This Week in Skating / February 27, 2023

This Week in Skating is hosted by Gina Capellazzi and Daphne Backman and is a cooperative project between Figure Skaters Online and Ice-dance.com. New episodes are available every Monday.

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Episode 57 Show Notes

Events Results Brief

• Challenge Cup
• Bellu Memorial 
• Tallink Hotels Cup
• Synchro: Spring Cup
• Novice Canadian Championships & Skate Canada Cup

Segment - General Skating News

• WADA appeals case of Russian Olympic Committee figure skater to Court of Arbitration for Sport
• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS registers the appeals filed by the RUSADA, ISU and WADA against the decision by the RUSADA disciplinary anti-doping commission

• U.S. Figure Skating released a statement Friday that Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker have chosen not to compete at the World Championships as they continue to prioritize their healing and mental health.
• Kaitlin’s statement:https://t.co/Qq0nGyLR47 
• Jean-Luc’s statement: ​​https://www.instagram.com/p/CpFxBxWu6xA/

• U.S. Figure Skating sent out a press release saying Robert Yampolsky has withdrawn from the World Junior Championships due to medical reasons.

Segment - Recent Interviews

• Jeremy Abbott finds his niche, by Susan D. Russell, International Figure Skating Magazine 

• Team USA Reminisces About Their Favorite Memories from the Beijing Games One Year Later, by Kristen Henneman, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Putting the Great Back in the Great Falls FSC, by Harry Thompson, U.S. Figure Skating

• Aljona Savchenko: Finding a new path five years after Olympic glory, by Hiro Yoshida

• Gasparotto and Chapple named Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Recipients, by Lois Elfman, New York Amsterdam News 

• A Look Back at Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan in Nagano, by Lynn Rutherford, Team USA 

• Bruno Marcotte: The Door is Wide Open, by Anna Keller, Golden Skate

• Debi Thomas makes comeback in Lake Placid, by Parker O’Brien, Adirondack Daily Enterprise

• Naomi Williams and Lachlan Lewer Thrust onto World Junior Stage Six Months into Partnership, by Paige Feigenbaum, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Martynov Aims to Skate Clean, Show What He Can Do in Junior World Debut, by Christie Sausa, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Josephine Lee Up for the Challenge at World Juniors, by Grace Knoop, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Starlights Continue Upward Climb, Inspiring Future Generations Along the Way, by Grace Knoop, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• The Fond du Lac Blades Are Back, Alright, by Paige Feigenbaum, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Skyliners Senior Writes Their Own Story, by Marissa Pederson, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

• Crystallettes Test ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ Theme in First Senior Elite 12 Season, by Rachel Lutz, U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Segment - Social Media Updates

• Piper Gilles announced through a Happy Valentine’s Day posted that she married her longtime boyfriend, Nathan Kelly

• Nicole Della Monica got engaged to her boyfriend, Abraham Conyedo, who is an Olympic wrestler. 

• Stars on Ice posted that this will be Kurt Browning’s final tour.

• Skate Japan News posted that Kaori Sakamoto & Mai Mihara received the Hyogo Sports Excellence Award

• Anastasiia Smirnova and Danil Siitanysia posted two videos of them back on the ice, training together.

• Canada’s Haley Sales posted on Instagram that her partner, Nikolas Wamsteeker has decided to retire from competitive skating to join the Canadian Air Force.

• Junior ice dancers Emma L'Esperance / Mika Amdour have announced their retirement from competitive ice dance.

• Acacia Hill, sister of Asher Hill, was on the Canada talk show “Cityline” to talk about Brampton Hill Skating Academy, which is the first black-owned skating school in North America.

• Nathan Chen’s children's book came out this week! He’s also been nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.

• Jason Brown has a bobble head! It is available from pre-sale on the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum website. Info on Jason’s website.
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• IFS Magazine posted a letter from Claudyne Hutchinson stating that she is retiring from Silver Blade Tours as of February 13.

Segment - Upcoming Events for the Week

• ISU World Junior Championships, Feb. 27-March 5
• 2023 U.S. Synchronized Championships, March 1-4 
• Junior, senior, senior elite 12, and collegiate competition will be available on Peacock Premium
• All other levels will be available free of charge on the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
• Synchro: Steel City Trophy, March 3-6

IDC and FSO spotlight

IDC:Photos: Challenge Cup

IDC: Janse Van Resnburg & Steffan embrace new opportunities 

FSO: Lucrezia Beccari and Matteo Guarise on joining forces to become a new pairs team

FSO: A family affair

FSO: Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud: A perfect match