U.S. Athletes to Compete at Two International Events this Week
The United States will send skaters to JGP Romania, the fourth event of the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix (JGP) of Figure Skating Series in Brasov, Romania, while other skaters will compete at Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany.
JGP Romania begins on Thursday with men's and ladies short programs. Nebelhorn Trophy also begins on Thursday with the short dance and the men's and pairs short programs.
JGP Romania
Ladies
Competing in her second event of the season is Ashley Cain, the 2010 novice silver medalist. She began the season with a sixth-place showing at the JGP's inaugural event in Latvia earlier this month. Cain is joined by 2011 U.S. junior pewter medalist McKinzie Daniels, who makes her international debut.
Ice dancing
Reigning U.S novice bronze medalists Kaitlin Hawayek and Michael Bramante are the lone ice dancing team to represent Team USA in Romania. They make their international debuts in Brasov.
In addition Brasov, Romania, the Junior Grand Prix Series consists of the remaining events (*includes pairs):
Now in its 15th season, the JGP Series consists of seven international events in a cumulative point-scoring format. Approximately 400 athletes representing more than 35 countries are expected to participate in the series. Each athlete is eligible to score points in two of the seven scheduled events (pairs can compete in two of four designated events). The top six point-earners in each discipline qualify for the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Dec. 8-11 in Quebec City, Quebec.
Ladies
2010 Olympian Mirai Nagasu kicks off her season in Oberstdorf. She is joined by Joelle Forte, who is also assigned to 2011 Hilton HHonors Skate America, the first event of the 2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
Pairs
Tiffany Vise and Don Baldwin, who placed sixth at the 2011 U.S. Championships, join the newly formed team of Caydee Denney and John Coughlin in Germany. Denney and Coughlin, who are both U.S. champions with previous partners, joined forces in May, making Nebelhorn Trophy their first international competition together.
Ice dancing
U.S. junior pewter medalists Anastasia Olson and Jordan Cowan make their international senior debuts after having competed last fall in the Junior Grand Prix. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donahue, who joined forces last spring, compete together for the first time internationally.
