A WELCOMING PARTY
By Troy Schwindt Although it was the end of a long season, it
wasn’t hard for the 42 skaters representing Team Asia, Team Europe and Team North America to feel reenergized at the inaugural KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup, April 22–24, in Spokane, Wash- ington. Just hours after landing in Spokane — aka
Skate City USA — the athletes, coaches and of- fi cials were treated to the Red Carpet Captains Party where local media and excited fans greeted this all-star roster of skaters, which included U.S., World and Olympic champions and medalists. “We are really spoiled and I think every
competition needs a red carpet before the event,” World silver medalist Ashley Wagner said. “It’s awesome.” Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic
echoed Wagner’s sentiments and looked forward to competing with skaters from Team Europe in the continental format. “It doesn’t happen very often at competitions
that we get to walk down a red carpet,” Brezina said, adding, “Skating is very individual, but I’m a team player. So even when I compete at Europe- ans or nationals or Worlds, I always try to com- pete for my team, my country.” T e party, with more than 300 people in at-
tendance, featured the much-anticipated, live an- nouncement on icenetwork of the singles match- ups and created a buzz that lasted throughout the weekend. Behind the scenes that night, members of
each team became acquainted or reacquainted with each other and bonds were forged. “It’s an honor to be on the same team as
the World champions,” Scimeca said of her and Christopher Knierim’s pairs and Team North America teammates, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada. “It’s cool to work together, kind of strategize and just feed off each other’s en- ergy and not have that competitiveness. It’s a great pair to be teamed up with.” Team captains Shizuka Arakawa (Team
(l-r) Elizabet Tursynbaeva (KAZ), Elena Radionova (RUS) and Ashley Wagner (USA) are announced as ladies head-to-head match-up group 3 at the Red Carpet Captains Party.
Asia), Christopher Dean (Team Europe) and Kristi Yamaguchi (Team North America) put a lighthearted but determined spin on the unique competition format as the singles matchups were unveiled at the end the party. In addition to the intrigue of those singles
contests, the competitions between the pairs and ice dance teams were met with equal enthusiasm. Also motivating the skaters, along with indi-
Above, team captain Christopher Dean joins emcee Rusty Kath on stage to reveal his head-to-head picks for Team Europe. Below, captained by Kristi Yamaguchi, Team North America featured a slew of World and Olympic medalists.”
vidual pride and team bragging rights, was a share of a purse worth more than $600,000, coveted medals and the Team Challenge Cup trophy. A total of 23,597 fans attended the two-
day competition and Sunday exhibition gala at Spokane Arena. A strong contingent of fans also turned out for practices each day. T e announcing team of Tanith White,
Scott Hamilton and Tracy Wolfson brought the action to a national audience on CBS on Sunday afternoon.
CBS Sports sportscaster Tracy Wolfson was on hand in Spokane, conducting sideline reports from the team boxes throughout the weekend.
Skaters feel galvanized in Spokane
20 JUNE/JULY 2016
JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
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