The 2009/2010 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues with Cancer.Net Skate America in Lake Placid November 13 to 15. The skaters compete for 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 top six skaters/couples of the series will proceed to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo, Japan.
This week, a couple of skaters are hoping to assure their spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in December, while a few others are entering their first Grand Prix event of the season. Two current World Champions and one former World Champion couple headline the event in Lake Placid.
Reigning World Champion Yu-Na Kim (KOR) leads the Ladies field at Cancer.Net Skate America. Kim won the first event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, the Trophée Bompard in Paris, in October and now wants to defend her Skate America title and qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. 2008 World Junior Champion Rachael Flatt (USA) is aiming at a podium finish in front of a home crowd. European bronze medalist Susanna Pöykiö (FIN) competes in her first event after withdrawing from her earlier assignment. Julia Sebestyen (HUN) wants to improve on her 6th place from the Rostelecom Cup. Other competitors include Emily Hughes (USA), who didn’t compete in the Grand Prix last year, Elena Glebova (EST), Sarah Hecken (GER), three-time World medalist Fumie Suguri (JPN) and Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO).
2009 World Champion Evan Lysacek (USA) headlines the Men’s event at Cancer.Net Skate America. The challenge should come from 2008 European Champion Tomas Verner (CZE). Lysacek and Verner both had won the silver medal at their respective first Grand Prix event of the year and now want to book their ticket to the Final. Other contenders include ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion Florent Amodio (FRA), U.S. silver medalist Brandon Mroz, Adrian Schultheiss (SWE), Andrei Lutai (RUS) and Ryan Bradley (USA).
Three-time World Pairs Champions Xue Shen/Hongbo Zhao (CHN) continue their comeback at Cancer.Net Skate America. After taking the gold at the Samsung Anycall Cup of China two weeks ago they now want to qualify for the Grand Prix Final. Competition should come from their teammates and current World silver medalists Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang, Cup of China bronze medalists Tatiana Volosozhar/Stanislav Morozov (UKR) and U.S. Champions Keauna McLaughlin/Rockne Brubaker.
Reigning World silver medalists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto (USA) are aiming for their second gold medal this season after winning the Cup of China. They will meet again European Champions and Cup of China silver medalists Jana Khokhlova/Sergei Novitski (RUS). Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte (ITA) took the silver medal at the Rostelecom Cup and hope for another podium finish here in Lake Placid. Other competitors include Alexandra Zaretski/Roman Zaretski (ISR), Kimberly Navarro/Brent Bommentre (USA), 2009 World Junior Champions Madison Chock/Greg Zuerlein (USA), and Kristina Gorshkova/Vitali Butikov (RUS).
The full list of entries is available at www.isu.org
The schedule of Cancer.Net Skate America is as follows:
Friday, November 13: Compulsory Dance, Pairs and Men Short Program
Saturday, November 14: Original Dance, Ladies Short Program, Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, November 15: Ladies Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
