Most years, Skate America is the first Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition rather than the last. But the order is different this year because Russia, which will host its own national competition in mid-December and the European Championships a few weeks later, apparently didn’t want to host a third international skating competition in November.
But first, last or wherever, Skate America is special to me, because I’ve attended it twice with my skating friends and it’s such an amazing experience to watch top skaters, live. The power, beauty and speed of this sport is awe-inspiring. If you’re not a skating fan before you go, you’ll be one afterward.
In Shining Through, 23-year-old Tabitha is feeling the pressure of being the aging veteran with determined teenage rivals nipping at her blades. While the sport is dominated by young skaters, this year’s Skate America offered a lights-out performance by a skater who proves that age is just a number.
German pair skater Aliona Savchencko, age 33, and her partner Bruno Massot age 28, turned in a spectacular free skate that earned them the pairs gold medal.
Aliona’s competitive career began in the late 1990s. She is a five time pairs world champion and has skated in four Winter Olympics, winning bronze in 2010 and 2014. With her current partner Massot, now officially a German citizen and eligible to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics, chances are Aliona will make her fifth trip to the Games come February.
Enjoy this beautiful long program from Savchenko and Massot.
Other Skate America winners included American Nathan Chen (men’s), Satoko Miyahara (ladies) representing Japan, and US ice dance team Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani.
Next up are the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships, in Nagoya, Japan Dec. 7- 10. Catch it on the Olympic Channel Dec. 8 and 9, and on NBC Dec. 10. Check local listing for broadcast times.
Want to win a digital copy of Shining Through, PLUS a $25 Amazon Gift Card? Enter to win my giveaway at Night Owl Romance going on this month!
Prefer to read it in print? Purchase your copy here: Amazon | B&N | iTunes Books | Kobo | Google Play Books | Goodreads
And come back next week for more Romance of Figure Skating!
Elizabeth Harmon, Romance Author 