2015-16 Grand Prix assignments

[actualrealliveanna]

Some very interesting names in the ladies events! I'm probably the most excited to see Mariah Bell, Karen Chen, Elizabet Tursynbaeva, Angelina Kuchvalska and Hannah Miller make their senior Grand Prix debuts! Mariah and Hannah were two of my favorites last season, so I'm happy to see them representing the US at such major competitions!

Also excited to see the comebacks of Mao Asada and Kaetlyn Osmond, though I'm far more excited for Mao! And Kiira is back on the Grand Prix as well! Yay!

In Dance, I'm pleased to see that Fournier Beaudry/Sorensen are going to compete at Skate Canada!

 

[WeakAnkles]

Two junior dance teams moving up I definitely am keeping an eye for the future: Yanovskaya/Mozgov (I'm going to say it here now--they're the real Russian dance threat this quad) and Nazarova/Nikitin. Be interesting to see how they stack up at SA. Glad to see Hawayek/Baker getting the SA nod--they're the future of US dance...

And SO glad to see three of my favorite 'second tier' teams get invites: Hurtado/Diaz, Fournier-Beaudry/Sorensen and Testa/Czolley.

It will be interesting to see if Montreal does indeed become the new Detroit. Last quad we dance fanatics were complaining about 'cookie cutter' Detroit programs. I fear that's a real possibility for Montreal programs...

 

[Barb]

Super happy for Mao :dance:
but Sara and Adria only got 1 event

 

[AprilS]

The line up at SC is I almost want to extend my co-op placement here for the fall just to watch it! (as it is, I'm probably just going to fly in for the long programs + gala over the weekend, if I can).

Are you trying to fly directly into Lethbridge? I would recommend examining alternatives, such as flying into a major hub like Calgary (where airfare can be hundreds of dollars cheaper), and then renting a car. Still a 2 hour drive to Lethbridge, but you may want a car anyway if you're gonna be in such a small town for a few days.

Like my co-workers like to tell me, it's a bona fide city. The transit system here isn't ideal, but its functional.

 

[andromache]

Has it already been officially announced that Serafima would be staying in juniors? (It probably was and I missed it.) Anyway, if not, I guess this confirms that she's not moving up, which is a bit of a shame. I assume juniors will be a head-to-head between Higuchi and Serafima then.

So excited to see Elizabet competing as a senior! As far as the "newbies" go, I'm rooting for her, Mariah, and Hannah.

That men's lineup at SC .

 

[Barb]

Has it already been officially announced that Serafima would be staying in juniors? (It probably was and I missed it.) Anyway, if not, I guess this confirms that she's not moving up, which is a bit of a shame. I assume juniors will be a head-to-head between Higuchi and Serafima then.

So excited to see Elizabet competing as a senior! As far as the "newbies" go, I'm rooting for her, Mariah, and Hannah.

That men's lineup at SC .

yes it was official Serafima is still junior.

 

[karne]

*excited shrieks*

I can't believe you lot got to nine pages (while I was asleep) and yet no-one has mentioned The Most Wonderful Awesome Fantastic Amazing Incredible Brilliant thing!

BRENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

 

[Barb]

*excited shrieks*

I can't believe you lot got to nine pages (while I was asleep) and yet no-one has mentioned The Most Wonderful Awesome Fantastic Amazing Incredible Brilliant thing!

BRENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

who is Brendan?

 

[tzazu]

Brendan Kerry (Australia)

 

[Barb]

Brendan Kerry (Australia)

thank you

 

[charmblade]

Unfortunately, at this point, I "have horses" in all of the disciplines except dance. Lol So I HAVE to see Pairs, Men, and Ladies. Luckily, with 2+ people, the hotel costs aren't too bad. But then it's like, what am I going to do the rest of the time? Sty in the hotel since I'll be broke?

Maybe we shouldn't go too off topic here, but there are definitely some free (or free-ish) things to do in Boston. The city is super walkable with several nice parks and lots and lots of historical sites to see- check out the Freedom Trail. You can walk around the North End and see old buildings and eat cheap delicious pizza. In late March/early April it will probably be kind of cold but hopefully we won't have the 8 feet of snow that we had last year. I'm super lucky that Worlds are actually happening where I live, so I obviously already bought all-event tickets. In some ways its worse than taking a vacation because I have to figure out if I need to just take time off work or try to see if i can do everything without using vacation time. Luckily my work is a 5-minute walk from the Garden so I will be around the area the whole time.:dance:

 

[Jammers]

I was hoping Nathan Chen was moving up to Senior this year. If he's healthy he can more then compete against the other Senior men. Same with McNamara and Carpenter but i guess they are going back to the JGP yet again too.

 

[andyjo24]

Wow. This is a very, very strong list overall. I don't think I can call ANYONE weak in that list.

 

[b-man]

I'm so surprised Karen doesn't have a second spot (I know it's because of being mainly a junior and her poor placement at WJC), but you'd think the US #3 would have two... I'm assuming/hoping the 3rd spot at Skate America will be Chen. It's a no brainer, really.

Eighth at Jr Worlds with a 157 score, although she medaled at her jr GP's she scored 160 and 169, not exactly in the Medvedeva category. I don't think other Feds give much weight to her US Nationals score. 25th on season's best list and 36th in world standings. Certainly in the running for a second assignment. I agree, she will probably get the third SA slot, if no other Fed picks her due to a withdrawal.

 

[b-man]

mte. I thought they like Karen Chen.

I am sure the US Fed loves Chen. She is pretty new internationally, and I don't think other Feds give much weight to her US Nats performance.

 

[cheerknithanson]

*excited shrieks*

I can't believe you lot got to nine pages (while I was asleep) and yet no-one has mentioned The Most Wonderful Awesome Fantastic Amazing Incredible Brilliant thing!

BRENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

Should I cheer loudly for you if I go to Skate America?

 

[russell30]

Looks like the Grand Prix is going to be great, so pleased that Patrick, v/t, bobrova/soloviev and especially mao asada are back, so glad that menshov, kiira, kaaetlyn, Mirai and artemieva, haruka have slots. Good to see the old guard against the new. Shame Jeremy and Adelina are not competing.

I hope all have a great summer of training and all are injury free- let's hope!!!

 

[slider11]

Hoping Mirai does well at one of the early fall competitions and is given the mystery slot for US lady at Skate America. Go Mirai!

 

[russell30]

Hoping Mirai does well at one of the early fall competitions and is given the mystery slot for US lady at Skate America. Go Mirai!

Me too, just love mirai so much

 

[randomfan]

Wow, these assignments are great. Whereas last year some events were easy to predict, this year all the events have very strong competitors making it hard. What makes it harder is that we don't know Mao and Yulia's exact conditions, as well as if Evgenia will start strong in seniors. I was kind of looking forward to Mao vs. Elizaveta vs. Ashley in one event though. And I feel devastated for So Youn, I was hoping she would have got even just a bronze in the GP this season, but unless Evgenia and Yulia do horrible at SA (which I hope they don't) she has no chances. I feel sorry for Karen Chen but I do understand why she only got one assignment. And I'm among those people who were surprised that Gracie got into SA and not Ashley.