Ice Dance - Blossom on Ice*

November 6, 2019September 19, 2024

Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker: “It’s not fun to be competitive in a negative way”

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues this Friday with the Shiseido Cup of China. The 2018 Four Continents champions, 2018 NHK Trophy champions, and 2019 U.S. national bronze medalists Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker are among the competing skaters.

They talk about their programs, their ultimate goals for this season, tough competition, and more.

Last season, you struggled a lot with injuries. Is everything OK now?

Jean-Luc:

Everything’s okay. I had a concussion at the beginning of last season, which held on to me for quite a while, pretty much through until the end of Worlds. But the recovery process was really good, and my team, including Kaitlin, the coaches, and U.S. Figure Skating, were extremely supportive in every step.

October 17, 2019September 19, 2024

Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko: “Look forward to Skate America. When they announce us and everyone is yelling, it’s so great”

2019 Skate America is the first event in the 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. This year, the competition will mark the first Skate America event to be held in Las Vegas.

Two-time World Junior medalists (silver in 2018, bronze in 2017), the 2017 JGP Final silver medalists, and the 2018 U.S. national junior champions Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko will be among the competing ice dance couples.

The skaters talk about Skate America 2019, their new programs, their training schedule, and more.

You’ll be skating at Skate America in front of your home crowd. Is it easier for you, or more challenging? Do you feel any extra pressure?

Anthony:

I think it’s much easier because the whole crowd is supporting you. When they announce that we’re representing USA, everyone is yelling, it’s so great. I feel like skating in America has a lot of fun. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of good vibes.

October 14, 2019September 19, 2024

Madison Chock/Evan Bates: “We’re happy to put on a good skate and head to the Grand Prix”

U.S. ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are two-time World medalists (silver in 2015, bronze in 2016), two-time Grand Prix Final silver medalists (2014–15, 2015–16), the 2019 Four Continents champions, and the 2015 U.S. national champions. At Finlandia Trophy, which took place in Espoo last week, they placed first both in the rhythm dance and in the free dance to win the gold medal with 198,26 points.

After the free dance, Madison and Evan commented on their performance.

Are you satisfied with your performance here in Finland?

Madison:

Yes, it’s been a fun weekend. We got to compete our programs again, and we’re very happy with how the free skate went today. It felt like a very good performance, very engaged with each other and the audience, so we’re very happy to put on a good skate and head to the Grand Prix soon.