2024 CS Cranberry Cup International: Info and pre-game chat

[Jumping_Bean]

There has only been one North American Challenger in as long as I remember (not that many years as I wasn't really following challengers until maybe 10 years ago). Every other year, I go to ACI (when it's not too far for me). I wish it were every year but it has never been the case. This year, it's USA's turn to host... the fact that they split it into two events, and on top of that, super early events, is mind boggling, but that's USFS's entire decision. Skate Canada has nothing to do with how USFS will run its challenger event, and I guess the ISU was satisfied with the plan proposed.

While it is true that USFS and Skate Canada have been alternating hosting a Challenger since Covid (before, it was normal for both of them to be held in the same season), that arrangement is not mandated by the ISU - They couldn't care less who hosts the Challenger, just that one happens.

What I doubt a lot, is that the ISU was happy with the proposal by USFS - Not only is it unprecedented, it actually goes against the ISU rules themselves. I think them just accepting this is much more unlikely than them asking Skate Canada if they couldn't imagine hosting Autumn Classic for two years in a row.

 

[elbkup]

Is there going to be a stream that's accessible outside of the US? BTW I'm really looking forward to Lindsay's new programs. Last season was really good.

She might be keeping her SP from last year but don’t quote me..
Such a great line up in both men and women!!
Can not wait

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

She might be keeping her SP from last year but don’t quote me..

I wouldn't have any problem with that

 

[gsk8]

 

[elektra blue]

And some of us would like to join the prediction game too! But can't, because of the teeny little problem that is pairs and dance, that some of us don't follow.

i have the solution, start following them! see? problem solved. what would you do without me?

 

[gsk8]

No I can't. You have to do them all, and I know nothing about pairs and dance.

Sure you can! Don't let that stop you. Just "guess."

 

[AlysaLiuStan]

No Alysa?

 

[4everchan]

While it is true that USFS and Skate Canada have been alternating hosting a Challenger since Covid (before, it was normal for both of them to be held in the same season), that arrangement is not mandated by the ISU - They couldn't care less who hosts the Challenger, just that one happens.

What I remember is that the "challenger" status was alternating between both countries even prior to Covid. Just like Cranberry Cup or John Nicks were offered last year when ACI was the challenger event, while the others were what??? Series B??? I don't remember two challengers being held in North America since I go watch events live, so about 10 years.

What I doubt a lot, is that the ISU was happy with the proposal by USFS - Not only is it unprecedented, it actually goes against the ISU rules themselves. I think them just accepting this is much more unlikely than them asking Skate Canada if they couldn't imagine hosting Autumn Classic for two years in a row.

Really? I disagree. I am not the president of the ISU (yet LOL) but if I were at the helm and USFS proposed that very not so good arrangement, I would discuss with them but wouldn't want to create bad spirits between both North American feds. Let them alternate. The USFS is organizing worlds this year and that may have been also used as an argument. Asking Skate Canada to host two years in a row may have created more harm than good, and considering the finances of Skate Canada, and just having hosted worlds, I wouldn't count on them being able to offer ACI every year.

 

[4everchan]

When there are more Argentinian and Mexican skaters than Canadians... oh well things are not improving.
Very glad to see that the USA have used their privilege of unlimited entries... unlike their North American friends at last year's ACI.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

What I remember is that the "challenger" status was alternating between both countries even prior to Covid. Just like Cranberry Cup or John Nicks were offered last year when ACI was the challenger event, while the others were what??? Series B??? I don't remember two challengers being held in North America since I go watch events live, so about 10 years.

In 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 2019, both ACI and US Classic were Challengers. In 2015, only US Classic was a Challenger, but ACI was still held as a Senior B.
The alternating (and not holding the competition at all in seasons it is not a Challenger) has genuinely only started after Covid.

Really? I disagree. I am not the president of the ISU (yet LOL) but if I were at the helm and USFS proposed that very not so good arrangement, I would discuss with them but wouldn't want to create bad spirits between both North American feds. Let them alternate. The USFS is organizing worlds this year and that may have been also used as an argument. Asking Skate Canada to host two years in a row may have created more harm than good, and considering the finances of Skate Canada, and just having hosted worlds, I wouldn't count on them being able to offer ACI every year.

I don't think the ISU president is particularly concerned about which competitions happen where in the figure skating branch. As for bad spirits between two federations - Wouldn't be the first, the worst or the last dispute between federations (reminder: Both the UDSSR and the US were ISU members during the Cold War)
I also didn't say that Skate Canada would have been willing (or able) to host ACI (clearly not), just that they would have been asked before USFS would have been given the permission to hold "one" Challenger at two separate events.

 

[4everchan]

In 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 2019, both ACI and US Classic were Challengers. In 2015, only US Classic was a Challenger, but ACI was still held as a Senior B.
The alternating (and not holding the competition at all in seasons it is not a Challenger) has genuinely only started after Covid.

Okay. My memory is already failing me... fair enough.

I also didn't say that Skate Canada would have been willing (or able) to host ACI (clearly not), just that they would have been asked before USFS would have been given the permission to hold "one" Challenger at two separate events.

I am not knowledgeable enough in what the ISU leaders really want or don't want to comment on this. At this point, all I can see happening is alternating challengers... and it is not good.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

At this point, all I can see happening is alternating challengers... and it is not good.

I'm seeing worse things - USFS is a big fed, and if they're not willing to put in the effort to actually hold a "proper" Challenger, this kind of fragmented competition concept might become the norm for the North American Challengers. (Not European ones though, there's too many countries who could hold a Challenger if anyone tried to pull such a stunt)

Guess it's better than none, but not really by much, especially because we've already lost one of the disciplines.

 

[4everchan]

I'm seeing worse things - USFS is a big fed, and if they're not willing to put in the effort to actually hold a "proper" Challenger, this kind of fragmented competition concept might become the norm for the North American Challengers. (Not European ones though, there's too many countries who could hold a Challenger if anyone tried to pull such a stunt)

Guess it's better than none, but not really by much, especially because we've already lost one of the disciplines.

I don't think Skate Canada would fragment their event though... So I am not too worried from this side of the border. But yeah... .not only USFS fragmented their challenger but it's way too early... The whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[Ivana]

Just a day after the entries got out, the withdrawals begin....

Semen DANILIANTS (ARM) out, men's portion down to 13 entries and 6 countries.
Mariia SENIUK (ISR) out as well, women down to 20 entries and 9 countries.

 

[moonvine]

Huh? I thought it was in October this year?
I SWEAR I saw a schedule with Philadelphia International in July and Cranberry in October and was thinking "hooray now they aren't competing with each other." Maybe I dreamed it.
And Cranberry was supposed to have pairs?

 

[Jontor]

I expect the US to sweep the podiums in both Men and Women. Anything else would be an underachievement.

 

[el henry]

I expect the US to sweep the podiums in both Men and Women. Anything else would be an underachievement.

I don't know about the ladies, but I expect no such thing from the men and a sweep would in fact be an overachievement.

Camden has the best PB, but Roman Sadovsky's PB is next best. Jimmy Ma is third, but Mark Gorodnitsky's is not that far behind. Andrew, unfortunately for me as a mega-fan, is fifth.

None of these men are masters of consistency (Mark is actually the most consistent, IMO). I expect the usual men doing menning.

 

[Jontor]

I don't know about the ladies, but I expect no such thing from the men and a sweep would in fact be an overachievement.

Camden has the best PB, but Roman Sadovsky's PB is next best. Jimmy Ma is third, but Mark Gorodnitsky's is not that far behind. Andrew, unfortunately for me as a mega-fan, is fifth.

None of these men are masters of consistency (Mark is actually the most consistent, IMO). I expect the usual men doing menning.

Maybe you're right, but we'll see...

 

[labgoat]

2024 CS Cranberry Cup International	Aug 8-11, 2024	Norwood, MA, USA	Entries/Results
Men Short	Men Free	Women Short	Women Free
1 Roman SADOVSKY CAN 2 Luc ECONOMIDES FRA 3 Tao MACRAE GBR 4 Mark GORODNITSKY ISR 5 Hyungyeom KIM KOR 6 Lucas BROUSSARD USA 7 Tomoki HIWATASHI USA 8 Liam KAPEIKIS USA 9 Jimmy MA USA 10 Yaroslav PANIOT USA 11 Camden PULKINEN USA 12 Andrew TORGASHEV USA 13 Michael XIE USA S- Goku ENDO USA S- Daniil MURZIN USA S - Substitute Entry		1 Sophia Natalie DAYAN ARG 2 Michelle DICICCO ARG 3 Gayane STEPANYAN ARM 4 Madeline SCHIZAS CAN 5 Eliska BREZINOVA CZE 6 Barbora VRANKOVA CZE 7 Emilia MURDOCK ESP 8 Ahsun YUN KOR 9 Katherine ONG PUI KUAN MAS 10 Andrea ASTRAIN MAYNEZ MEX 11 Eugenia GARZA MEX 12 Andrea MONTESINOS CANTU MEX 13 Starr ANDREWS USA 14 Sarah EVERHARDT USA 15 Sonja HILMER USA 16 Isabeau LEVITO USA 17 Elyce LIN-GRACEY USA 18 Clare SEO USA 19 Lindsay THORNGREN USA 20 Wren WARNE-JACOBSEN USA

 

[labgoat]

Huh? I thought it was in October this year?
I SWEAR I saw a schedule with Philadelphia International in July and Cranberry in October and was thinking "hooray now they aren't competing with each other." Maybe I dreamed it.
And Cranberry was supposed to have pairs?

Pairs are Sept 3-4 at CS John Nicks in NYC