Bereswill Runs Away with JGP Final Gold

The gold medalist at the SBS ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) of Figure Skating Final for the 2008-09 season was USA’s Becky Bereswill, who is also a champion distance runner. The 18-year-old had qualified for the Final by winning silver medals at the JGPs in Spain and France, but was the sixth-ranked skater coming into the event.

“My goal was to qualify for the Final,” she said. “When I made it, I was happy I achieved my goal, but in the back of my mind, I wanted to medal. I knew it would be inspirational to be with the seniors and hoped to skate well.”

Only fourth after the short program, Bereswill scored almost 15 points…

2008-09 Grand Prix Final of Figure Skating Preview

Goyang City, South Korea will be center stage for both the Junior and Senior Grand Prix Final. The event will take place December 10-14, 2008 at the Seongsa Ice Rink. It will be the first time the International Skating Union (ISU) merges both divisions at the same time, and promises to be a memorable competition.

The six-event Senior Grand Prix (GP) circuit began in October with Skate America in Everett, Wash., and ended in November with the NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan. Approximately 40 men, 41 ladies, 33 dance teams, and 30 pair teams competed for points throughout the series, with only the top eight skaters/teams in each discipline earning a spot to the Final.

A very talented sextet of ladies will challenge for the title of Grand Prix Final Champion, and this season, the competition is deceptively closer than ever.

Leading the charge is two-time and defending champion Yu-Na Kim (18) from South Korea. Kim has proven herself to be the…

2008-09 Junior Grand Prix Final of Figure Skating Preview

Goyang City, South Korea will be center stage for both the Junior and Senior Grand Prix Final. The event will take place December 10-14, 2008 at the Seongsa Ice Rink. It will be the first time the International Skating Union (ISU) merges both divisions at the same time, and promises to be a memorable competition.

The eight-event Junior Grand Prix (JGP) circuit began with JGP Courchevel (France) in August, and ended in October with the JGP John Curry Memorial in Sheffield, Great Britain. Approximately 121 men, 173 ladies, 72 dance teams, and 35 pair teams competed for points throughout the series, with only the top eight skaters/teams in each discipline earning a spot to the JGP Final.

As in past seasons, American and Japanese ladies dominated the Junior Grand Prix, winning all eight events, and capturing 18 of the 24 medals awarded. Leading the way is an impressive quintet of American ladies who could sweep the podium if they skate up…