Article from IN on the ladies event:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2015/08/03/140874772
Sayuri is a really awesome fan! She and her group of friends (some came from Japan, Sayuri is based in the U.S.) sat in front of Mr. P and I at Skate America in 2012 and then I bumped into them again in Boston during a men's practice session. They are super friendly and I really enjoyed talking to them.
I'm really sorry to hear she lost her husband unexpectedly. But so nice to hear Sean was willing to be there for her like that.
The Rabbitt family in general are extremely generous and great ambassadors for the sport. His father, who is active in the Glacier Falls Figure Skating Club, led efforts three years ago to help my local ice rink after someone stole hundreds of feet of copper wire. That theft basically threatened the rink's operation for that winter. The Glacier Falls club gave a very generous donation and Mr. Rabbit also went on FSU to get others to donate (and they did). Thanks to that support, the rink has been doing well (as well as a volunteer-run with a shoe string budget can) since then.
In other words, the success of the club competition can also impact and help others outside of the confines of the skating club.
Sometimes we get caught up in all the competition and uber fandom, debate, politics, blah blah blah it's nice to discuss the other -- more positive and uplifting -- aspects of our sport.