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POSTCARD FROM SPOKANE WA
2003 SMART ONES SKATE AMERICA INT'L

Spokane, Washington hosted the Smart Ones Skate America International, first of the six event ISU Grand Prix series of figure skating. Skaters from15 countries including the United States gathered at Spokane Arena for the 4 day event. The local organizing committee (LOC) is to be commended on how they had promoted the event throughout the city with banners, posters, newspaper and local television coverage. The spectator friendly FanFest was held at the Davenport Hotel. Local and out of town guests could get autographs from their favorite skaters, sample wine and apples from the local region, listen to music from the local high school band, and bid on a silent auction of Olympic and USFSA memorabilia. The newly restored Davenport Hotel official hotel for the event provided a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere before and after skating for skating fans to congregate and discuss the competition.

A new judging system took place, as one scoreboard displayed the 10 marks in ascending order. These scores were only announced from marks ranging from low to high. This system has not been received favorably by skaters and coaches and it certainly makes it more difficult for the average spectator to understand which judge gave a particular mark.

Since it has been a long competitive season, skaters have been experiencing more injuries as evident by withdrawals in the early Grand Prix Events. Michelle Kwan graciously competed in place of injured Olympic Ladies' Champion Sarah Hughes as she claimed her 6th Skate America Ladies title. Ann Patrice McDonough also from the US received her first Grand Prix Silver Medal. Elena Liashenko from the Ukraine took the bronze and Jennnifer Kirk came in fourth place. After Alexei Yagudin's withdrawal from the men's long program, Brian Joubert from France won the men's event, with Alexander Abt from Russia in second place. Matthew Savoie from the US claimed the Bronze Medal while US skaters Michael Weiss and Derrick Delmore came in 5th and 8th place respectfully.

The pairs title was open with Tatiana Totmainina and Maxim Marinin (RUS) claiming their first Gold Medal. Canadians Anabelle Langlois and Patrice Archetto won their first Grand Prix Silver Medal while Qing Pang and Jian Tong from China claimed the Bronze Medal. US skaters Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn, Kathryn Orscher and Garrett Lucash, and Kristen Roth and Michael McPherson came in 6th, 7th, and 9th respectfully.

The ice dance event showcased the talents of Elena Grushina and Ruslan Goncharov from the Ukraine who won their first Grand Prix event. Russians Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov came in second with Americans Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto winning their first Skate America Bronze Medal. Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, Emilie Nussear and Matthew Gates of the US came in 5th and 7th.

Spokane should be proud, as it has the distinction of the highest attendance of a Skate America event ever. With the first Grand Prix Event over, we will look forward to the next event, MasterCard Skate Canada International to be held in Quebec City, Canada. 2003 Skate America International will be held in Reading, PA, October 24-27, 2003.

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