ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America
The 2007/2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating opens with
Skate America in Reading, Pennsylvania, from October 26 to
28. Traditionally, Skate America is the first of six events
in the series. The skaters compete for a a global prize money
of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix
of Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements.
The prize money is awarded to winners and placed
skaters/couples as follows:
1st place US $ 18,000
2nd place US $ 13,000
3rd place US $ 9,000
4th place US $ 3,000
5th place US $ 2,000
The points are awarded as follows:
1st place 15 points
2nd place 13 points
3rd place 11 points
4th place 9 points
5th place 7 points
6th place 5 points
7th place 4 points
8th place 3 point
According to the ranking order by points, the top six skaters
and couples from each discipline will proceed to the ISU Grand
Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino, Italy (December 13
to 16). The global prize money for the Grand Prix Final is
US $ 272, 000.
The skaters are seeded and invited to the Grand Prix of Figure
Skating according to the results of the most recent ISU World
Championships. Skaters/couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each
of the four categories are considered to be seeded and are
assigned by draw to skate in two events. Pairs may be entitled
to participate in third event, if a spot is available and
all pairs in question have been assigned to two events. This
third event will not count for points. Prize money will, however,
be awarded according to placements.
Skaters/couples who have placed 7-12 at the most recent ISU
World Championships will be selected for two ISU Grand Prix
of Figure Skating events. Next priority will be given to those
skaters who achieved a seasonal best score equal to or better
than those place 7-12 at the ISU World Championships 2007.
If vacancies still remain, skaters/couples placed 13th and
below at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2007 will
be selected in order of placement.
In the Ladies’ event, reigning World Champion Miki
Ando (JPN) will face competition from 2006 World Champion
Kimmie Meissner (USA) and 2007 Four Continents silver medalist
Emily Hughes (USA). World Junior Champion Caroline Zhang (USA)
debuts on the senior scene. Other competitors are Elene Gedevanishvili
(GEO), Mai Asada (JPN), Mira Leung (CAN) and Valentina Marchei
(ITA).
Reigning World silver medallist Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) headlines
the Men’s field at Skate America. He will be challenged
by two-time World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek (USA), 2007
Skate America bronze medallist Alban Preaubert (FRA) and 2007
World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere (USA). Others to watch
are 2006 World Junior Champion Takahito Kozuka (JPN), 2007
World Junior silver medalist Patrick Chan (CAN) and Andrei
Lutai (RUS).
2007 World silver medalists Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN) lead
the Pairs. Competition should come from Jessica Dube/Bryce
Davison (CAN) and Amanda Evora/Mark Ladwig (USA). 2007 World
junior silver medalists Vera Bazarova/Juri Larionov (RUS)
enter their first senior event.
Reigning World bronze medalists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto
(USA) are the top contenders in the Ice Dancing event. Aiming
for a podium finish are as well Meryl Davis/Charlie White
(USA), 2006 Skate America bronze medalists Nathalie Pechalat/
Fabian Bourzat (FRA) and Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA).
Also competing are Kristin Fraser/Igor Lukanin (AZE), Alexandra
Zaretski/Roman Zaretski (ISR) and Kimberly Navarro/Brent Bommentre
(USA).
The schedule of Skate America is as follows:
Friday, October 26: Compulsory Dance, Men and Pairs Short
Program
Saturday, October 27: Original Dance, Ladies Short Program,
Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, October 28: Ladies Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition
Gala
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