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Seven U.S. Skaters At NHK Trophy
By Scottie Bibb // U.S. Figure Skating Association // November 28, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 28, 2007) – The 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series finishes its qualifying events with seven U.S. skaters at the NHK Trophy in Sendai, Japan, Nov. 29-Dec. 2. Approximately 60 skaters from 18 countries will compete for points and prize money. NHK Trophy, which is taking place at the Sendai City Gymnasium, begins Thursday with the compulsory dance and pairs short program.
Seven U.S. skaters will compete in four disciplines: ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing. The U.S. team hails from six different states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The Grand Prix Series, now in its 13th season, consists of six international events in a cumulative point-scoring format. Approximately 300 athletes from 29 countries are expected to participate in the series. Each athlete is eligible to score points in two of the six scheduled events. The top six point-earners in each of the disciplines then qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Torino, Italy, Dec. 13-16. Athletes will be vying for a total of more than $1.35 million in prize money throughout the series.
Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir was the only American to bring home a medal from last weekend’s Cup of Russia. Sitting second after the short program, Weir edged Switzerland’s Stephane Lambiel to win the free skate and the gold medal. Bebe Liang finished in eighth place and ice dance team Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt finished 10th.
LADIES
After placing ninth at the Cup of China, Alissa Czisny returns to Asia for her second Grand Prix assignment. Czisny took home bronze from the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships and placed 15th at the 2007 World Championships.
MEN
Jeremy Abbott is back for his second Grand Prix appearance this season, after finishing eighth at Skate Canada. Stephen Carriere is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish at Skate America. The reigning World Junior champion, Carriere took home gold from the 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final.
PAIRS
The pairs team of Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker hopes to continue its medal-winning ways in Japan. With the exception of their silver medal at this year’s Cup of China, the pair has brought home a gold medal from every competition they’ve entered since their debut at last year’s JGP Hungary.
ICE DANCING
Hoping to improve on their sixth-place performance at Skate America are Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre. The team finished fourth at the 2007 U.S. Championships.
U.S. ENTRIES
DISCIPLINE NAME HOMETOWN TRAINING TOWN
Ladies
Name:Alissa Czisny
Hometown:Bowling Green, Ohio
Training Town:Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Men
Name:Jeremy Abbott
Hometown:Aspen, Colo.
Training Town:Colorado Springs, Colo.
Name:Stephen Carriere
Hometown:Wakefield, Mass.
Training Town:Boston, Mass.
Pairs
Name:Keauna McLaughlin
Hometown:Los Angeles, Calif.
Training Town:Colorado Springs, Colo.
Name:Rockne Brubaker
Hometown:Algonquin, Ill.
Training Town:Colorado Springs, Colo.
Dance
Name:Kimberly Navarro
Hometown:Santa Rosa, Calif.
Training Town:Ardmore, Pa. and Newark, Del.
Name:Brent Bommentre
Hometown:Horsham, Pa.
Training Towns:Ardmore, Pa. and Newark, Del.
In addition to the NHK Trophy, the Grand Prix consists of the remaining event:
Dec. 13-16-Grand Prix Final, Torino, Italy
– U.S. Figure Skating –
U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 1,425 member clubs and Basic Skills Programs representing approximately 184,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States, including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.
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