ISU GP of Figure Skating - Skate America Preview

The 2008/2009 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating opens with Skate America in Everett, Washington, from October 24 to 26. Skate America is the first of six events in the series. 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 prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples as follows:
1^st place US $ 18,000
2^nd place US $ 13,000
3^rd place US $ 9,000
4^th place US $ 3,000
5^th place US $ 2,000

The points are awarded as follows:
1^st place 15 points
2^nd place 13 points
3^rd place 11 points
4^th place 9 points
5^th place 7 points
6^th place 5 points
7^th place 4 points
8^th place 3 points  

According to the ranking order by points, the top six skaters and couples from each discipline will proceed to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Korea (10 to 14 December ). The global prize money for the Grand Prix Final is US $ 272, 000.

The skaters are seeded and invited to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating according to the results of the most recent ISU World Championships. Skaters/couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are considered to be seeded and are assigned by draw to skate in two events.

Skaters/couples who have placed 7-12 at the most recent ISU World Championships will be selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events. Next priority will be given to those skaters who achieved a seasonal best score equal to or better than those place 7-12 at the ISU World Championships 2008. If vacancies still remain, skaters/couples placed 13^th and below at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2008 will be selected in order of placement.

The reigning World Champions in Pairs and Ice Dancing headline the first Grand Prix event.

2008 World and European Champions Aljona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) lead the Pairs. Reigning European silver medalists Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov (RUS) as well as 2007 World Junior Champions Keauna McLaughlin/Rockne Brubaker (USA) want to challenge the Germans. Meagan Duhamel/Craig Buntin (CAN) and 2006 Four Continents Champions Rena Inoue/John Baldwin (USA) are also aiming for a podium finish here in Everett.

Ice Dancing World Champions Isabelle Delobel/Olivier Schoenfelder (FRA) will face competition from 2006 Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto (USA). Sinead Kerr/John Kerr (GBR), Pernelle Carron/Matthieu Jost (FRA) and 2008 World Junior Champions Emily Samuelson/ Evan Bates (USA) are other medal contenders in the Ice Dancing event.

The Ladies event features two-time World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim (KOR), 2007 World Champion Miki Ando (JPN), 2006 World Champion Kimmie Meissner (USA) and 2008 World Junior Champion Rachel Flatt (USA). Entering the mix is two-time World Junior medalist Mirai Nagasu (USA) who, like Flatt, debutes at the international senior level. Other contenders are ISU Grand Prix Finalist Yukari Nakano (JPN) and 2005 European silver medalist Susanna Pöykiö (FIN).

Reigning World bronze medalist Johnny Weir (USA) headlines the Men's field at Skate America. Competition should come from two-time World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek (USA), but 2008 World Junior Champion Adam Rippon (USA) and 2006 World Junior Champion Takahiko Kozuka are also challenging for a medal. Others to watch include Alexander Uspenski (RUS), Adrian Schultheiss (SWE) and Shawn Sawyer (CAN).

The full list of entries is available at http://www.isu.org/

The schedule of Skate America is as follows:
Friday, October 24: Compulsory Dance, Men and Pairs Short Program
Saturday, October 25: Original Dance, Ladies Short Program, Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, October 26: Ladies Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition Gala