Everett, USA

2018 World Champion Nathan Chen (USA) and several world medalists kick-off the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate America in Everett, WA (USA) from October 19 to 21, is the first of six events.

Overview of the event

GP US Prev Nathan Chen 2018 CREDIT ISU 937334638

Nathan Chen (USA) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

Chen enters his first full competition following the ISU World Figure Skating Championships last March. The challenge should come from 2017 World Junior Champion Vincent Zhou (USA) and ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finalist Sergei Voronov (RUS). Other contenders include Nam Nguyen (CAN), Michal Brezina (CZE), Morisi Kvitelashvili (GEO) and Alexei Bychenko (ISR). 2018 World Junior bronze medalist Matteo Rizzo (ITA) debuts at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.

GP US Prev Satoko Miyahara 2018 CREDIT ISU 937124924

Satoko Miyahara (JPN) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

World bronze medalist Satoko Miyahara (JPN) and 2018 Four Continents Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) will face U.S. Champion Bradie Tennell in the Ladies event. They need to watch out for Loena Hendrickx (BEL), 2016 World Junior Champion Marin Honda (JPN), Polina Tsurskaya (RUS) and Starr Andrews (USA).

GP US Prev Evgenia Tarasova Vladimir Morozov CREDIT ISU 936025614

Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

World silver medalists Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS) are the ones to beat in the Pairs event. Competitors include U.S. Champions Alexa Scimeca Knierim/Chris Knierim, Annika Hocke/Ruben Blommaert (GER), Alisa Efimova/Alexander Korovin (RUS), who won Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany last month and Ashley Cain/Timothy Leduc (USA), who have two victories in the ISU Challenger Series in Salt Lake City (USA) and Bratislava (SVK) under their belts.

GP US Prev Madison Hubbell Zachary Donohue 2018 CREDIT ISU 888714924

Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

World silver medalists Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) lead the line-up in the Ice Dance event that looks open with medals up for grabs. Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA), Tiffani Zagorski/Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS), Alexandra Nazarova/Maxim Nikitin (UKR) and 2016 World Junior Champions Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter (USA) all hope to take a Grand Prix medal for the first time in their careers.

Overall, 59 Skaters/Couples representing 15 ISU Members compete in Skate America October 19-21, the first event of six in the series. The top 6 qualifiers in each discipline will proceed to the Final in Vancouver (CAN), December 6 to 9, 2018.

Schedule of the event

Friday, October 19                  Pairs and Men’s Short Programs
Saturday, October 20             Pairs and Men’s Free Skating, Ladies Short Program, Rhythm Dance
Sunday, October 21                Free Dance, Ladies Free Skating, Exhibition Gala

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit: https://isu.org/GrandPrix . Follow the discussion on social media by using #FigureSkating #GPFigure.