Team USA will send 12 athletes to compete at 2019 Skate Canada International this week in Kelowna, British Columbia. The event is the second stop on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The competition kicks off on Friday, Oct. 25 with the ladies, men's and pairs short programs as well as the rhythm dance, and ends on Saturday, Oct. 26 with the free skates and free dance. Official practice will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24.
In the ladies competition, Bradie Tennell returns to Grand Prix ice for the second straight week. The 2018 U.S. ladies champion captured the silver medal at 2019 Skate America presented by American Cruise Lines in Las Vegas and will look to secure her spot in the Grand Prix Final in Torino, Italy.
Camden Pulkinen will make his Grand Prix debut at Skate Canada International. The 2018 U.S. junior champion opened his season in Canada, finishing fifth at Autumn Classic International.
The United States will send two pairs teams to Canada this week. Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson are also coming off a strong finish at 2019 Skate America, finishing fourth at their Grand Prix debut in Las Vegas. Alexa Knierim and Chris Knierim will also represent Team USA in Kelowna, coming off a second-place finish at Nebelhorn Trophy last month.
Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue will headline the U.S. ice dance contingent in Canada. The duo won their second consecutive Skate America title last week, and will look to defend their 2018 Skate Canada International title and punch their ticket to their fifth straight Grand Prix Final. Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker open their Grand Prix season in Kelowna fresh off winning a silver medal at Nebelhorn Trophy. Finally, Caroline Green and Michael Parsons will continue their debut Grand Prix season in Canada after finishing seventh in Las Vegas.
Fans can watch the entire event live, commercial-free and on-demand with the Figure Skating Pass on NBC Sports Gold. Fan can also watch NBC's recap show on Sunday, Oct. 27Â from 4:30-6 p.m. ET.
The Grand Prix Series, now in its 25th 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 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, set for Dec. 5-8, in Torino, Italy.
