COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 28, 2007) –
Seven U.S. skaters will compete in four disciplines: ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing. The U.S. team hails from six different states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The Grand Prix Series, now in its 13th season, consists of six international events in a cumulative point-scoring format. Approximately 300 athletes from 29 countries are expected to participate in the series. Each athlete is eligible to score points in two of the six scheduled events. The top six point-earners in each of the disciplines then qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Torino, Italy, Dec. 13-16. Athletes will be vying for a total of more than $1.35 million in prize money throughout the series.
Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir was the only American to bring home a medal from last weekend’s Cup of Russia. Sitting second after the short program, Weir edged Switzerland’s Stephane Lambiel to win the free skate and the gold medal. Bebe Liang finished in eighth place and ice dance team Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt finished 10th.
LADIES
After placing ninth at the Cup of China, Alissa Czisny returns to Asia for her second Grand Prix assignment. Czisny took home bronze from the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships and placed 15th at the 2007 World Championships.
MEN
Jeremy Abbott is back for his second Grand Prix appearance this season, after finishing eighth at Skate Canada. Stephen Carriere is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish at Skate America. The reigning World Junior champion, Carriere took home gold from the 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final.
PAIRS
The pairs team of Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker hopes to continue its medal-winning ways in Japan. With the exception of their silver medal at this year’s Cup of China, the pair has brought home a gold medal from every competition they’ve entered since their debut at last year’s JGP Hungary.
ICE DANCING
Hoping to improve on their sixth-place performance at Skate America are Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre. The team finished fourth at the 2007 U.S. Championships.
U.S. ENTRIES
DISCIPLINE | NAME | HOMETOWN | TRAINING TOWN |
Ladies | Alissa Czisny | Bowling Green, Ohio | Bloomfield Hills, Mich. |
Men | Jeremy Abbott | Aspen, Colo. | Colorado Springs, Colo. |
Stephen Carriere | Wakefield, Mass. | Boston, Mass. | |
Pairs | Keauna McLaughlin Rockne Brubaker | Los Angeles, Calif. Algonquin, Ill. | Colorado Springs, Colo. |
Dance
| Kimberly Navarro Brent Bommentre | Santa Rosa, Calif. Horsham, Pa. | Ardmore, Pa. & Newark, Del. |