By Abby Farrell
The January/February issue of SKATING magazine hits mailboxes this week; here are five stories to check out.
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Columbus Awaits: Best in the Land to Compete for Coveted Titles, Medals
Get excited for the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships later this month! Reigning champions and fresh faces alike will convene in Columbus, Ohio, all fighting for their chance to stand on top of the podium as a U.S. champion. Headlining the event and coming back to defend their titles are recent Grand Prix Final gold medalists Ilia Malinin and Madison Chock and Evan Bates, competing in the men’s and ice dance disciplines, respectively. Also looking to defend her title in the women’s event is Isabeau Levito. Unlike the past decade, the pairs title is up for grabs as a new generation of athletes take the ice. Additionally, expert analyst Jackie Wong lists five things for fans to look for in Columbus.
Buckeye Beginnings: Skaters Share Stories of Their Early Lives on the Ice
As the U.S. Figure Skating Championships head to Columbus, Ohio, we take a look at some of the notable athletes, coaches and choreographers who hail from the Buckeye State. Notable names include Olympic champion Scott Hamilton, three-time Olympian Jenni Meno-Sand, and junior ice dance medalist and longtime coach Franklyn Singley among others. These individuals who have either won or helped athletes go on to win dozens of international and U.S. titles between them all reflect on their careers and growing up in Ohio.
Over the Pond
The international synchronized skating season gets underway this month, and the three senior and nine junior teams that will represent Team USA during the 2023-24 season are announced. Throughout the season, each team will compete in various Challenger Series events all over the world. Also, for the first time, teams from both the senior and junior events will be named to represent the U.S. at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 and ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 following the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.
Jeopardy! Winner Mentions Diversify Ice
Joe Velasco competed on the trivia quiz show “Jeopardy!,” recently and made sure to give a shoutout to the figure skating community; he’s a board member with Diversify Ice. During interviews with all of the contestants, Velasco discusses a freak accident that had occurred on the ice exactly 16 years prior to his first appearance on the show in 2020, as well as his involvement with Diversify Ice, and the work it does to support skaters of color. In his most recent appearance, Velasco came back from being down almost $10,000 to win a quarterfinal round of the Champions Wild Card Tournament.
Where Are They Now? – Kristine Musademba
Catch up with 2005 U.S. intermediate champion Kristine Musademba as she transitions to using art as a form of self-expression. Last fall, her work was featured as part of a group show titled “Camp Underground,” which included visual artists, musical artists and other creators. Musademba also reminisces on how after retiring from skating after a career that included ISU Junior Grand Prix titles and a handful of podium finishes at the U.S. Championships, she attended college in New York which exposed her to diverse communities, arts, culture and history. By having these experiences, it allowed her to form a deeper connection with her Filipino and Zimbabwean heritage and has led to her involvement with the Diversify Ice Foundation.
