COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 20, 2007) – The 2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series continues with the Cup of Russia in Moscow, Russia, Nov. 23-25. The Cup of Russia, taking place at the Khondynka Ice Palace, begins Friday with the compulsory dance and the ladies, men’s and pairs short programs.
Four U.S. skaters will compete in three disciplines: ladies, men’s and ice dancing. The U.S. team hails from four different states: California, Illinois, North Dakota 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.
The U.S. ladies dominated at the Trophée Eric Bompard in Paris, France, last weekend with Kimmie Meissner and teammate Ashley Wagner bringing home silver and bronze, respectively. It was a history-making weekend in Paris for Americans Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent, who became the first team to complete a clean throw quadruple Salchow in international competition. The team finished fourth at the event. Ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White rounded out the medal count for the U.S. by winning bronze.
LADIES
Bebe Liang, who finished fourth at the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships, will be in Russia looking to improve on her sixth-place finish two weeks ago at Cup of China. Liang finished fourth at the 2006 NHK Trophy and fifth at the 2006 Cup of China.
ICE DANCING
Liang and Weir will be joined by Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt. This will be the first Grand Prix appearance for the duo, which finished eighth at this year’s Nebelhorn Trophy and 11th at the 2007 World Junior Championships.
U.S. ENTRIES
| DISCIPLINE | NAME | HOMETOWN | TRAINING TOWN |
| Ladies | Bebe Liang | Granada Hills, Calif. | El Segundo, Calif. |
| Men | Johnny Weir | Quarryville, Pa. | Wayne, N.J. & Anaheim, Calif. |
| Ice Dancing | Lynn Kriengkrairut Logan Giulietti-Schmitt | Bismarck, N.D. Oak Park, Ill. | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
In addition to the Cup of Russia, the Grand Prix consists of the remaining events:
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 NHK Trophy, Sendai, Japan
Dec. 13-16 Grand Prix Final, Torino, Italy
