2021 U.S. Open: A Successful Competition!

from July/August 2021 PS Magazine

PSA Grievance Process

In a year filled with much emotion and loss for so many, it was very important to the Professional Skaters Foundation to host the 2021 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships this year, even if in a virtual format. We wanted to give the skating community an outlet for their creativity and something to look forward to.

Back on May 4th, we convened the panel of judges and our Masters of Ceremonies to record the U.S. Open which was then stitched together by Tim Johnson of 828 Studios for the live stream event on May 23rd . The competition saw familiar faces like Sarah France, who has competed in the U.S. Open since it was revived back in 2015 in Bloomington, MN, as well as several brand new U.S. Open competitors. TheFoundation is indebted to each competitor who showed their collective passion and energy in their programs this year. The skating has never been better!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Award Recipients

Grand Champion Award: Alissa Czisny

Creative Visionary Award: Harmony Ensemble – Piercyn Hunt, Paige Bartholomew, Alyssa Kormos, Ashlyn Olson, Ashlee Pantano

The Skaters’ Skater Award: Kseniya Ponomaryova & Collin Brubaker

The Ground Breaker Award: Maria Starr & Sarah Santee

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A heartfelt thank you to the entire committee of dedicated volunteers who ensured the 2021 U.S. Open could be held this year. Jamie Santee, Barb Yackel, Kelley Morris Adair, and Carol Murphy put hours of time and energy into the success of the event and all of them deserve a big thank you. The amount of work that goes in to both live and virtual events is enormous, and it takes a village to pull things off. A special thanks to Amanda Taylor for the terrific virtual program that accompanied the live stream event.

Events like the U.S. Open cannot work without faithful and generous donors. FMC Ice Sports was a Silver Sponsor again this year and our Pewter Sponsors included the Skating Council of Illinois, Detroit Metro Council, Nathan Birch and the Next Ice Age, Tri-State Council of Michigan, ISI District 1 (Scott McCoy and Alane Swiderski) and Debbie and Gerry Lane.

Jackson Ultima provided each competitor with pair of skate guards and we appreciate the support and generosity. The PS Foundation is humbled by the fact that each of you gives so graciously and we are deeply appreciative to each of you.

A big thank you to our esteemed panel of judges and our Masters of Ceremonies for generously giving their time, talents and feedback to our skaters. Sarah Kawhara and her daughter, Hayley Kiyoko, Frank Carroll, Evelyn Kramer, Doug Webster, Phillip and Michelle Mills, Amanda Evora Will and Mark Ladwig rounded out our judging panel with Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker as the emcees. The interaction between and among the group was electrifying!