Team USA will send seven athletes to compete at 2019 Finlandia Trophy this week in Espoo, Finland. The event is the sixth stop on the ISU Challenger Series circuit. The competition kicks off with the ladies, men’s and pairs short programs on Friday, Oct. 11, while the ice dance competition opens with the rhythm dance on Saturday, Oct. 12.
In the ladies competition, Starr Andrews and Megan Wessenberg will represent Team USA. Andrews will make her third appearance of the season in Finland, previously finishing fourth at Philadelphia Summer International and fifth at Lombardia Trophy. Wessenberg is also competing for the third time this season, placing fifth in Philadelphia and 11th at Lombardia Trophy.
Jimmy Ma is the sole American competing in the men’s competition at Finlandia Trophy. Ma opened his season last month at the 2019 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic where he placed sixth.
In the pairs competition, Olivia Serafini and Mervin Tran will take international ice for the first time since teaming up in 2018. The duo finished 13th at 2019 U.S. Championships.
The United States will send Madison Chock and Evan Bates to Finland. The 2019 Four Continents champions won gold at their season debut at U.S. International Classic in September and return to Finlandia Trophy for the first time since winning the silver medal in 2013.
The ISU Challenger Series is a group of 10 senior-level international figure skating competitions held each year to help skaters prepare and qualify for ISU Championship events.
