JU V E NIL E
When it came to selecting music, Turchin teamed his critical eye with a critical ear. He and his mom selected two Cirque du Soleil pieces, “Innocence” and “Zydeko,” after watching a video of three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir skating to them back in 2003. “His program inspired me, and my coach
(Alexander Vedenin) liked the music,” Turchin said. “I thought it showed a side of me that was intense and dark, and another side that just wants to skate fast and show what I’ve really got.” Finster, who performed to Kevin Spacey’s
take on Bobby Darin’s jazzy pop ballad “Beyond the Sea,” was the only skater of the event who used vocal music. “It’s easier to express something if you can
really understand it with the words,” the 13-year- old, who represents the Louisville Skating Acade- my, said.
Te skater opened strong with a double
Lutz-double toe loop combination, and although he faltered on the landing of his double Axel, he hit four other double jumps as well as two Level 4 spins for 46.62 points. “I thought I skated great,” Finster said. “Tat
Daniel Turchin
Altice Sollazo and Paul Yeung
was my highest score ever. I’m happy with it, even though I didn’t get first. For next season, when I’m an intermediate, I want to work on triples and get- ting my double Axel more consistent.” Finster’s coach, Jessica Mills Kincade, thinks
the training atmosphere at Louisville Skating Academy plays a big part in her student’s success. “Tere are about 130 kids in the club, and
we have 12 skaters at nationals this year,” Mills said. “It’s a growing program.” One of those skaters is Chase’s sister, Kate, who placed first in novice pairs with partner Eric Hartley. Joseph Kang, of the University of Delaware FSC, burst out of the gate first, skating to the theme from Rocky. He had the event’s cleanest routine, hitting seven double jumps including a solid double Axel and a double loop-double loop combination. His 45.50 points gave him the bronze medal. “Skating first wasn’t my first choice, but it
wouldn’t have been my last, either,” the 11-year- old said. “At sectionals I skated worse and got a better score, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’m happy with my medal.” Kang, who attends Garner Middle School, has trained under Pam Gregory for the last year and a half. He has ambitious plans for next sea- son.
“I’m going to move up a level and head to- 48 MARCH 2015
ward triple Salchow, triple toe and triple loop,” he said.
Henry Privett-Mendoza, of the Pasadena
FSC, was fourth with 45.46 points, just four one-hundredths of a point out of third. Te 12-year-old credits his modern dance and bal- let-jazz classes for the flexible positions he shows on the ice. “It was the cleanest program I ever did, so
I’m happy about that,” he said. PAIRS
by TROY SCHWINDT Altice Sollazo and Paul Yeung put their twist
on the epic Star Wars movies, and dressed as Prin- cess Leia and Han Solo, glided their way to the juvenile pairs title on the first day of competition. Skating first in the 12-team field, the duo
from the All Year Figure Skating Club in Cali- fornia opened with successful side-by-side double flips, a Level 4 lift and Level 3 combination spin. Teir only hiccup came late in the program when Yeung fell on the team’s footwork element. Teir score of 39.12 points was short of their sectional total of 41.61, but still good enough to claim the gold medal. “Tey are a pair who reminds me of (three- time U.S. champions and two-time Olympians)
JAY JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
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