U.S.-based Skaters Skating For Other Countries

[used2sk8]

Christopher Trefil who represented Hungary is skating pairs with Victoria Hecht. Are they going to Hungary?

[Jonas]

Joelle Forte has been removed from the USFSA's Reserve Team as she will not be representing the US. There's been some rampant speculation as to what country she'll "jump ship" to and compete for this upcoming season. My guess is the Philippines and I'd be thrilled if my conjecture is true I'd be thrilled!

Your thoughts...

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Moderator's reply: Forte prefers not to speak "on the record" at this time -- excerpt from an article published after the 2009 Liberty SP (July 17):

Forte was recently removed from U.S. Figure Skating's reserve envelope, sparking speculation that she is planning to compete for another country. The skater said she is not ready to announce her plans, beyond vowing that she is not planning to retire.

[Anothermom]

Originally posted in the 2009-10 JGP thread and reposted here:

Also noticed on the list [JGP #1 in Budapest, Hungary]: Anastasiya Kononenko for UKR, who previously competed out of North Atlantics, and Maria Leonov for AZE, who I believe is Masha Leonov, previously of South Atlantics.

Do you have a reason to think that this is Masha Leonov, other than the similarity of the name?

[Sylvia]

I can confirm that "Maria Leonov" is Masha from Florida.

[skatemom1122]

Rebecca SKOLNICK is listed [JGP in Lake Placid] under competing for Israel. She used to be a North Atlantic skater.

[Bluenote]

Once someone skates for another country does that automatically preclude them from skating at regionals?

[Sylvia]

Once someone skates for another country does that automatically preclude them from skating at regionals?

Yes, as far as I know.

I think any skater who has ever competed in the U.S. qualifying competition system is supposed to ask for a formal release from U.S. Figure Skating to represent another country, even if he/she may hold a passport from a country other than the USA.

[sk8ermom2006]

Just curious. When I looked at some of Non Qualified Competitions this season, it seemed to me some skaters represent other country in the even like Junior World, they also have local US Figure Skating Club membership. I thought you can only be one, either belongs to represting country club or USFSA local club. Am I wrong?

[Sylvia]

Christopher Trefil who represented Hungary is skating pairs with Victoria Hecht. Are they going to Hungary?

I can confirm that they were both registered for (but withdrew from) the Junior Pairs event at Silicon Valley Open last week as representing the Hungarian Skating Federation. ETA: However, nothing is for certain until they actually compete for Hungary -- they are listed on the Poland JGP pairs roster as of 8/12/09.

Joelle Forte has been removed from the USFSA's Reserve Team as she will not be representing the US. There's been some rampant speculation as to what country she'll "jump ship" to and compete for this upcoming season.

In the preliminary 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy (final Olympic qualifier) roster, Forte was listed as representing AZE (Azerbaijian) with a "TBC" (to be confirmed) next to her name. However, nothing is for certain until she actually competes there for AZE.

When I looked at some of Non Qualified Competitions this season, it seemed to me some skaters represent other country in the even like Junior World, they also have local US Figure Skating Club membership. I thought you can only be one, either belongs to represting country club or USFSA local club. Am I wrong?

Many skaters representing other countries that are based in the U.S. retain a USFS club membership when they compete in U.S. non-qualifying competitions and often compete for their U.S. clubs (they may need to belong to a U.S. club in order to skate on club ice, etc.). This is very common and has been going on for years and years.

[cubbie2008]

Is Hilary Ho skating for the U.S. or another country this year?

[skatemom1122]

Zhaira Costiniano (SW) will skate for the Philippines in the upcoming JGP Turkey.

[Sylvia]

Quite a few U.S.-based ladies are representing the Philippines now. Costiniano won the Junior Ladies title at Philippine Nationals back in June. The top 4 Senior Ladies finishers were: Mericien Venzon (formerly CP; she just competed at Nebelhorn Trophy last week but did not qualify an Olympic sport for PHI), Lauren Ko (formerly EGL who competed in the JGP in Minsk, BLR), Gracielle Tan (SWP; she has represented PHI for several seasons now), and Elizabeth Stern (NA; competed in the JGP in Lake Placid and 2009 Four Continents). Other competitors included 4 from the CP region: Mary Grace Baldo (alternate for the JGP in Turkey), Kathryn Dano, Katherine Magno and Katrina Phan.

[Sylvia]

Besides Venzon (PHI), other U.S.-based skaters at Nebelhorn Trophy who attempted to qualify an Olympic berth for their new countries included: Stephen Kuo (TPE), Chaochih Liu (TPE), Megan Williams-Stewart (PUR), Jessica Crenshaw of Crenshaw/Tsagris in pairs (GRE) and Allison Reed of Reed/Japaridze in dance (GEO). Reed/Japaridze have qualified an Olympic dance spot for GEO; TPE is the 5th Olympic alternate in ladies and 9th in men, while GRE is 3rd in pairs and PUR is the 12th in ladies.

Hecht/Trefil have competed in two JGP pair events for Hungary (in Poland and Germany); she will not be competing in the Junior Ladies event at SWP Regionals.

[Jonas]

Just curious here, but any further news (that's availabe for public discussion) on Joelle Forte after that unfortunate turn of events in September?? Obviously the Olympics are no longer an option, but does she plan on Euros and/or Worlds as a possible set up for next season?? I joked on ISU that she'd be a perfect replacement for Skate America if the reigning ladies' OSM were to withdraw. Or on the flip side, is she retired??

[Sylvia]

As far as I know, Forte has not made any public statements since Nebelhorn Trophy about her plans for the rest of this season. I assume that she is still hoping to be able to represent AZE at Europeans/Worlds.

[toadandme]

congrats to Jessica Crenshaw of Crenshaw/Tsagris skating for Greece. Bronze medal at Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Were there any other's in this comp. from US?

[Uppersgal]

Just noticed that Christopher Trefil and Victoria Hecht are representing Hungary at Europeans this week. I was browsing the ISU website: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent00011104.htm. Could they get to Olympics? My goodness!

[Anothermom]

On the list of Four Continents entries, I noticed Lauren Ko skating for the Philippines. Didn't she used to train with Shirley Hughes?