2020-21 U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[ice coverage]

... what surprised me, in the podcasts and interviews I have heard (Camden Pulkinen in “Lutz Get Down to Business“ for example) is how skaters liked the cardboard audience. None said it was the real thing, but they all genuinely appreciated it, to varying degrees. ...

Nathan actually mentioned that he was a bit spooked out by the combination of realistic appearance and unrealistically large size of the cutouts But he quickly got used to them and joined voices in appreciating the effort. I think we're going to look back fondly at those weird cardboard audience (and KC zoom board) as a memoriam of skating competitions in the pandemic era

Yes, I recall that many of the skaters appreciated the cardboard cutouts in the otherwise empty arena.
(Which is not to say that they did not need a little time to get used to the presence of the cutouts instead of a live audience.)

And I believe that skaters were/are mindful and appreciative that the cardboard cutouts raised money for the USFS Memorial Fund.
The Memorial Fund has been a source of financial support for many U.S. skaters who compete at Skate America and/or Nationals -- including Nathan Chen, as just one example.
For the benefit of the Memorial Fund, the cardboard cutouts at Nationals raised $50,000, and the cardboard cutouts at Skate America raised over $14,000.
Nothing for skaters (or for fans) to sneeze at.

---

ETA:

In hindsight, it occurred to me that I inadvertently might have given the wrong impression about the Memorial Fund by mentioning only Nathan by name (although I like his comments in the YouTube video that I hyperlinked above).​

In a 2018 video (starting at approx. 0:36), Joe Klein (then an Intermediate) gave thanks for support from the Memorial Fund. When USFS posted the video on Facebook, it said, "This year, the Memorial Fund will support over 200 talented skaters from the intermediate to senior levels."​

Per his website, I think Nathan started receiving support from the Memorial Fund in 2012 (in other words, long before his success as a Senior).​

Vincent also is a Memorial Fund recipient, going at least as far back as 2013.​

Etc., etc.​

 

[TontoK]

Here's a new jump from Ilia Malinin: 4Loop.

Not a great look at it. I think it looks a little wonky late in the air, and it's too far away to see if it was around. But kudos for pushing himself.

Anyway:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_YhgFH2uI/

Edit: In the comments, someone asks when his 4A is coming. He replies "soon soon."

Of course, he's posted one in harness... but is he for real? Who knows, he's pretty daring. We'll see.

 

[Skater Boy]

Yes, I recall that many of the skaters appreciated the cardboard cutouts in the otherwise empty arena.
(Which is not to say that they did not need a little time to get used to the presence of the cutouts instead of a live audience.)

And I believe that skaters were/are mindful and appreciative that the cardboard cutouts raised money for the USFS Memorial Fund.
The Memorial Fund has been a source of financial support for many U.S. skaters who compete at Skate America and/or Nationals -- including Nathan Chen, as just one example.
For the benefit of the Memorial Fund, the cardboard cutouts at Nationals raised $50,000, and the cardboard cutouts at Skate America raised over $14,000.
Nothing for skaters (or for fans) to sneeze at.

---

ETA:

In hindsight, it occurred to me that I inadvertently might have given the wrong impression about the Memorial Fund by mentioning only Nathan by name (although I like his comments in the YouTube video that I hyperlinked above).​

In a 2018 video (starting at approx. 0:36), Joe Klein (then an Intermediate) gave thanks for support from the Memorial Fund. When USFS posted the video on Facebook, it said, "This year, the Memorial Fund will support over 200 talented skaters from the intermediate to senior levels."​

Per his website, I think Nathan started receiving support from the Memorial Fund in 2012 (in other words, long before his success as a Senior).​

Vincent also is a Memorial Fund recipient, going at least as far back as 2013.​

Etc., etc.​

Wow. this is positive. As for sneezing make sure you are wearing a mask and sneeze in your arm. Mind yo in the USA masks are going way of the dodo bird or the days shoulder pads in skating dresses.

 

[el henry]

The International Skating Pool for men has been updated by USFS.

https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1398030661005496326

in addition to Alex K, two skaters have been removed: Nicholas Hsieh and Joseph Kang (both skate out of Delaware, although for different clubs).

Joseph in particular was impressive at his senior debut. Had a great broken leg sit spin, and I love me some broken leg sit spins (quite enjoyed Nicholas among the junior men too).

Sylvia says on Twitter that Nicholas will be attending Cornell and Joseph also wants to concentrate on other ventures in college.

 

[Amei]

The 90s child in me says I would not hate this for a SP:

 

[TontoK]

The International Skating Pool for men has been updated by USFS.

https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1398030661005496326

in addition to Alex K, two skaters have been removed: Nicholas Hsieh and Joseph Kang (both skate out of Delaware, although for different clubs).

Joseph in particular was impressive at his senior debut. Had a great broken leg sit spin, and I love me some broken leg sit spins (quite enjoyed Nicholas among the junior men too).

Sylvia says on Twitter that Nicholas will be attending Cornell and Joseph also wants to concentrate on other ventures in college.

Interesting that Yaro Paniot is not on that list.

 

[daffygirl]

Interesting that Yaro Paniot is not on that list.

He doesn't have U.S. citizenship yet so he can't complete internationally for the U.S.

 

[StitchMonkey]

He doesn't have U.S. citizenship yet so he can't complete internationally for the U.S.

That is not accurate

He can not compete at the Olympics without citizenship, but can in general.

For example Bruno Massot was competing for Germany as early as 2015 but did not gain citizenship till 2017.

 

[happycamper2554]

Interesting that Yaro Paniot is not on that list.

His release from Ukraine might not be official yet

 

[daffygirl]

That is not accurate

He can not compete at the Olympics without citizenship, but can in general.

For example Bruno Massot was competing for Germany as early as 2015 but did not gain citizenship till 2017.

Interesting. Why isn't he in the ISP then? Why wasn't he named as an alternate for the World Team? (I'm not arguing. I'm genuinely curious. )

 

[TontoK]

His release from Ukraine might not be official yet

Ahhh, I bet that's it. I knew it wasn't a citizenship problem for international events other than the Olympics. After all, Alex K was on the list previously.

 

[el henry]

Forget Yaro (yes I know he's the hot new thing and I certainly wish him no harm ) but far more importantly to me Andrew T. is not on the list

My understanding, and I have no idea where I got this, is that you must have competed for the US in the previous year to be eligible for the list. Which neither Yaro nor Andrew did.

I also believe they can compete in summer comps/Challengers to get themselves on the list.

But I could be making this up

 

[Amei]

His release from Ukraine might not be official yet

The Ukrainian Fed said that he would be released at the end of May 2021 so perhaps when the list was done up it was not official yet

https://www.ifsmagazine.com/waiting...ne,at international competitions next season.

Next season it will be a brand new ball game for Paniot. Ukraine has a policy that all athletes who compete at an Olympic Games are subject to a three-year waiting period to be released. In mid-January, the Ukraine federation confirmed to Tatjana Flade/IFS that Paniot would be released on May 21, 2021, which will open the door for him to represent the U.S. at international competitions next season. While he believed he would be released sometime in the spring, he was unaware of the actual date.

 

[TontoK]

Forget Yaro (yes I know he's the hot new thing and I certainly wish him no harm ) but far more importantly to me Andrew T. is not on the list

My understanding, and I have no idea where I got this, is that you must have competed for the US in the previous year to be eligible for the list. Which neither Yaro nor Andrew did.

I also believe they can compete in summer comps/Challengers to get themselves on the list.

But I could be making this up

I brought up Yaro just because his name stuck out as a high-placing finisher at Nationals last year. I don't necessarily consider him to be the hot new thing... in my mind, that's Malinin... Yaro is the hot last-season thing, and I'm hopefully waiting on validation this season. Like you, I don't wish either of them harm.

Yaro's absence from the list has been explained, but I wish I were clearer on Andrew. Not that I would normally question your thoughts on a matter like this, but you don't seem entirely certain, and if YOU aren't certain about anything, then I count that as valid cause for my own uncertainty.

I wish we had more intel on how Andrew is doing with Raf.

 

[Ross74]

The International Skating Pool for men has been updated by USFS.

https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1398030661005496326

in addition to Alex K, two skaters have been removed: Nicholas Hsieh and Joseph Kang (both skate out of Delaware, although for different clubs).

Joseph in particular was impressive at his senior debut. Had a great broken leg sit spin, and I love me some broken leg sit spins (quite enjoyed Nicholas among the junior men too).

Sylvia says on Twitter that Nicholas will be attending Cornell and Joseph also wants to concentrate on other ventures in college.

It’s interesting that their coach Viktor Pfeifer also announced this week that he is leaving DE to coach in Colorado Springs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPV0od0Jzzk/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[el henry]

It’s interesting that their coach Viktor Pfeifer also announced this week that he is leaving DE to coach in Colorado Springs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPV0od0Jzzk/?utm_medium=copy_link

Very interesting indeed. I don't know what other skaters Viktor had in Delaware or if anyone would choose to follow him.

My presumption would be that for Nicholas at least, if he intends to attend classes at Cornell, Delaware might as well be Colorado (yes four hour drive vs. four hour flight, but neither is convenient for training ).

 

[el henry]

US Figure Skating's takeover of the Ivy League continues.

Camden Pulkinen has been admitted to Columbia U. and plans to start classes in the Fall 22 semester:

Hey everyone, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you! I am ecstatic to announce that I will be attending Columbia University starting in the Fall 2022 semester to complete my undergraduate degree in financial economics. I am looking forward to being a part of the Columbia community and see what New York City has to offer! While difficult, I plan to maintain my role within Team USA while simultaneously pursuing academic excellence! Thank you all for the support

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl6gwYpM1x/

(Very nice photo of Camden in his Colombia sweatshirt. And cute comment from GF Karen Chen)

 

[moonvine]

US Figure Skating's takeover of the Ivy League continues.

Camden Pulkinen has been admitted to Columbia U. and plans to start classes in the Fall 22 semester:

Hey everyone, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you! I am ecstatic to announce that I will be attending Columbia University starting in the Fall 2022 semester to complete my undergraduate degree in financial economics. I am looking forward to being a part of the Columbia community and see what New York City has to offer! While difficult, I plan to maintain my role within Team USA while simultaneously pursuing academic excellence! Thank you all for the support

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl6gwYpM1x/

(Very nice photo of Camden in his Colombia sweatshirt. And cute comment from GF Karen Chen)

Oooh..might he skate at Collegiates?

 

[el henry]

Oooh..might he skate at Collegiates?

Maybe, but he doesn't start Columbia until 2022.

And he has competed in the senior comp at Philly, as you know

 

[ice coverage]

... I will be attending Columbia University starting in the Fall 2022 semester to complete my undergraduate degree in financial economics. ...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl6gwYpM1x/

...

Oooh..might he skate at Collegiates?

Maybe, but he doesn't start Columbia until 2022.

And he has competed in the senior comp at Philly, as you know

99.99% sure that Camden earlier was a full-time college student at UCCS (à la his old friend and fellow Scottsdale native Max Aaron).
IIRC, Camden said so as far back as 2018? (Although he probably later reduced that pace, given his exciting news that he will head to Columbia in 2022. )
So FWIW, I think Camden probably would have been eligible for Collegiates in at least one previous year, but did not enter?
OTOH, as you guys know, within the same week in 2019, Joonsoo Kim won Collegiates (at IceWorks) and then competed in Philadelphia International ... so if logistics are favorable, it would not be unthinkable that Camden theoretically could follow in Joonsoo's footsteps in coming years.
(I would not be crazy about the possibility[???] of Collegiates becoming a permanent fixture at IceWorks ad infinitum, but at least the scheduling of Collegiates [wherever it is held] and Philadelphia perhaps would make it feasible to enter both events in the same year.)

Speaking of Max (who competed twice at Collegiates) ... in his recent interview for the USFS Collegiate Skating account, he spoke of his longtime mission to encourage other athletes to prioritize education as well as training.
I loved Max's comment on Camden's Insta announcement:

maxtaaron Atta boy!!!! ​