Category: Mens

Roman Sadovsky: “I’m proud that I finished the season well”

On By Claire CloutierIn Interviews, Mens, Uncategorized2 Comments

For 22-year-old Roman Sadovsky of Canada, the Olympic season was one of peaks and valleys. The peaks included qualifying a second men’s Olympic spot at Nebelhorn Trophy in September and placing fourth at Rostelecom Cup in November. Unfortunately, the low point came at the Olympic Games in Beijing, where Sadovsky struggled and placed 29th in the individual men’s event, failing to make the long program. How satisfying, then, for Sadovsky to rebound at the 2022 ISU World Championships in Montpellier, France, where he recorded his highest placement so far  at a major ISU championship (12th). 

I talked with Sadovsky and his longtime coach, Tracy Wainman, in the mixed zone at Worlds to get their reactions to his performances in Montpellier. The duo also spoke about the war in Ukraine and how it’s affected Sadovsky, whose parents both emigrated to Canada from Ukraine.

Continue reading “Roman Sadovsky: “I’m proud that I finished the season well”” →

“Everything he does is extreme”: Keegan Messing

On By Claire CloutierIn Mens, Uncategorized1 Comment

Last week, Keegan Messing competed in his fourth ISU World Championships in Montpellier, France. Messing’s 14th-place finish in Montpellier was well off his career-best 6th place at 2021 Worlds in Stockholm last year. However, the Canadian skater was unfazed.

“It’s always a pleasure to represent [Canada],” Messing said after the free skate. “And it’s always a pleasure to come out at Worlds and just be here.”

Continue reading ““Everything he does is extreme”: Keegan Messing” →

Roman Sadovsky: Figure Skater & YouTuber

On By Claire CloutierIn Interviews, MensLeave a comment

The Grand Prix season always seems to bring its share of new stars and surprises. Roman Sadovsky was a bit of both in November, when he unexpectedly won bronze at NHK Trophy. 

Not many picked the 20-year-old Canadian skater to medal at NHK, which featured an impressive field of men’s competitors, including two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu. But Sadovsky seized the moment in Sapporo, impressing judges and fans with his sweeping quad Salchow jumps and elegant programs. His medal was a bit of a surprise; yet, it was something he’d been building toward for several years.

Continue reading “Roman Sadovsky: Figure Skater & YouTuber” →

Interview with Alexander Johnson (2019)

On By Claire CloutierIn Interviews, Mens3 Comments

Alexander Johnson is starting a new chapter in his life this spring. After a 9-year career at the senior international level, which featured two top 6 finishes at U.S. Nationals and a Challenger Series medal, Johnson is shifting focus from competitive skating to his first full-time professional job in finance and a budding side career in figure skating choreography and coaching. Johnson hasn’t closed the door on a possible return to competitive skating; but for now, his priority is exploring these new opportunities.

I recently had a chance to chat with Johnson before his appearance in Ice Crystals, the annual club show for the Colonial Figure Skating Club in Acton/Boxborough, MA. Johnson spent several weeks at Colonial this spring, teaching and choreographing for Colonial skaters and working with different coaches, including 1980 Olympian Sheryl Franks and 1992 Olympian Konstantin Kostin. During our chat, Johnson shared some thoughts on his work at Colonial, his approach to choreography, and his programs for Ice Crystals.

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Remembering Denis Ten 1993-2018

On By Claire CloutierIn Mens, Opinion, Uncategorized5 Comments

A couple days ago, I was reminded again of all that we lost on July 19, when Denis Ten was killed in Kazakhstan.

Russian skater Sergei Voronov announced that Denis had choreographed his new short program. Usually I love it when gifted skaters try their hand at choreography; it’s wonderful to think of their artistry carrying on, even after they’re no longer skating. But this …. To know that Denis Ten’s first year as a choreographer was also his last, just left me with an ache inside. Continue reading “Remembering Denis Ten 1993-2018” →

Colonial Open 2018: Report

On By Claire CloutierIn Ladies, MensLeave a comment

This past weekend, I went to Colonial Open in Boxborough, MA. Colonial Open is one of the first club competitions of the season in New England, and it’s only about an hour from my house, so it’s fun to go and see some early-season skating.

Colonial Open typically attracts a fairly strong field of skaters from the Boston/New York metropolitan areas. The competition includes singles skating only (no pairs or dance). This year, I saw the Novice Men, Junior Ladies, and Senior Ladies events at Colonial, plus some bits of Intermediate and Junior Men. Of these divisions, Junior Ladies had the most competitive field, so I’ll cover that one first. Note: I tried to keep track of the skaters’ jump elements, but there may be a few errors; my apologies if so!   Continue reading “Colonial Open 2018: Report” →

Nathan Chen Prepares for Skate America

On By Claire CloutierIn MensLeave a comment

Later this week, U.S. champion Nathan Chen will seek to win his second Grand Prix event of the season at Skate America. Prior to the competition, he took some time to chat with the media. Chen discussed his work with his new choreographers, his costumes for the season, and his progress with college applications. Check out my article about Nathan Chen for Figure Skaters Online!

Nathan

http://figureskatersonline.com/news/2017/11/21/nathan-chen-seeks-to-win-his-second-grand-prix-at-skate-america-this-weekend/

U.S. Classic 2017: Highlights from Ladies, Men, Ice Dance & Pairs

On By Claire CloutierIn Ice Dance, Ladies, Mens, Opinion, PairsLeave a comment

I had a great time last weekend attending the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in Salt Lake City! I covered the event for Figure Skaters Online. It was my first time going to U.S. Classic, and my first time attending any Challenger Series event.  Continue reading “U.S. Classic 2017: Highlights from Ladies, Men, Ice Dance & Pairs” →