2014 Skate America: Strong international challenge to face best Americans.

This after Olympic season 2014-15 marks the 20^th anniversary of the ISU Grand Prix Series of Figure Skating, which kicks off with the first event, 2014 Hilton HHonors Skate America, taking place on October 24-26 in Chicago, USA. Check out the official event web site 2014 Hilton HHonors Skate America here http://www.2014skateamerica.com/ . The competition will feature many international and all American top skaters in each discipline: 55 athletes from 19 countries have been invited to compete in Chicago.  One of the main contenders in ladies´ event will be definitely Elizaveta Tyktamysheva (RUS), who won “Nebelhorn Trophy”, “Finlandia Trophy” and “Cup of Nice” earlier this season.  Gracie Gold, 2014 U.S. champion, which trained for several years in Springfield near Chicago is getting to skate in front of home crowd and is the strongest U.S. lady in the deep field.  A two-time junior world champion Elena Radionova (RUS), the 2014 U.S. bronze medalist Mirai Nagasu, who made this summer coach change to T. Zacrajsek, have a good chance to medal.  Another Chicago native, the 19-year-old 2014 U.S. silver medalist and the winner of 2014 “Nebelhorn Trophy”, Jason Brown is aiming to show his best skating. His teammate, four-time U.S. champion, the 29-year-old Jeremy Abbott is the most experienced skater in the field.  Olympic bronze medalist Denis Ten (KAZ) and 2014 world silver medalist Tatsuki Machida (JPN) can dominate men´s event. The 15-year-old junior world champion Nam Nguen from Canada coached by B. Orser will make his international senior debut. This talented guy is doubtless to keep an eye on in the future. In pairs 2010 European champions Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov (RUS), who made a successful comeback at “Nebelhorn Trophy” in September 2014, and the Chinese couple Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang, 4^th at 2013 ISU Grand Prix Finale, are clear favorites to secure the title. Among the competitors is a strong American pair Alexa Scimeca/Chris Kniriem, the winner of 2014 U.S. International Classic in Salt Lake City.  In ice dance competition the field will be led by top two American teams: Olympic team members Madison Chock/Evan Bates and Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani, who finished respectively second and first at “Nebelhorn Trophy” and “Nepela Trophy” with very similar scores.  After Olympic champions Meryl Davis/Charlie White decided to sit out this season, both couples will be aspiring to the position of the new leaders. The biggest challenge can come from the young Russian dance couple Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin. The 2013 junior world champions gave solid routines taking gold medal at “Finlandia Trophy” two weeks ago.