2015 U.S. International Challenge & Nebelhorn Trophy: Ladies Review + 2015 JGP Corpernicus Stars & JGPF Standings

There's always this flurry of events around this time of the season.  The ISU Challenger Series, affectionately known as "Senior B" events, have started.  I'll take a quick look at the first two events of the series and, of course, continue my coverage of the ladies at last week's JGP event...

2015 U.S. International Classic

The 2015 U.S. International Classic medalists

2015 JGP Cup of Austria: Ladies Review + Russian Test Skates (Yay!)

I always pick a bad time to go out of town.  Lots of skating and skating news happened last week, so I'm playing catch-up.  I'll take a very quick look back at JGP Cup of Austria as well as give my thoughts on the Russian test skates from last week.  Here we go!

2015 JGP Cup of Austria: Ladies Review

The final results:

2015 JGP Colorado Springs: Ladies Review

It took me a while to get to this one.  Work has a lot to do with it (busy, busy, busy) but also because this turned out to be a bit of a splatfest so I'm not really all that excited to yap about it.  For some perspective, only two skaters scored over 100 points in the FS and the top score here wouldn't have even medaled at the first two events. *sigh*  Let's get to it...

The final results:

2015 JGP Riga Cup: Ladies Review

The second event of the JGP season was full of some really great skating!

2015 JGP Bratislava: Ladies Review

YAY!! It's the first JGP event of the season!  I always love to see the fresh new faces that emerge each year on the junior level.  Needless to say there are a number of new names that caught my eye here...

The final results:

Off Season Fun 2014-2015: Favorite Free Skates

More Off Season Fun!  Now it's time to take a look back at my favorite Free Skates from last season

5. Rika Hongo - "Carmen"

2015 Glacier Falls: Thoughts & Impressions

One of the major summer competitions took place over the weekend: Glacier Falls.  It's a chance to see early/rough cuts of skaters' programs and get an idea of where they are in terms of their summer training.  We got a good look at a number of the top U.S. ladies at this event and, from what I saw, there are some promising programs to look forward to in October.

Gracie Gold: 202.54 (1st)

Gracie won this event...and she won it in a pretty convincing fashion which is not usually the case for her, especially this early in the summer.  I'm a huge critic when it comes to Gracie so for her to turn in such strong performances in August has me thinking she may be on the right path this season.