By Abby Farrell
The Fall 2024 issue of SKATING magazine hit mailboxes this past weekend. Here are five stories to check out.
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‘It’s Just Right There’: Amber Glenn Primed for an Olympic Run
When picking her program music for this season, although it seemed ambitious at first, Janet Jackson’s “This Time” became the perfect anthem for Amber Glenn. It represents the skater’s break from previous insecurities and newfound self-confidence to trust her training and recognize that she is a talented skater. With less than two years away from the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and hot off of winning her first U.S. title earlier this year, Glenn isn’t holding back and is determined to show the world that she is following her own path to success on the ice. At the same time, Glenn is an ambassador for the sport, inspiring others by being open and vulnerable about her mental health struggles and showing her authentic self by embracing her queer identity.
Howdy! Skaters Take Aim at Podium in Lone Star State
Now that we are officially two weeks away from the start of 2024 Skate America in Allen, Texas, it’s time to get excited and take a look at seven things to watch for at this year’s event. Reigning event champions Ilia Malinin and the ice dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates return to the Lone Star State. Malinin will go for his third consecutive gold while Chock and Bates will vie for an historic fifth win. With a fifth gold medal, Chock and Bates tie Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto for most victories at Skate America. This year’s competition also features Bradie Tennell’s return to the Grand Prix Series after missing most of last season due to injury and Elyce Lin-Gracey and the ice dance team of Isabella Flores and Ivan Desyatov, who will make their Grand Prix debuts.
To purchase tickets to 2024 Skate America, visit 2024skateamerica.com.
The Unpaved Road to Gold: Team USA Finally Receives Its Medals in Paris
After two and a half years of waiting, Team USA was rightfully awarded its gold medal from the figure skating team event at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. The battle included countless court hearings and appeals regarding a Russian doping case, during which, the nine members of the U.S. team — Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Karen Chen, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue — championed integrity and clean sport. The medals were awarded during the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris on Aug. 7, where the athletes could finally celebrate this momentous achievement with friends and families.
Remembering Coaching Legend Frank Carroll
On June 9, 2024, the figure skating community lost legendary coach Frank Carroll who passed away following a battle with cancer. In his 60-year career, Carroll coached athletes to Olympic, World, World Junior and U.S. Championships gold. Skating greats including Evan Lysacek, Michelle Kwan and Linda Fratianne talk about the impact Carroll made on their lives as their coach, mentor and friend.
‘Varied Opportunities’ Lead to Membership Records
U.S. Figure Skating is proud to celebrate another record-breaking membership season. Seven membership and program records — Learn to Skate USA®, high school, collegiate, Excel, synchronized skating and National Showcase — were broken during the 2023-24 season. Total membership (which includes Learn to Skate USA®) reached a milestone of 246,213 members. Full membership also exceeded 60,000 members for the first time since 2009. This growth is due in part to U.S. Figure Skating’s focus on inclusivity through the various programs aimed at sustaining engagement, as well as the commitment and leadership shown by club leaders, committee chairs, program directors, coaches, instructors and officials.
