While waiting for Hanyu and Chen in Grand Prix opener, a look at stumbles, struggles and success

/
While waiting for Hanyu and Chen in Grand Prix opener, a look at stumbles, struggles and success

After a hectic first month of the Olympic figure skating season, there finally is a weekend to catch our collective breath, with just two low-level international events before the senior Grand Prix series begins with a bang:  Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and Nathan Chen of the United States at the Rostelecom Cup Oct. 20-22 in Moscow.

Chen established himself among the world's top skaters when he topped Hanyu in the free skate at last season's Grand Prix Final (Hanyu won the event for a record fourth straight time) and then beat Hanyu  for the Four Continents Championship title on the 2018 Olympic rink in South Korea.  Hanyu had the last (and definitive) word at the World Championships, rebounding from a subpar short program with a brilliant free skate to win worlds for the second time, while Chen stumbled to sixth overall.

The six Challenger Series events so far this season (and last weekend’s free-skate-only Japan Open) have produced some noteworthy performances, good and bad.

Ten random observations:

Read More

Play it again. And again. Reruns, early brilliance and more in this Olympic figure skate season

/
Play it again. And again. Reruns, early brilliance and more in this Olympic figure skate season

It isn’t even October, and this Olympic figure skating season already has featured some stunning performances – all in Class C level competitions of the International Skating Union's Challenger Series.

(Class A is Olympics and worlds; Class B is Grand Prix - with the Grand Prix Final a B+.)

Does that still mean the best is yet to come or that a few top skaters – especially in singles - will have peaked too early, with the Olympics not until February in South Korea?

Only time will tell, of course, but the changed framework of international competition, with Challenger Series events now drawing media attention and audiences for live streams, means some skaters are trying to be great in many events from September through early April.

Read More

Honda, Chen impress with contrasting styles on ice

/
Honda, Chen impress with contrasting styles on ice

SALT LAKE CITY - There was Marin Honda, the highly-touted debutante on the senior international circuit, flowing almost languidly across the ice with an incredible lightness of being that matched the mood of her music, the beloved old standard, "Smile."

There was Karen Chen, the reigning U.S. champion, driving across the ice with an intensity that captured the fiery tone of her music, "El Tango de Roxanne."

There were the little things: Honda smiling every time the word came up in the lyrics, Chen brushing a hand over her left cheek when the lyrics called for a caress of the skin.

These were two captivating skaters. The difference between them in Friday's short program at the 2017 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic turned out to be mistakes Chen made on jumping passes -- an under-rotated triple toe loop at the end of her jump combination and a hand down on the landing of a triple loop.

Read More

Healthier than ever, pairs skater Alexa Scimeca Knierim still rebuilding her body

/
Healthier than ever, pairs skater Alexa Scimeca Knierim still rebuilding her body

SALT LAKE CITY - Alexa Scimeca Knierim, who battled serious illness for much of 2016, said Thursday that she is "probably the healthiest I've been ever."

But, she and husband/pairs partner, Chris Knierim, are both far from the skating shape they want to have later this season.

"We're not trying to be at a peak here," Alexa said after a mistake-riddled performance left them third in Thursday's short program at the 2017 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. "It's hard to maintain all the way to February for, hopefully, the Olympics. Pacing is a huge factor. We don't feel totally prepared for this competition, and that's OK."

The Knierims, top U.S. finishers at the last three World Championships, lost points when he doubled their side-by-side triple salchows and because they received low levels on their pair combination spin and step sequence. Their skating throughout the program was tentative.

Read More