# This Week in Skating / 2025 Skate America Recap

An episode of [This Week in Skating Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1621874792), 18 Nov 2025, 1 h 09 min.

Audio: https://audio2.redcircle.com/episodes/f3063c57-cb59-424e-87ce-f6e545264f62/stream.mp3

In this episode, Daphne and Gina recap the 2025 Skate America, the fifth of the sixth Grand Prix events that took place in Lake Placid, New York, Nov. 14-16. Daphne was in Lake Placid for the event. Results: https://results.isu.org/results/season2526/gpusa2025/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

## Transcript

[0:00] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Hi everyone, I'm Vincent Joe.
[0:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Hi, I'm Kathy Reed.
[0:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I'm Allison Reed.
[0:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Hi, I'm Ashley.
[0:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Hi, I'm Grace.
[0:07] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We're from the Haternets.
[0:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I am Martin Rezzi.
[0:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Hello everyone.
[0:11] \[SPEAKER_01\]: How are you?
[0:12] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Thank you.
[0:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Thank you.
[0:15] \[SPEAKER_00\]: We're from the Haternets.
[0:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Welcome to this week in Skating, the weekly podcast bringing you the latest news from the world of figure skating.
[0:31] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Here are your hosts, Daphne, Gina, and Matteo.
[0:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And we're back, and I'm back from Lake Placid.
[0:40] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I drove home last night as planned, but I did leave a little bit earlier than I planned just because it was snowing.
[0:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: In Maine, we haven't seen any snow, although Chris did say that it snowed while I was gone, but it didn't amount to anything.
[0:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There was actual physical snow and slippery roads while I was in Lake Placid.
[1:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I didn't get out and about that much just because we were staying at the best Western at the Adderon deck in and so we just walked back and forth and that was super convenient.
[1:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[1:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I kept our listeners hanging about whether I was going to be in like placid or not, but I did make a decision.
[1:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It was probably already made by the time I recorded the podcast less week that I needed to stay back.
[1:35] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We did get snow here where I live, not that it was anything that amounted to anything.
[1:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, it's gone.
[1:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: There's
[1:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I was very concerned about driving through the mountains with the snow, so I decided it was best that I stay behind.
[1:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I had to come back Sunday and miss the coverage on Sunday if I did go.
[2:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So, yep, I'm estate home, watched everything from home, you know, I'm glad you got to go Daphne, I'm glad you made it home safely, I know you left early yesterday because of the snow and I was looking at the webcam, there was a webcam right outside the Olympic center and it was coming down yesterday, so I'm glad you made it home safely and I hope everybody else who is still
[2:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: On their way home from Lake Placid make at home safely too.
[2:33] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I know we've got some friends still traveling home.
[2:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So yeah, it was colder there than what we've been having in New England probably about 20 degrees colder, which I was not prepared for.
[2:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I knew it would be cold, but I don't know.
[2:51] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I just I didn't think it would be that cold yesterday when I was
[2:59] \[SPEAKER_02\]: it was just brutal trying my hands were freezing I didn't have gloves like I was not prepared for winter and I feel like this was the hello winter event.
[3:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was walking by the windows after shooting the free dance and I just thought man I should probably get on the road I
[3:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And once I got out of Lake Placid, it was probably about an hour into my drive, I didn't have any snow at all, like the roads were clear, it was fine.
[3:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But getting out of the mountains was the part that was a little bit scary, but I had rented a car because my car really isn't fit to make these long drives anymore.
[3:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I got an upgrade because they didn't have anything else available.
[3:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So they gave me a free upgrade.
[3:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I had a Ford Expedition, which I've never driven a car that big in my life.
[4:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Okay, it was wild, but I also felt pretty secure because it handled really well.
[4:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And it made the drive a little bit easier.
[4:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It had all the high-tech stuff.
[4:17] \[SPEAKER_02\]: which my card doesn't have.
[4:20] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So back up cam and it seamlessly with the Bluetooth.
[4:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So it was great.
[4:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So the drive back was good.
[4:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wasn't too tired.
[4:28] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was really still energized from being there.
[4:33] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was a snowy-like class, and one thing I noticed, I noticed who was there, like you see people and it was great to see friends, but also the people that weren't there were definitely missed, not just in the media world, but fans that I'm used to seeing in the stands were not there either.
[4:56] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So it felt to not as exciting for me, I guess, to be missing some, you know, missing people I have come to see at an international.
[5:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I did have a fantastic time for the most part the skating was really wonderful and it was just great to be back at the Olympic center and seeing
[5:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: things from that view that we're so used to because I was shooting from section 20 and that is where I usually shoot when we're there for the Ice Dance Championships and the International.
[5:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So it was really comfortable.
[5:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And it was also nice for me to see people who hadn't been there in a while to catch up with them and ask them, what do you think of all the renovations because I know the last time that they'd been there, the place looked very, very different than what it does now.
[5:59] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It really was upgraded prior to the winter university games and they continue to make it special.
[6:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think that even with the upgrades, it still maintains that special Olympic feeling.
[6:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm glad that it does because it's just such a special place.
[6:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, we're so fortunate that we get to go on a yearly basis.
[6:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[6:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So this year, unfortunately, I didn't make it at all.
[6:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I already told Daphne send me the dates for I stance the summer because I'm going.
[6:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I am not going another year without going to like,
[6:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Some, this was their first time up there.
[6:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They are experiencing it for the first time and I think they realize what we love about Lake Plessed, you know, gets a bad rap because it's hard to get to and I understand it is hard to get to.
[6:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, the only way for me to even get there was by car and
[7:04] \[SPEAKER_01\]: you know, unfortunately, I was concerned about the weather and had to stay back because of that.
[7:09] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It would have been a whole lot easier if I could have taken a train.
[7:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It just is such a magical place and I, you know, I am hopeful that people who were there who may not get to go as much as we do, hopefully they got to experience that this weekend.
[7:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I do understand people.
[7:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: who feel it's hard to get to.
[7:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There are times when we have events on the west coast that I feel are hard to get to.
[7:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's, you know, planes, trains, and automobiles to get over there.
[7:43] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And so I think we can both find common ground on that.
[7:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yes.
[7:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: absolutely.
[7:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So because I stayed home, I had to watch coverage on TV.
[7:57] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And for someone who, you know, I travel to every nationals and I've been we've been spoiled that we've had two North American worlds that we've traveled to.
[8:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I'm not really getting, you know, I don't
[8:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: you know NBC's coverage especially and so peacock was NBC's coverage.
[8:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And this posed problems because especially for men and women, and this happened to dance to actually the event started before NBC's coverage, so peacock had coverage, but it was actually the NBC coverage.
[8:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So, you would notice when it was time for MBC or E's coverage, it would switch, and
[9:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's switch sometimes in the middle of a skater.
[9:04] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So don't ask me how the Miracchex did in the free dance, because that was the program that got cut off right in the middle.
[9:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You see the opening for NBC and that was the coverage.
[9:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Sometimes we didn't see scores.
[9:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I was disappointed with that.
[9:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It was very frustrating.
[9:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I get that.
[9:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: they wanted to just keep it all, you know, NBC's coverage, but the fact that they were switching, I just didn't like it.
[9:37] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Also, the audio was a struggle.
[9:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You could not hear Johnny Terra,
[9:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: really annoying because it came off like we didn't have commentary, which is great.
[9:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I would prefer not having commentary, but then you could just hear these tiny voices in the background and it was like, okay, what is going on?
[10:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Like, what are they saying?
[10:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And so it was very
[10:11] \[SPEAKER_01\]: frustrating on that end to it's an easy fix I mean you just got to bring the audio levels down and you know bring the music level down and bring up them a little bit so again I heard that from not that wasn't just a complaint for me I heard that across the board from a lot of people
[10:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Terran Johnny.
[10:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We're wearing wicked colors on Sunday.
[10:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I thought that was great.
[10:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That green that Johnny had on was quite green and that someone who likes green.
[10:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I love the color and it was quite an extravagant outfit he had on, but I liked it.
[10:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They were kind of
[11:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: you know, bringing up wicked, especially since it is wicked weak here.
[11:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, the second part comes out the end of the week.
[11:09] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I will say I love being in arena because some of the things that we're said during the broadcast, I really
[11:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: did not agree with and I thought sometimes the commentary was a little harsh on things I will mention one point a little bit later yeah that is one positive thing about being in an event in person is you're not listening to commentary you have the own I mean you get to see it live and then you can have the commentary your own commentary and the head or the commentary of others who are around you that can also be entertaining
[11:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: because they see things or they think things that you don't think or whatever.
[11:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, I don't mind when it's like insightful or it's informative.
[11:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Like if there's something I really didn't understand or didn't know, that's great.
[12:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But when it kind of is just
[12:07] \[SPEAKER_01\]: like they're goofing around.
[12:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's when I'm like, okay, stop, stop.
[12:12] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I wanna just see this program without having this weird story that you're talking about or you're bringing it back to yourselves.
[12:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's when I just don't like it.
[12:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I, you know, finding out that I believe it was Anastasia Meltaquina had tape on her arms
[12:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: for her opening pose in the short program to help her have a grip.
[12:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Those are the things I don't mind hearing, because I didn't know that.
[12:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: You know, some stuff that Gabby was saying, I thought was very interesting because I'm not a
[12:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: pro when it comes to ice dance.
[12:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So that's the stuff I like.
[12:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Well, there were some other things that happened during the time that I was there.
[13:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wanted to mention that there was an initiative to showcase trans flags in the arena in support of trans athletes due to
[13:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: U.S. figure skating coming down with a decision based on an executive order.
[13:21] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There was a lot of support in the audience.
[13:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There were a lot of trans flags there as a show of support.
[13:29] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I appreciated seeing that because I know this is a difficult time for trans athletes.
[13:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The rig set up was interesting.
[13:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The USA rank, they had put these buffer pads over the ice in order to put tables and everything the press comments area.
[13:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: That was really convenient.
[13:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was interesting going upstairs and then down over the bleacher or the stairs there to get to a photo spot, not something that we're used to.
[14:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was very cold in the USA drink colder than I remember.
[14:11] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We did have a scoring issue in the men's free skate.
[14:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The system went down so that caused a little bit of a delay.
[14:17] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So that happened.
[14:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Now did you lose internet during that time?
[14:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: No.
[14:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I don't remember.
[14:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was in upstairs for the beginning of the men's
[14:28] \[SPEAKER_02\]: free skate.
[14:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, because Jackie, I think, said something where they like probably rebooted the whole like internet in the arena because he lost internet at that point.
[14:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But yeah, I loved his little graphics or his meme sort of of, you know, getting out the paper and the pen for judging.
[14:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen that happen at a big international event like this.
[14:56] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I mean, Jackie, when he set up, it's like he's on statric, and he's on the bridge, and he's got all of his stuff set up, and I saw him just for a few minutes.
[15:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We were able to catch up, and I saw him different times, not to have a long conversation, because when you're there, you're just rushing in some ways, and even though I was covering the event for IDC, I also was paying attention to things to be able to come back and talk
[15:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was busy with that as well.
[15:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I have to say that Caitlyn Huayak slayed as the DJ.
[15:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Where was she set up, Daphne?
[15:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: She was set up.
[15:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wanna say it was on one end, the end where the kid's in cry was.
[15:45] \[SPEAKER_02\]: She was just to the right of that up above.
[15:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Okay.
[15:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So she was on like the concourse.
[15:52] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Okay.
[15:52] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm honest, I added some songs to my playlist based on what she was playing in the arena.
[16:00] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And that's usually a good sign, because I liked what she was, yeah, what she was spinning.
[16:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And Jolick Baker was also there.
[16:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He and Jackie Wong did practice commentaries during the KM.
[16:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think that was really great.
[16:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They did have the inner arena hosting,
[16:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: in Boston.
[16:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was Ben Augusto and Ashley Wagner that did that.
[16:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There are different views on that because being there in person and seeing and hearing the skaters barely, I mean, they're out of breath from performing and then get asked questions.
[16:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think sometimes they didn't understand the question that they were being asked because they were still trying
[16:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And the question was in English and for some skaters, English isn't their first language and so it can be confusing and they went okay.
[17:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But there's a difference of opinion depending on who you talk to at least as fans in the arena as to what they think of this, whether or not they like it or not, because I think we can feel for both the interviewer and the athlete that it could get a little bit awkward.
[17:22] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I wondered where this idea came from if they do this in other sports because I really don't watch
[17:29] \[SPEAKER_02\]: A lot of sports, I used to watch baseball, but I don't anymore, so I'm not really watching a lot of sports.
[17:34] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I'm not sure.
[17:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, sometimes in other sports, they'll mic up, and athlete, you know, for baseball, they'll like mic up an outfielder while they're out in the field, or they'll talk to a coach in between innings, or, you know, during a timeout, or a
[17:56] \[SPEAKER_01\]: you know, half time.
[17:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Um, but yeah, I'm not sure like right immediately after someone does something are, you know, questions being asked in other sports.
[18:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, we do do the mix zone, but it's not like,
[18:15] \[SPEAKER_01\]: five seconds after they get off the ice.
[18:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's at least by the time they come to us a couple minutes could be even longer if they have to go to TV first or whatever.
[18:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So, and I think that's a little different because it's prepared.
[18:30] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They're away from what they just did.
[18:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, they're not sitting there looking at the ice and being asked a question.
[18:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They're
[18:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: in a completely different hallway or something else they've had time to kind of talk to a coach and process things a little bit where that is like their microphone is right in their face as soon as they
[18:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: walked off the, you know, off the ice.
[18:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So yeah, yeah, I'm a little mixed on it too.
[19:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Um, yeah.
[19:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I like that they kind of do the introductions and wild up the crowd a little bit with that and the skaters like that too.
[19:11] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think because some of them like knowledge, you know, when their name is being called and all of that, but
[19:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Um, and you could hear that on the NBC coverage, you could sometimes hear, uh, you know, Ashley more so than Ben and I'm like, oh, man, her mic is really loud.
[19:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I could only imagine what it is in the arena, um, but.
[19:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We'll see what happens what they do in St. Louis, I guess, with it.
[19:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, I'm interested.
[19:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They use the white curved bench that they have, but they put a blanket on it.
[19:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then the backdrop was still kind of playing.
[19:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I really miss the more colorful vibrant backgrounds that we used to have at competitions.
[19:58] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[19:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, me too.
[19:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And maybe it would have been nice if they showcased a little of the adirondack feel of like clasid in the kissing.
[20:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[20:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That would have probably been a whole lot nicer.
[20:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[20:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The crap was really supportive of the athletes.
[20:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It got busier.
[20:17] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think Saturday and Sunday Friday night was okay.
[20:21] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I think it really picked up and you couldn't see the fans, but they
[20:28] \[SPEAKER_02\]: like nose blue type seats the bleachers that were sitting up there.
[20:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah on the actual bleachers so that was cool.
[20:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And again, there was a lot of support for everyone.
[20:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yes, it was mostly, I think, American audience.
[20:45] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I think that they supported all the athletes.
[20:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So that was fun.
[20:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I saw signs for so many different skaters in the audience and flags and posters.
[20:56] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And so it
[20:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: it was definitely cool yeah now did they leave the seats behind the judges open yeah those were those were open at the top of that section is was three rows dedicated for photographers and on Sunday they really clamped down and were not letting people sit there the previous two days there were a lot of people that weren't designated to sit there
[21:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: that we're sitting there.
[21:28] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I think they decided to clamp down on it.
[21:31] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I mean, it wasn't bad.
[21:34] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It made things look empty, not having any one behind there.
[21:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But it made things easier, at least at the top where I was, to be able to shoot without having anyone's head getting my way.
[21:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So that was okay.
[21:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Again, this was a different day.
[21:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Then what we're used to for skate American that I think is why we had snow and some other
[21:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Honestly, I prefer it when skate America's in October where it's supposed to be.
[21:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Oh, yes.
[22:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: This would have not been an issue for me if it was in October.
[22:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I would have been able to go, um, but I think a lot of people were really put off about
[22:10] \[SPEAKER_02\]: November traveling to Lake Placidet.
[22:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: For those who were thinking, oh no, go into Lake Placidet so hard already, but going knowing that it's a snowy time, I think really made people change their minds and say, nope, I'm definitely not going.
[22:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[22:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[22:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, one thing I want to mention before we actually
[22:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: being at home, I got to see the NBC coverage in the e-coverage, and I happened to see something that I was very excited about when I saw it.
[22:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Um, so it was during both the rhythm dance and the free dance.
[22:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: When Andrea Joyce of NBC was talking about Christina Carrera, an Anthony Palmer
[23:01] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They showed some photos and the photos that they showed were Daphne's photos.
[23:09] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I spotted it right away because they were these really cute photos.
[23:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: One was of Anthony in this like, what was it, a Dalmatian kind of looking or leopard print?
[23:22] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So in 2012, I photographed the Ice Dance Championships, like usual.
[23:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Anthony Pondomeranko was skating with Sarah Fang at that time, and they were skating to cats for their free-casts.
[23:33] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's what it was.
[23:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay.
[23:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah.
[23:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And at the same competition, Christina Carrera was skating for Canada with Simone Pierre Malapacquette.
[23:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I can't remember what their program was, but this is where Christina and Anthony actually met was at this like-plastic competition because they were both skating novice.
[23:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And it's funny because Christina reached out to me while I was on the road on my way there and said, hey, do you have any pictures from 2012?
[24:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I said, well, um, they're on a high drive back at home, but this is a link to the actual photos, you know, that I took at the competition.
[24:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And it happened to be my event because I used to shoot the novice free dance every year.
[24:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was kind of, um, a given that I was going to photograph the novice free.
[24:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was one of the last events of the week of the weekend, I think, of the week.
[24:31] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I, I just center the link and said, I won't be able to get them off my high drive until I get back home.
[24:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then I noticed that there were two off-ice photos and I took those as well because I do photo shoots, including that beautiful adorondact church with the red door.
[24:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I remember that photo shoot too, because
[24:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was really hot that day.
[24:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I just remember we went downtown.
[24:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We did a bunch of different things and I was so hot.
[25:00] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Melanie helped me on that photo shoot.
[25:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think we did it as a tag team.
[25:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So shout out to Melanie here because.
[25:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: because we did that shoot together.
[25:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, for one of the photos, I could see your name.
[25:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It was like right in that corner of it.
[25:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But then once I saw the red door of the, from the church, and I'm like, that's a given.
[25:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's an icedance.com photo because that church is used.
[25:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: for photoshoots, quite a bit.
[25:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Now did Christina tell you why she was wanting those photos?
[25:33] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, she did mention that NBC had asked her for pictures.
[25:37] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Oh, okay.
[25:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I didn't really know if it was for something for this.
[25:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Honestly, I thought it was something for something in the future.
[25:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I thought I had more time to like come back home and do things.
[25:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I thought, well, maybe they're gonna do something for nationals.
[25:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I can, you know, I'll have time
[25:56] \[SPEAKER_02\]: to dig in the archives.
[25:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And yes, so that was a huge surprise when you sent that over.
[26:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I'm like, what?
[26:05] \[SPEAKER_02\]: All capitals?
[26:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was really surprised.
[26:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wish they'd credited me.
[26:11] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wish the NBC, like, credited IDs, at least credit IDC or me.
[26:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But again, it was a very quick thing that happened.
[26:20] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm kind of blown away that they were on there.
[26:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think the only other thing I want to mention before we jump into the skating because we will talk about skating is that um, I can mount Laura Nackie Goopman.
[26:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yes, she skated really well in the short program.
[26:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So after the press conference was over, I went up to her and introduced myself and passed on greetings from Gina and Matteo and um, she got the bottle out right away.
[26:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was just really cool to get to talk to her for a minute.
[26:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And when we have skaters on to interview, it's a lot of times it's people that I know.
[27:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And so this is someone I had never met in person.
[27:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So it was just really nice to connect with her.
[27:10] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm really bummed that I had to make the choice to leave early and not get to see the jaws program in person.
[27:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Because that was all my list of things that I really wanted to see at this competition.
[27:21] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, the weather sometimes dictates things and I'm glad that I was able to get home safely and hope everyone else is as well.
[27:30] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes.
[27:31] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I do think we have to talk about the skating.
[27:34] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We've been talking for a while now.
[27:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Probably going to cut a bunch of stuff out so it's not so long, but um, we got to talk about the skating.
[27:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Just a quick overview, go Metal Kevin Amos from France, Silver Metal Mikhail Shutterov from Kazakhstan and Bronze Metal Kazuki Tamono of Japan.
[27:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I have to give you my highlights from the short program where Kazuki Tamono and Kevin Amos.
[28:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: getting to see Kevin's program in person after looking forward to it for ever since he announced the music.
[28:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was a definite highlight and I wasn't expecting the fire that I got to see in Kazuki Tumono's short program.
[28:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was fun and energizing another song that I've put on my playlist because I really liked it.
[28:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wasn't expecting it from him, so it was really, really fun.
[28:43] \[SPEAKER_02\]: In the free skate, a little bit different, Kevin skated while despite him battling this leg injury, he talked about it in the press conference, which I have something I'm going to read in a second.
[28:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, so Kevin Amos didn't skate as well in the free skate, but he skated well enough to take the title.
[29:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There was kind of a battle between him and shader of in the free skate, um, with shudder of winning the technical mark and Kevin winning the artistic mark was only
[29:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So Shadow of Head 2, Big Falls, he had fall on a quad toe, fall on a quad flip.
[29:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I liked his programs better last year.
[29:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I feel like things changed once you win a world medal, and there's more scrutiny pushed on you, especially in singles.
[29:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think he's still getting into the programs.
[29:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I'm just not sure they're the best vehicles for him this season and not.
[29:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Again, some of our fans may disagree with that.
[29:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I just don't think that they're the right programs for him.
[30:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The short program was okay.
[30:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The free skate, I really didn't connect with.
[30:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So yeah, I was disappointed.
[30:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I kind of expected to see more from him and I'm hoping that he'll continue to get either get into the programs or he will switch it up for the Olympics and for the rest of the season.
[30:28] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I guess we'll see.
[30:29] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It looks like he's qualified for the final, so we'll see him there.
[30:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was kind of, it was kind of sad to watch the free skate.
[30:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It, you knew after seeing him in the short that he was capable of so much more and then it just, kind of evaporated.
[30:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Jason Brown was fourth.
[31:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Again, I think he might have been able to squeak onto the podium.
[31:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: His skate, I mean, was a third place free skate,
[31:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He'll focus on his next competition.
[31:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He's going to Finlandia, trophy this week.
[31:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We'll see where he ends up there.
[31:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then Daniel Grassel was fifth.
[31:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I'm kind of on the team of, I don't really like the concave, free skate.
[31:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: show a program was better.
[31:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, actually when I was listening to the NBC coverage, Johnny was not feeling it.
[31:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And Tara really likes it.
[31:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And so they were like, Johnny was kind of harsh.
[31:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She was like, Tara, I don't see what you're seeing.
[31:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I don't get it.
[31:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And Tara was like, she kind of
[32:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I don't, I don't see those being similar, um, no, I just kind of thought it was a little flat to me, um, yeah, I don't think this is probably the right program for him, um,
[32:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But yeah, there's, I think there's people who really love it.
[32:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then there's people who really don't like it.
[32:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I don't think there's anybody sort of in-between.
[32:27] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I'm kind of with you, Daphne.
[32:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm not feeling it at all.
[32:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I'm on that end.
[32:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I will say, I loved Jason Brown's River dance.
[32:39] \[SPEAKER_01\]: As a short program that was fun.
[32:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I feel, especially that's going to blow the place
[32:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It is.
[32:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It is.
[32:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: In St. Louis.
[32:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It is.
[32:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Definitely.
[32:51] \[SPEAKER_02\]: People love nostalgia and they're going to get behind that they're really going to enjoy it.
[32:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I still think Jason Brown has more in there that we didn't get to see.
[33:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah.
[33:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Oh, child.
[33:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And so we'll see what he pulls out in Finlandia.
[33:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I just feel like there's more in the in the tank that we haven't seen yet.
[33:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: did not start off strong.
[33:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He just had a bunch of mistakes and took himself out of consideration.
[33:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But the one program that I want to talk about and people can say what they want about.
[33:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Well, this doesn't have as many transitions or this might program might not be empty.
[33:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Vladimir livence of Azerbaijan, got a standing ovation for his free skate to music from Joker and Joker Falea do.
[33:59] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I knew what it was right from the beginning.
[34:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: From his mannerisms and the character,
[34:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: and when the music for rock and roll part 2 came on and he really got into it, it just created a moment and it is did he skate as well as those who finished ahead of him for himself, I think he skated really well and it
[34:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: fourth in the free skate, I think that speaks for himself.
[34:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yes, others had mistakes, but their is something to be said for someone who impacts the arena and gets the crowd on their feet, and that is what he did.
[34:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Oh yeah, and they loved him.
[34:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: The NBC coverage as well.
[34:54] \[SPEAKER_01\]: They were very much that was like the highlight for them definitely and sometimes it all comes down to the performance, you know, maybe not so much what the technical components are I think people get behind a program that it can be entertaining and may not be the top
[35:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: program of the event or the one that wins the gold medal, but sometimes it's that program that, you know, just, you know, as entertaining and get shot on your feet, it's, you know, and then sometimes like Jason's river dance, it's got that nostalgia, but it also is a program that when he's, you know, gets into his choreo sequence and the split jump happens,
[35:46] \[SPEAKER_01\]: all of that.
[35:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, it's it's entertaining to watch.
[35:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It's, you know, you enjoy watching it.
[35:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So sometimes that's what for people in an arena or just at home, it's that's what people like sometimes is a program that really, it really draws them in.
[36:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I guess is what I'm saying.
[36:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, he had some of the lowest component marks, but his technical was high enough to put him in
[36:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: he was fun.
[36:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I had fun watching him.
[36:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He was into the character.
[36:21] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He had committed to it.
[36:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was for me.
[36:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It was great.
[36:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Before we close up the men, I want to mention something that Kevin Amos said in the press conference.
[36:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: You and I Gina, along with Mateo, we've said many times on
[36:43] \[SPEAKER_02\]: fans and journalists can be incredibly harsh to the athletes that are doing this that we're watching.
[36:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And so this is something that he said.
[36:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: My skating journey has been as long as Kazuki's, I've known him since Juneers.
[37:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I didn't want to skate for the audience, for the judges,
[37:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: burned out two years ago, I had to fight to stay alive.
[37:17] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I've been through 80 disorders.
[37:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Every day when I wake up, I fight to put clothes on and think about what people think I'm going to wear today.
[37:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Being an athlete is very difficult, and maybe I wanted to send a message to the audience.
[37:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Respect the athletes, when we do bad, it's difficult for us first, because we are the ones who are training every day.
[37:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Respect the athletes, they are working so hard.
[37:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Every single skater doesn't matter what competition, what country, every skater has something to bring on the ice.
[37:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: We are here for the love of the sport and figure skating.
[37:52] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Today I cried because I fight all the demons I fight every day.
[37:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I am grateful that I was there to hear him say these words, because he is 100% right.
[38:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I think people are too harsh.
[38:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And you can say that, oh, well, they put themselves in this position by being a public figure in a public sport as an athlete.
[38:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: To a point, yes, but I also think there is a point where people go above and beyond to be cruel.
[38:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And there is no place for that in the sport.
[38:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: That's my opinion, you can disagree with me if you want.
[38:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I commend Kevin for saying what he said in the press conference.
[38:40] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I commend the other athletes who have come forward and said this before, because Kevin isn't the only one.
[38:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: In fact, while I was at Skate America, Natalie Tashlerova posted a video on Instagram that contains a lot of the same through lines.
[39:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: to post something nasty or negative or cruel, then you really don't love skating.
[39:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: You love the excitement of being able to watch something that brings so much beauty and joy to the world, but you can't wait to get on to Twitter and say something mean because it makes you feel powerful.
[39:29] \[SPEAKER_02\]: You need to think about that before you do this.
[39:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Maybe you need to stop watching.
[39:34] \[SPEAKER_02\]: If it makes you that angry or grumpy, maybe you shouldn't watch.
[39:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I know that skating is fighting for every fan that it can get right now.
[39:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's not necessary to be this way.
[39:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And remember, and this is something someone said to me, well I was at Skate America when we were listening to Kevin.
[39:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: If you're going to write something or say something, imagine how you would say it to their face if they were standing in front of you.
[40:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then
[40:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: right at that way.
[40:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And with that, we can move on to the women.
[40:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes.
[40:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And since deafening did not get to see the free skate, I will recap the women's event.
[40:21] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It was a list of Lou that took home the gold medal.
[40:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Actually, a list of one her first senior
[40:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We think she has already won a Grand Prix event, given how she's been in the sport, even though she had that break in there, we thought, oh, man, that happened the first, first part of Alyssa's career, but it didn't, and what's even cool about this whole thing is she won her first JGP in the same ring six years ago.
[41:06] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Little Alyssa Lou, very much very young version of Alyssa.
[41:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Rinka Wantanabi, who was the leader after the short program.
[41:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She was finished second, and we'll talk a little bit more about that.
[41:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Georgia's Anastasia Gubanova, got on the podium, finished third.
[41:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She was fourth after the short program.
[41:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yes, Alyssa, I thought skated very well in the free skate and the short program.
[41:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, she had mistakes in both.
[41:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think when I was talking about the intertaining,
[41:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Ness of programs, I think Alyssa's was a little bit more entertaining than maybe Rinka Watanabe's free skate.
[41:59] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And so maybe that was why Alyssa took home the gold instead of Rinka.
[42:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think they were harsh on Rinka.
[42:13] \[SPEAKER_01\]: with the scoring.
[42:15] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, she did go out there.
[42:17] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She did, um, she landed a triple axle in the short program.
[42:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She did a triple axles triple toe in the free.
[42:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think she did miss one of her triple axles in the free skate.
[42:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Um, and I think she is really putting herself out there as, hey, look at me.
[42:38] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Don't forget me.
[42:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: for those three spots for the Japanese women.
[42:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I made a bold prediction, and I'm going to say right now, she could be one of those three.
[42:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I mean, I could see Kauri, Monet Chiba, and Rinka want to not be being the three that go to the Olympics.
[42:57] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Maybe I mean a key in there, you know, as well.
[43:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I think those four right now, to me are the ones that are the favorites.
[43:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: for those Olympic spots, um, what, again, I think the scoring was, uh, a strict, um, on Rinka.
[43:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I think, you know, Alyssa was even surprised that she won the event, um, in that Rinka looked a little disappointed in a little confused by that.
[43:29] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I, you know, and I think the scoring was tough,
[43:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: cross the board and all of the disciplines.
[43:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But, you know, to me, I think they were looking maybe.
[43:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I don't know.
[43:42] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm not a judge, but I think, again, the performance, you know, Alyssa was skating home in front of a home crowd to a program that has brought people to their feet.
[44:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: the notch they gave a list of the edge over maybe wrinkle.
[44:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm not sure, again, not a judge.
[44:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I maybe was a little bit surprised to that Laranaki Gootman, who was third after the
[44:19] \[SPEAKER_01\]: and miss the podium by less than half a point.
[44:22] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think I would have had her on the podium.
[44:25] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She had a new personal best in the short program and overall and I thought she skated the free skate very well.
[44:33] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I was bummed for you to have me that you didn't get to see jaws in person but um
[44:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, I, you know, I would have had that change.
[44:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I know there, there's a lot of people out there right now who are not totally happy with the results of the women's event and would have had things differently.
[44:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And yeah, I mean, that's how it is, you know, we always don't agree with the judges and
[45:01] \[SPEAKER_01\]: but it is what it is.
[45:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: One thing I do have to mention that was quite a surprise was Star Andrews.
[45:11] \[SPEAKER_01\]: She came out with a really good short program.
[45:15] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I actually, one of our friends, didn't realize that the coverage had started prior to 7pm and
[45:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: on Saturday and she was like oh my god I didn't realize it and I said go back and watch star star did really well and of course she did go back and watch it but then she was in that final group she was in sixth place after the short program and then she came out and delivered another really
[45:48] \[SPEAKER_01\]: to finish fifth overall, and she sings part of her free skate.
[45:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I think Star is, if she skates like this, now she only had this as, this was her only Grand Prix.
[46:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But if she skates like this at Nationals, she's put in herself for continents, possibility of being named to four continents and other events in the second half of the season.
[46:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And this is her final season as a single skater.
[46:23] \[SPEAKER_01\]: We had heard a couple months ago that this could be the end of her skating in singles and that she may go,
[46:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: the pairs route and this was confirmed in an article with you as figure skating this week right before skate America that this is indeed her final season as a single skater and that she's going to try pairs and so I think she just has no pressure on her that she's like this is it I'm going to try something new and
[46:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: she's coming out and she's skated really well as skated America and it was fun to watch her family and Luke Wang, who is her boyfriend, get really behind her.
[47:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Luke was all over the NBC coverage.
[47:09] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So that was that was a definitely highlight for me in the women's event.
[47:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, there were some good skates.
[47:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Again, people were a little
[47:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I guess everybody's kind of mixed on the results, but again, I think it's judging wise and scoring wise.
[47:26] \[SPEAKER_01\]: It was harsh, I mean, you know, things were getting called under rotations that were totally under rotations.
[47:34] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then some were under rotations were totally missed.
[47:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: What I'll say about that is, overall, the tech panels were hard in
[47:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: not just I stance which we'll talk about, but in the other disciplines as well, that was noticed that there were a few of us journalists backstage that were just kind of like, huh, this is not what we were expecting.
[48:00] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's, yeah, it's definitely it was harsh in some cases
[48:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: As soon as someone came up to me and said, well, what did you think of that?
[48:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm just like, I need to look at the protocol and see what.
[48:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Because I didn't know it is.
[48:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I guess the things that they're getting dinged for plus I.
[48:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And still, you know, with dance I usually know pretty well, but with other disciplines, I don't.
[48:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I have to have to look at it.
[48:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Well, yeah, and then sometimes is you're watching it, you don't notice everything.
[48:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then you look at the protocols and you're like, Oh, I guess that was under rotated.
[48:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But then sometimes you're watching it and you're like, that is totally under rotated.
[48:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And you go to the protocols and you look and it's like, Oh, no, that was marked clean.
[49:00] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Let's go on to pairs.
[49:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, this was a messy event.
[49:05] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The short program not as much, but the free skate was definitely messy.
[49:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There were things that you didn't expect to see missed lifts, struggles with elements that were not really used to seeing.
[49:22] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Falls on a pair spin.
[49:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So Rikulu, Mera, and Riyuichi Kiyara, when their second consecutive gold at Skate America, they were in second after the short program.
[49:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They qualified for the final, but they had some mistakes in both programs.
[49:41] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And Estesium, Metallica, Luca Berulova, they were the leaders after the short, they had a great short.
[49:49] \[SPEAKER_02\]: She started with her head on the ice, like it was very interesting.
[49:55] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah.
[49:56] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And that was what I was talking about with the tape on the arms.
[50:00] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I guess that's to help her correct.
[50:02] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And I don't know if that's your allowed to do that, I guess.
[50:05] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I was trying to find the tape.
[50:08] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I kept like looking.
[50:09] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm like, where's that tape?
[50:10] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Where's that tape?
[50:12] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I didn't see it.
[50:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They were fantastic in the short program.
[50:17] \[SPEAKER_02\]: People forget that they're as young as they are.
[50:20] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They're still very, very young in the realm of pairs.
[50:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, but the free skate, I saw some of the free skate on the feed downstairs, and they had major mistakes.
[50:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, she fell on her triple South cow there.
[50:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Axel Lassel Lift did not go up at all.
[50:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think they ended up fourth in the free skate.
[50:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then dropped to second overall and they were very disappointed with that Ken is Kelly and Lauren and Lucas at the a claim to their second skate-America bronze medal They won bronze also in 2022.
[51:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They were six after the short program, but they had like a great free skate.
[51:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They were one of the teams that that skated pretty well
[51:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, and a Kahaka and Robert Kunkel were third after the show at program, they dropped to fifth overall issues with the lifts, um, took them out of it.
[51:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Our media is Karina Akapava and Nikita Rakmanin finished 6th overall.
[51:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They got no credit for the pair spin and they fell on the element and had mistakes on their side by side jumps and third jumps.
[51:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Again, they were a team that came in at the last minute and their short program was much better than this.
[51:44] \[SPEAKER_01\]: there's was it was their skates just got too close in the pair spin and they hit and you know and he fell yeah it was just one thing after another one team would have this you know mistake and then another team would have a mistake it was just was a very messy very shocking pairs event moving into the last event of the competition
[52:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: What to say about Ice Dance?
[52:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Well, you know what's my favorite discipline?
[52:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, Madison chalk and Evan Bates when they're Fiskate America gold.
[52:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They had a comfortable margin.
[52:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I had of the team in second place, which was Marjorie Lishwatt and Zachary Laga.
[52:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I've gained a little pot of uh, and Jeffrey Bricell won the bronze.
[52:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, the standings did not change in first through third and even further down, um, between the rhythm dance and the free dance.
[52:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Trogambates have two goals from their grandprays.
[52:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They will go to their eighth Grand Prix final.
[52:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They're the only team that's one two grandprays a season.
[52:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think the new skirt is better, but I want it to be red.
[53:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I still liked the red better.
[53:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wasn't the only one, but I know a lot of people didn't like the red.
[53:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Again, we can have differences of opinion.
[53:11] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I know there's at least one other person that likes the red.
[53:16] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, I think the skirt was less distracting this one, but I told Anne, and I know they're skating to paint a black, I want a little more color.
[53:32] \[SPEAKER_00\]: in it.
[53:33] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I think if I remember from Cup of China, I then had a little more color in his costume, and this time around it was totally black.
[53:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I just want a little color.
[53:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Maybe like because I feel like there was a little like either gray or a gold in there.
[53:53] \[SPEAKER_01\]: But I have a feeling this is not
[53:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, things evolve with Madison and Evan and their costumes over the season.
[54:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I guess we'll see.
[54:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think this was a step in the right direction.
[54:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I just really like the red.
[54:08] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But gold would be okay, too.
[54:10] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Like I think that would be fine.
[54:11] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, just a little color to either.
[54:14] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Especially Evan.
[54:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think just if Evan had a little color if she wanted to be all black that would be okay I do like the red, but I think just and he's just a little color Just a little Marjorie, Lishwan, Zachary, Laga, seeing their rhythm dance in person was helpful It really showcases marjorie's personality I think the free dance
[54:43] \[SPEAKER_02\]: showcases his personality and the rhythm dance really showcases hers like this athletic really fun energy and the free dance is a great contrast to that.
[54:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's not my favorite rhythm dance that they've had because I really liked the thriller that they did a couple of years ago like that was totally fun.
[55:06] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But it's growing on me.
[55:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's taking some time.
[55:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: If Ganya and Jeffries programs, I was okay with the red costumes.
[55:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I know everyone wanted them to change into blue because of this song.
[55:22] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But I liked the red, I was okay with that.
[55:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: If Ganya said in the press conference, because they were asked this question about their programs and coming up with music and things, and she said they're often called the weird ones, because
[55:38] \[SPEAKER_02\]: of their program choices, but they look for unique music that can uplift their uniqueness and my thought is never, never change because I really love that they do things that set them apart from other teams and the other thing that she said is they're always looking for things that will be
[56:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: in their type of style or their way, but not a repeat of something that they've already done before.
[56:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And that can be really hard.
[56:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I like that they're more avant-garde.
[56:11] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I love their programs last season, really enjoy their programs this season.
[56:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think Beork is a perfect choice for them and was really happy to see them skate well here.
[56:22] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I want to share a couple of other things outside the top three.
[56:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I really enjoyed the wissia dimmajou, and they all immerse years for you dance.
[56:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: That was, according to Lynn, rather for its tweet that she did, it's inspired by a Netflix series Arcane League of Legends, and a video game called League of Legends, which Theo has been playing religiously for 10 years.
[56:51] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I love that.
[56:52] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I love when they get to incorporate a piece of that into their program, something that's
[56:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: outside the realm of skating that they can pull in, and I enjoyed getting to see them skate in person.
[57:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The last time I did it, I saw them at worlds, but the last time in a skate America was, I think, back in Boston, and they've just grown so much since then.
[57:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I see them inching their way up in the standings.
[57:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There were a lot of low level calls for teams, and I get the impression that they were not expected.
[57:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: one had to do with the pattern dance type step sequence and most of the teams got only a level one or a base on it, the only team to get above that, there were two teams that did if Genia and Jeffrey and then Una Brown and Gage Brown.
[57:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: when speaking about the Browns, I have to say their rhythm dance, which is to House of Payne's jump around.
[57:51] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I wondered what the audience was going to think about it because it's not music that it definitely came out in the 90s, yes, for sure.
[58:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But it wasn't an obvious choice for a rhythm dance.
[58:05] \[SPEAKER_02\]: The crab really loved it and they really got into their freedoms as well.
[58:10] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So that was definitely like highlight.
[58:15] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I have to say something about the Browns.
[58:18] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I thought they skated very well in both segments.
[58:24] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I did like the jump around where them dance, and I thought that was really fun.
[58:31] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And then the Godfather, oh man, did they stay in character?
[58:36] \[SPEAKER_01\]: in that whole entire program, gauge, man, and even Una, at the end too, it was, I think they are looking really good this season, and I think they've got two really good programs.
[58:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, it should be interesting to see how well they do at U.S. Nationals, but they got a Finland this week.
[58:59] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So yeah, I also want to mention Christina Crayer, Anthony Pondomaranko.
[59:05] \[SPEAKER_02\]: They were a team that I think was expecting a higher score.
[59:11] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I was too, because from where I was sitting, it didn't look.
[59:15] \[SPEAKER_02\]: like they had done anything, majorly wrong.
[59:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But there's this whole discussion about skating on flats and turns and curves and the blade.
[59:25] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I'm trying to photograph, so I'm not looking distinctly at the feet.
[59:31] \[SPEAKER_02\]: However, there was an element comparison that was done on NBC.
[59:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And you saw Christina Nathony and Maddie and Evan and the speed at which Christina Nathony
[59:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: versus Maddie and Evan who were going slower.
[59:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think sometimes you can get caught up in the excitement of being where you are and things can happen.
[59:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I stance as a sport that usually will reward speed and this is a case where Maddie and Evan were very clear on the steps they were taking and trying to get levels, but they didn't even get above a level one
[1:00:14] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Originally we're marked as a base according to someone who was watching on TV and could see and then it was upgraded to a one.
[1:00:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I can imagine they were incredibly disappointed with the score that they got at this competition and I'm hoping that being the competitors I know that they are they'll go back and
[1:00:39] \[SPEAKER_02\]: push themselves really hard to get ready for their next competition, which I think is nationals unless they have another international coming out.
[1:00:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Last thing I want to mention, Robert Samuelals, who is a journalist, asked a very interesting question of the press conference.
[1:00:56] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And Gina can link, I think the press conferences are on YouTube for anyone to watch.
[1:01:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But in the press conferences, he was just funny.
[1:01:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: To me, I actually enjoyed some of his little comments.
[1:01:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But Robert Samuels was talking about skating in general and dying on the ice, and I'm using air quotes.
[1:01:23] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And people who have been dance fans for a long time may remember that there was a hold to do about dying on the ice about 10, 12 years ago, where they decided
[1:01:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: programs had to be uplifting and we couldn't have any more like dying on the ice is what they called it.
[1:01:44] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Um, they didn't take it away from the other disciplines.
[1:01:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I don't think it was just dance dances usually the one that the parameters are always intriguing and bizarre to me at times.
[1:01:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So Robert asked this question about dying on the ice and if they consider it for their programs like in the programs they were doing and I just remember Zachary at first said well Marjorie's not dying on the ice and that I had I had our time not just giggling but then as Zachary was talking about something else.
[1:02:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: he looked over at the monitor that was showing the women's free skate and and someone edited their program laying on the ice and he pointed out see look over there yes dying on the ice like and the place just couldn't stop laughing um... because it it was being there in that moment it was it was just comical because he pointed out
[1:02:43] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Yeah, yeah, and actually said Zachary was had a whole different personality in the press conference is then when you see him on the other side, very serious, very sad, but she said he was quite comical in the press conference.
[1:03:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah.
[1:03:02] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I mean, the dance event as a whole, I really enjoyed and not just the top three, the teams that were slated four through ten to me all brought interesting things.
[1:03:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Friday and four now are new from junior.
[1:03:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I thought they were a little underscored in some cases.
[1:03:20] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Alicia, um, fabric and Paul air.
[1:03:24] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Their free dance is beautiful.
[1:03:26] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There's just such a
[1:03:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: quality to their skating.
[1:03:32] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Marascava and Marasak are fiery.
[1:03:35] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Their program was in the free was incredibly like passionate, fiery.
[1:03:40] \[SPEAKER_02\]: She knows how to work her skirt, but they had a whole problem.
[1:03:46] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I think it was on the character steps at the end that really hurt them.
[1:03:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, I didn't see that because that was the program that got cut right in the middle it was so like passionate I I'm glad I got to photograph it because I got really cool photos of her working the skirt but it looked like her skirt got caught on her skate at the beginning of the program but she got it somehow they worked out of it I kind of want to go watch it again just to see how they were able to make that happen.
[1:04:19] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And then Phoebe Becker and James Hernandez, who were also with late replacement at this competition, to see how much they've grown, even since worlds, was great.
[1:04:30] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And also seeing full of my competitors at the boards is always fun.
[1:04:37] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I mean, and again, late-classed, I love late-classed.
[1:04:42] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And I hope that if it's chosen again for Skater America, which I think it will be at some point,
[1:04:47] \[SPEAKER_02\]: October.
[1:04:48] \[SPEAKER_02\]: October.
[1:04:49] \[SPEAKER_01\]: October.
[1:04:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: October.
[1:04:51] \[SPEAKER_01\]: October.
[1:04:52] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah.
[1:04:52] \[SPEAKER_01\]: That's all I'm going to say.
[1:04:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah.
[1:04:55] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So, I think that's everything.
[1:04:58] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I don't think I have anything left in the tank.
[1:05:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I feel like we've talked, we've talked for an hour and a half, so I'm gonna have to cut a bunch of stuff out.
[1:05:07] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Anyway, I think that's a rap on Skate America.
[1:05:09] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It didn't have a gala this year.
[1:05:12] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I don't know, I feel like maybe Gailas are a thing of the past, or maybe it's just because it's an Olympic year, people are cutting things down.
[1:05:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I feel like in an Olympic year, I think that's when we need to kind of cut the gala's just because it's another event or another time the skaters have to go out in in perform and for some they need to get out the door and head to their next-scrant pre.
[1:05:41] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So, and we don't want to risk anyone getting injured, I, you
[1:05:50] \[SPEAKER_01\]: In a skater potentially getting injured and reminds me of Nathan Chen and I can't remember the year now when he got injured in the Gala and did not go to worlds was that that was 20 to 20 16.
[1:06:03] \[SPEAKER_01\]: Okay, that's what I thought and so I think we really just have to make sure we get the skaters out there on the ice to compete and to their events that they need to go to without adding an additional thing that they have to do.
[1:06:20] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I know we posted an article with a list of Lou, just before Skate America, and she wants to be in the Gala at the Olympics.
[1:06:32] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I know Skaters love the Gala, but maybe we just have to wait until Worlds and the Olympics to have the Gala's.
[1:06:40] \[SPEAKER_01\]: And it's been kind of mixed this season for the Grand Prix, because three have had Gala's and three have not.
[1:06:47] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I know our friend Jordan loves a good gala.
[1:06:50] \[SPEAKER_02\]: He does, but I am not a gala fan.
[1:06:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: And you know what, I used to go to show us all the time.
[1:06:57] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But once I went to a competition, that was it.
[1:07:01] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I love the fire of competition.
[1:07:03] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's just
[1:07:04] \[SPEAKER_02\]: There's a passion and excitement there that I get that the Gail is a fun, but for me I enjoy the watching the competitive program more.
[1:07:13] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So I'll go to the Gaila, maybe.
[1:07:16] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Like I won't go to the Gaila at Nationals.
[1:07:18] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I'm booking my tickets to fly right back home.
[1:07:21] \[SPEAKER_02\]: I haven't been to a Nationals Gaila in five, six, seven years.
[1:07:27] \[SPEAKER_02\]: It's just easier to fly home.
[1:07:29] \[SPEAKER_02\]: But yeah, I think that's a wrap on Skate America coverage.
[1:07:33] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Mateo and I will be back next week.
[1:07:36] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Gina will be away during Finlandia.
[1:07:38] \[SPEAKER_01\]: I'm gonna try to watch when I get home, but I don't think I'll be able to watch anything live.
[1:07:45] \[SPEAKER_01\]: So I told the two of them to count me out for recapping Finlandia next week, but I'll tune in as much as I can.
[1:07:53] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Yeah, and Mateo will be there.
[1:07:54] \[SPEAKER_02\]: So he will get to be the one doing most of the talking.
[1:07:59] \[SPEAKER_02\]: Anyway, see you in the next episode.
[1:08:02] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Thanks for tuning in to another episode of This Week in Skating.
[1:08:05] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Remember, you can keep up with us throughout the week by visiting our website at www.thisweekincading.com.
[1:08:12] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Connect with us on social media for additional updates.
[1:08:14] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You can find us on Twitter at This Week in Skating without the ease or Facebook, Instagram, and Threads at This Week in Skating.
[1:08:22] \[SPEAKER_00\]: You got a burning question or feedback for Gina Daphne or Mateo?
[1:08:25] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Reach out to us via social media or drop us an email at thisweekenscading at gmail.com.
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[1:08:38] \[SPEAKER_00\]: Until next time, have a nice week!

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