International Challenge Cup 2012, March 8-11, The Hague, NL

Just saw the skaters list.... and OMG!

http://www.schaatsen.nl/Upload/attachments/challenge-cup-2012/Challenge%20Cup%202012%20-%20Entries.pdf

Can't believe it

Jeremy Abbott, USA

I'm speechless. And will be very very happy if he indeed skates there.


Ryuichi Kihara will represent Japan as a senior single man. Brian Joubert and Florent Amodio are another two top skaters on the entries list.

Hello hsuhs

I'm impressed what you found out :-)))

And you could be going, couldn't you? Great :-)))))

Cheers
Gudrun.

By the way, why the pig???? :-)))))))))))))

Hi Gudrun!

Yes, I'm thinking about going

However, I know from my past experience with this competition, the entries tend to change a lot in the process. So many people WD.

The pig is there because of Jeremy's (and his fan club) 'Pigs can fly' motto

Hello hsuhs

You are so lucky it's so close by :-))) I'm happy for you :-)

How come that entries tend to change? Don't the skaters take it seriously enough? It's quite close the the Worlds, though, isn't it? Perhaps that's the reason ...

I didn't know about Jeremy's pig's motto :-)))

Cheers
Gudrun.

Hi Gudrun and all

Well, it's not exactly in my backyard, it will take me a couple hrs to get there, but ah I'm willing to do it. I think.

It's one of those competitions where the skaters won't earn any ISU rating points, so the incentives are limited, I believe. It rather gives them an opportunity to skate their programs in front of the judges & audience one more time before Worlds.

I remember 3 years ago Joubert was on the entries list, but then wd. I got to see Kevin van der Perren and Yannick Ponsero though.

The rink is small and homey, the audience is relaxed and friendly and would clap to a successful 3T All in all, it's nice and is worth those 5 euros ticket price (per day per person?)

Hi there

It would be funny if it was in your backyard, though :-)) No, I see what you mean ... If I had more time on my hand I'd do it, too. Some hours on the train and I'd be there as well (I was once in The Hague before some years ago), but alas ...

Ah, thank you for explaining. Perhaps no one will withdraw this time! I cross my fingers for you that you are going to see those who said they'd come!

If you go, please let us know how it was, what you experienced ... it's always good to have some news from the figure skating world :-)))

Does anyone know when Dai-chan will make his trip to Lyon? Or has he already travelled there?

Cheers
Gudrun.

Few pics from the competition (will add more later):

https://picasaweb.google.com/101147884682179981995

Hello hsuhs

Thank you sooo much :-))))

So you went to watch - lovely! And Jeremy also participated - lucky you :-)) And Brian :-))) It's fun to look at the photographs!

Cheers
Gudrun.

Thanks for the photos. I have read that Carolina Kostner skated fabulously, great photos of her and the other skaters.

Hi Gudrun and Shyla and all you're welcome.

Yes, as you already know, Brian Joubert won, Jeremy got silver.

Carolina Kostner skated very well indeed. She simply projected confidence & skated like a boss. I'm not a fan, but I was impressed. If she skates like that at Worlds....

The official YT videos aren't of great quality

https://www.youtube.com/user/challengecup2012

I was happy to see Jeremy's both programs for the first time this season. They look different live.

Quote :

I was happy to see Jeremy's both programs for the first time this season. They look different live.

Good for you,hsuhs.

Quote :

If she skates like that at Worlds....

Yep, i think that it is best and last chance Carolina to win a title at Worlds.

At technically weak Sr.ladies field, her solid 3-3 combo(actually not difficult combo ) is really huge.

fosse wrote:

At technically weak Sr.ladies field, her solid 3-3 combo(actually not difficult combo ) is really huge.

Well, speaking of a weak ladies field, in my opinion, Carolina's skating deserves a world title 100X more than, say, Kimmie Meissner's (2006 World champion)

Having two good solid 3Fs in free program does wonders to one's TES.

Yes, Carolina was great, in top form, with an excellent performance, even if without 3Lz (live is much better), but I'm worried about her nerves at Worlds.
Osan