Spotlight on Bratislava: U.S. Stars Gear Up for the 2025 Nepela Memorial Thriller

© YouTube/ Starr Andrews

As the chill of autumn settles over Europe, the ice in Bratislava is heating up for one of figure skating’s most storied early-season showdowns. The 33rd Nepela Memorial, kicking off today (September 26, 2025), isn’t just another competition—it’s a pivotal stop on the ISU Challenger Series where dreams are forged and rankings are carved in frost. Eight talented members of the U.S. National Team are lacing up their skates to represent the Stars and Stripes in women’s singles, men’s singles, and ice dance at the iconic Ondrej Nepela Arena. With the Olympic cycle in full swing and the 2026 Milano Cortina Games on the horizon, this event is a launchpad for rising stars hungry for international points and podium glory.

Named after the legendary Slovak skater Ondrej Nepela—1972 Olympic gold medalist, three-time world champion, and five-time European champ—this memorial honors a pioneer who redefined elegance on ice. Since its inception in 1993, the Nepela Memorial has grown into a Challenger Series staple, drawing elite talent from around the globe. This year’s edition, the sixth of 11 stops in the 2025-26 series, runs through September 28 and focuses solely on three disciplines: women’s and men’s singles, plus ice dance. No pairs or synchronized skating here, keeping the spotlight laser-focused on individual artistry and athleticism.

The Challenger Series: Your Ticket to the Big Leagues

For the uninitiated, the ISU Challenger Series is figure skating’s proving ground—a circuit of senior-level internationals designed to sharpen skills, rack up crucial ISU World Standing points, and prep athletes for the high-stakes Grand Prix and World Championships. Launched in 2014-15, this season’s lineup spans August to December, with stops from Finland’s Lombardia Trophy to Japan’s NHK Trophy feeder events. U.S. skaters are slated to hit all 11, making the Nepela a key early benchmark.

Why does it matter? Points earned here boost seeding for Grand Prix assignments and Worlds, while the competitive edge hones programs under pressure. Prize money—up to $3,000 for gold medalists—sweetens the deal, but it’s the momentum that counts. As one U.S. coach noted in a recent ISU briefing, “Challenger events are where you test your jumps, refine your spins, and steal the show before the world’s watching.” With age eligibility bumped to 17 by July 1, 2025, this series is a hotbed for fresh faces blending with veterans.

The Schedule: A Whirlwind of Spins and Edges

All eyes are on the Ondrej Nepela Arena (local time, UTC+2), where the action unfolds over three packed days. Here’s the breakdown:

• Friday, September 26:
  • 1:35 p.m.: Women’s Short Program (2:45 minutes max, showcasing technical prowess with jumps, spins, and a flying spin)
  • 5:30 p.m.: Ice Dance Rhythm Dance (2:50 minutes, grooving to required patterns like twizzles and lifts)
  • 7:50 p.m.: Men’s Short Program (2:40 minutes, packing in an Axel, spins, and footwork)
• Saturday, September 27:
  • 10:20 a.m.: Women’s Free Skate (4 minutes max, seven jumps including an Axel, three spins, step sequence, and choreo sequence)
  • 3:20 p.m.: Ice Dance Free Dance (4 minutes, featuring lifts, spins, twizzles, and creative elements)
  • 6:00 p.m.: Men’s Free Skate (4:30 minutes, mirroring women’s demands with added quad potential)

Scoring follows the ISU’s tried-and-true system: base values for elements plus execution marks from -5 to +5. Medals go to the highest combined totals, with ties broken by the free segment.

Fun Fact: Ondrej Nepela’s legacy lives on— the arena named for him hosted the 2011 World Championships, where American Alissa Czisny snagged gold. Talk about full-circle inspiration!

Meet the U.S. Contingent: Stars on the Rise

Leading the charge are eight National Team athletes, each bringing fire to the ice. Here’s a deeper dive into their journeys, recent highs, and what to watch for:

Women’s Singles: Grace, Guts, and Glides

• Starr Andrews (born 2001, Los Angeles): The queen of charisma, Andrews went viral at age nine with her “Whip My Hair” routine. A 2023 U.S. pewter medalist and 2022 Skate Canada silver winner, she trains under Derrick Delmore. Recent: 4th at 2023 Nationals, 2nd at 2023 Coupe de Printemps. Her short program? A sultry “Fever” by Beyoncé. Expect explosive triples and that signature smile— she’s chasing Grand Prix podiums after a breakout junior silver in 2017.
• Elyce Lin-Gracey (born 2007, Arcadia, CA): At 18, this phenom is already a force, mentored by Olympic ties—her early coach was Mirai Nagasu. She’s the 2025 World Junior bronze medalist, 2024 CS Nebelhorn gold winner (edging Isabeau Levito!), and 2023 JGP Armenia silverist. Recent: 8th at 2025 U.S. Nationals, 6th at Skate America. Fresh off a leg injury recovery, her free skate to dramatic strings could land quads. Pro tip: Watch her eight-triple Olympic-inspired lineage shine.
• Ava Ziegler (born 2006, Morristown, NJ): Daughter of a 1995 U.S. Championships 5th-place finisher, Ziegler’s ascent is pure poetry. She’s the 2023 NHK Trophy champ (first U.S. woman to win in nine years) and 2022 Budapest Trophy gold medalist. Recent: 9th at 2023 Nationals, 4th at 2022 Skate Canada. Her free skate’s seven triples set records—expect edge work that mesmerizes, as she eyes Four Continents glory.

Men’s Singles: Power and Precision

• Jacob Sanchez (born 2007, New York): Puerto Rican heritage meets hockey roots—this 18-year-old Diversify Ice ambassador started on figure skates by accident. He’s the 2024 CS Tallinn Trophy champ, 2024-25 JGP Final winner (sweeping Turkey and Slovenia golds), and Youth Olympic team silverist. Recent: U.S. junior silver (2023), focusing on “one jump at a time.” His quads and artistry? A cocktail of speed and soul—watch for his 2024 nationals debut vibes translating internationally.

Ice Dance: Rhythm, Romance, and Razzle-Dazzle

• Caroline Green / Michael Parsons (formed 2019, ages 21/29): Siblings in spirit (Parsons won 2017 Worlds junior with sister Rachel), this duo trains at Michigan Ice Dance Academy under Charlie White and Tanith Belbin. They’re 2022 Four Continents champs, two-time GP medalists, and five-time U.S. medalists. Recent: 5th at 2023 Worlds, gold at 2022 CS U.S. Classic. Their rhythm dance? Disco fire. With seamless lifts and twizzles, they’re podium predators.
• Katarina Wolfkostin / Dimitry Tsarevski (formed 2023, ages 20/22): The junior dynamos who went senior-ready, training in Michigan post-Tsarevski’s Colorado move. They’re 2025 World Junior silver medalists, 2024-25 JGP Final silvers, and 2024 U.S. junior champs. Recent: Gold at JGP Poland/Czechia, but a senior Tallinn withdrawal due to injury. Their Moulin Rouge free dance? Theatrical magic. After Wolfkostin’s leg fracture recovery, expect resilient flair.

Intriguing Insight: These teams highlight U.S. diversity—Andrews and Sanchez as trailblazers for underrepresented voices—proving the sport’s evolving inclusivity.

Beyond the Ice: What Nepela Means for 2026 Dreams

This isn’t just about medals—it’s momentum. Strong showings here could lock Grand Prix berths and Worlds spots, fueling the U.S. quest for Olympic hardware. As Bratislava buzzes with Nepela’s spirit, these eight athletes aren’t just competing; they’re scripting the next chapter of American skating dominance. Who will steal the show? Tune in, cheer loud, and let the blades fly. The ice awaits.

Source: article on figure skating.org, published September 25, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer