Archive

Jan 9 - Adam Rippon, the reigning U.S. champion, has withdrawn from the 2017 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships due to injury. Rippon broke his left foot and sprained the same ankle during an off‐ice warm up on Friday, Jan. 6.   "I am heartbroken that I won't be able to defend my title at the 2017 U.S. Championships,” Rippon said.

 “Despite breaking my foot in a fluke accident off the ice, I am determined to grow from this and come back ever stronger.

 “I will use this as an opportunity to improve so that I can be fully prepared for next season and be at my very best to compete for a spot at the 2018 Olympic Games."

Rippon is expected to be off the ice for eight to 12 weeks and will resume training with his medical team’s guidance.

Jan 9 - Polina Edmunds, the reigning U.S. silver medalist, has withdrawn from the 2017 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships as she continues to recover from a right foot bone bruise.   “I’m disappointed that I will miss the 2017 U.S. Championships and wish all the athletes good luck in Kansas City,” Edmunds said. “I will continue to focus on my health and look forward to a full return to ice.”

12 Jan. - Ross Minor and Ashley Wagner withdraw from their Four Continents assignments.  Star Andrews withdraws from her World Junior assignment.

16 Jan. - Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir are named the flag bearers for the Canadian Olympic Team at the PyeongChang opening ceremonies.

Jan 21 - Tarah Kayne & Daniel O’Shea, the reigning U.S. pairs champions, and Alexandria Shaughnessy and James Morgan have withdrawn from the 2017 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships due injury/illness.

Kayne sustained a concussion in a fall from a throw element in the pairs short program Thursday afternoon and is under the care of event medical provided by the University of Kansas Hospital. After examination and follow up, it was the advice of the chief medical officer that Kayne should not compete for her own health and safety due to symptoms of concussion.

Shaughnessy is being treated for a stomach virus, the symptoms of which increased overnight.

9 Feb. - The Court of Arbitration for Sports ruled today that 45 Russian athletes banned by the IOC from participating in the current Winter Games would not be allowed to compete and confirmed the IOC's right to decide who can compete.

"That's it — the story is over," said Russian delegation spokesman Konstantin Vybornov, as quoted by the AP.

CAS held two days of hearings and ruled that the IOC did not act in a "discriminatory, arbitrary or unfair manner."

CAS described the IOC process as a permissible eligibility decision rather than a sanction against the skaters. 

14 Feb. - First Day on the Ice: Tips from a Professional Skating Coach (and Mom) by Jocelyn Jane Cox is intended for parents who are thinking about taking their children skating for the first time or for parents who have already gotten their kids out on the ice, but need a bit more information.

Currently a number one Amazon Best Seller, this book was released just in time to catch the wave of interest stirred up by the Winter Olympics. Additionally, it’s helpful for coaches who are just getting started in the business or coaches who want a refresher.

Cox is a freelance writer, humorist, figure skating coach and mother of a five-year-old son. She formerly competed in ice dance and pair skating with her brother, Brad Cox, and they made the national team four times together at the junior level. She has now been coaching skating for over 25 years. In that time, she estimates that she has probably taught hundreds of skaters through both group and private lessons. She focuses mostly on ice dance and moves in the field.

This clear, often humorous guide helps the parents of beginners figure out what to wear, what to talk about beforehand, how to lace the skates, and even give parents insider techniques to try with their children both on and off the ice. The goal is for the first day in skates to be a positive one and to lead to more fun in the future.

Cox got the idea to write the book when her friends were asking her questions about taking their toddlers and pre-schoolers to the rink for the first time.

"Even though I have been coaching for a long time, I only started seeing it from the other side, in other words, the parent’s perspective recently, when I started taking my son (now five) out on the ice.”

Cox realized that there’s a lot you can do to prepare your child for a fun day of skating before they even step on the ice.

"What I’ve written in this short book may seem really obvious to skating insiders, but isn’t obvious to people who have no experience with skating, and that’s who I’m hoping to help.” For example, she says that even small details like the right length of socks can make a big difference on that first day.

3 Mar. - Adam Rippon and Maia & Alex Shibutani have withdrawn from the upcoming World Championships.  They will be replaced by Max Aaron and Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker.  Men's alternates Jason Brown and Ross Minor declined invitations to the event.

9 Oct. - Six-time Canadian National Champion and 2010 Olympic bronze medalist will serve as the official athlete ambassador during the 2018 Skate Canada International which will take place in Laval, Que, Canada. "I am extremely excited to be named Athlete Ambassador of Skate Canada International," she says.  "Although I have moved on to a new chapter of my life, I hold cherished memories of my figure skating career and am honored to represent Skate Canada, an all athletes participating at this prestigious event.

Rochette competed at Skate Canada International six times during her career, medalling five times and winning gold three times.

12 Oct. - Larkyn Austman and Gabrielle Daleman withdraw from Skate Canada International.  Austman has withdrawn due to injury.  She is recovering from a left foot sprain that she sustained in September.  Austman is the 2018 Canadian National Bronze medalist and was a member of the 2018 Canadian Olympic team.

Daleman has taken a break raining to focus on her mental health.  She was a member of the Canadian Gold Medal Team at the 2018 Olympics and is the reigning Canadian Champion.

Veronik Mallet and Alicia Pineault have been added to the Ladies event at Skate Canada International, in Laval Canada.

15 Oct. - Karen Chen has withdrawn from the ISU Grand Pirx in Helsinki.  Chen is recovering from a foot injury.  She is still currently schedule to compete at the ISU Grand Prix in Russia, Rostelcom Cup.

25 Oct. - Skate Canada announced today that Kelowna, British Columbia will host the 2019 Skate Canada International. The event will take place at Prospera Place, a 6,886-seat multi-purpose arena, from October 25-27, 2019.

Kelowna will host the 46^th installment of Skate Canada International. This is their second time hosting the event, they previously hosted in 2014.

25 Oct. - Veronik Mallet (CAN) has withdrawn from Skate Canada International 2018 on Thursday before the draw for medical reasons. According to the medical bulletin, Mallet aggravated a previous foot injury.

7 Nov. - Todd Sand was at the boards putting on Alexa and Chris Kneirim during practice at NHK.  Sand said he has been working with the team in California for the past few weeks.  Whether this will lead to a long term relation, he said, is yet to be decided.

Mariah Bell skated her program at the afternoon practice at NHK, but later, midway through the practice, left the ice and did not finish the session.

7 Nov - Changes to NHK Trophy entries.  Dance: Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) out due to his having a back injury.  Ladies:  Gabrielle Daleman (CAN) out due to mental health issues, replaced by Kailani Crane (AUS); Elena Radionova (RUS) out, replaced by Alena Leonova (RUS).  Pairs: Annika Hocke & Ruben Blommaert (GER) out with Hocke having an unspecified viral infection, replaced by Laura Barquero & Aritz Maestu (ESP).

27 Nov. - The U.S. National Championships will return to Greensboro, NC in 2020. Greensboro was previously the site of the Championships in 2011 and 2015.  In a departure from the past, the 2020 Championships will only include Senior and Junior events.