Eight Americans will compete at 2018 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth event of the 2018 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Nov. 16-18, in Moscow.
Competition will begin on Friday, Nov. 16 with the short programs/rhythm dance and conclude with the free skates/dance on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Figure Skating Pass on NBC Sports Gold will stream the competition live to subscribers beginning at 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 16. NBC will air a recap of the competition at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 18. Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA will present encore coverage this Grand Prix season, Monday-Thursday following the event's conclusion.
Gracie Gold makes her return to the Grand Prix circuit in Moscow. Gold, who took last season off, is a six-time Grand Prix medalist.
In the men's field,
Alex Krasnozhon will represent the United States. Krasnozhon finished seventh in his Grand Prix debut in Helsinki two weeks ago.
The pairs tandem of
Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc seek their second Grand Prix medal after earning bronze at Skate America in October. The pair has been training in Moscow in the lead up to competition.
Deanna Stellato and Nathan Bartholomay will take the ice after finishing sixth in Helsinki.
Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko will make their second senior Grand Prix appearance in Moscow after finishing fifth in Finland earlier this season.
The Grand Prix Series, now in its 24th season, consists of six international events in a cumulative point-scoring format. Approximately 300 athletes from 30 countries are expected to participate in the series. Each athlete is eligible to score points in up to two of the six scheduled events. The top six point-earners in each discipline qualify for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, set for Dec. 6-9, in Vancouver.
In Austria, five athletes will compete at the 2018 Alpen Trophy, the eighth Challenger Series event of the season.
Ashley Lin will compete in the ladies competition.
Camden Pulkinen and
Tomoki Hiwatashi, who will both compete at the Junior Grand Prix Final in December, will compete in the men's field.
Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter, who won their first Grand Prix medal in Helsinki, will compete in ice dance.
