennell [S2/4CC/W15]
*Lindsay Thorngren [S6]
*Kate Wang
Lindsay Wang [new addition to ISP; S14]
*Ava Ziegler [S9]

ISU Junior age-eligible in 2023-24 (Sectional placement included for some):
Sonia Baram [J8/M-J5]
Mia Barghout [J12]
Juliana Barshay [J; did not compete at Eastern Sectional]
Annika Chao [new addition to ISP; J9/P-N1]
Ela Cui [J11/E-N1]
Sarah Everhardt [J13]
Lilah Gibson [new addition to ISP; J16]
Hannah Herrera [J6]
Logan Higase-Chen [J10]
Athena Huang [P-N5]
Jiaying Ellyse Johnson [new addition to ISP; M-N5]
Jessica Jurka [new addition to ISP; J7/M-N1]
Mia Kalin [P-J5]
Teryn Kim [new addition to ISP; P-N4]
Katie Krafchik [J5]
Soho Lee [J1/JW15]
Elyce Lin-Gracey [J3]
Cleo Park [new addition to ISP; P-N3]
Phoebe Stubblefield [J-wd after SP]
Sherry Zhang [J4]
Adele Zheng [J-wd/M-J1]

 

[Coco]

I hope Kate is ok.