Aerial Figure Skating Challenge

To the skaters, coaches, officials and fans of the Aerial Figure Skating Challenge:

I am writing this post to inform you that this year‘s event will not happen. I take full responsibility for not initiating the planning soon enough to finalize the sponsorship, streaming and invitation details.

Since its inception in 2015, this event has awarded over $100,000 in prize money to developmental US skaters in order to supplement their training. Aside from the “big” names including Nathan Chen, Alyssa Liu, Vincent Zhou, Jason Brown, Mirai Nagasu, Bradie Tennell, Max Aaron, Amber Glenn, Camden Pulkinen, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Andrew Torgashev, Jimmy Ma, Alexey Krasnozhon and Paige Rydberg, who have either won the event or participated, many other skaters have competed in it over the last seven years. Celebrity judges have included Michael Weiss, Kimmie Meissner, Kitty Carruthers, Jill Trenary, Todd Eldredge, Elaine Zayak, Paul Wylie, Rachael Flatt, Frank Carroll and Carol Heiss.

The event, originally my brain child, continues to be my pet project and has grown considerably in different ways since my meeting with David Raith and then President Sam Auxier over breakfast at the US Championships in 2015. With the help of Audrey Weisiger and Mitch Moyer as well as many staff members at US Figure Skating, the event has had many formats including virtual, pair teams at Champs Camp, back flippers and a team event which kicked off the 2018 Olympic season but it ALWAYS has been about the skaters having fun, jumping for the audience to their favorite pop songs, and risking technical jumping skills in a low key competition in order to get experience for major competitions.

I am happy to report that Edea from Skates US was very interested in continuing their sponsorship this year. I even considered moving the event from the Broadmoor Open to another competition and I’m quite confident that will happen in the future. Next year’s event will feature two new distinct rounds that will add to the creativity and drama of the competition.

In the meantime, if you would like to make a donation to the Aerial Figure Skating Challenge Go Fund Me page you can click on the link below. Please know that 100% of the sponsorship money over the last seven years has gone entirely to the skaters. The prize money has always been distributed through the Broadmoor Skating Club. The event never makes a profit and any left over money is kept in the AFSC account and applied toward the following year’s prize money purse.

Please check out the event on Facebook and YouTube. I look forward to a reset for the event in 2023!

Tom Zakrajsek

Go Fund Me:

Aerial Figure Skating Challenge, organized by Tom Zakrajsek Hi, my name is Tom Zakrajsek and I am fundraising for the 2023 Aerial Figure Skating Ch… Tom Zakrajsek needs your support for Aerial Figure Skating Challenge

The women and men’s winners of the 7th annual from with Dave Ripp, president of and the sponsor of our event. and each won $1,000 in prize money. This event is made possible through a sanction by and their officials who judged and called the event as well as the many volunteers of the Broadmoor Skating Club and Skate Great Enterprises. Thank you to all of the skaters who participated.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barb Bradley
Email: [email protected]

2019 World Bronze Medalist Vincent Zhou Headlines Jump Event

7th Annual Aerial Figure Skating Challenge

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (June 24, 2021) – The 2021 EDEA from Skates US Aerial Figure Skating Challenge, an innovative jumping contest will be offered “live” in person as an event this year as part of the Broadmoor Open and open to all skaters who have a desire to enter and can complete the required skills.

Developed by Olympic coach Tom Zakrajsek, this fast-paced event was created in 2015 to inject a modern edge of daredevil athleticism to the sport of figure skating with skaters being scored on a scale of six to ten points.

This year’s event will again be sponsored by Edea from Skates US. “We feel it is important for skaters to perform and be recognized,” says David Ripp, President and owner of Skates US. “At Skates US we want to continue to encourage all skaters to learn, grow, develop, and move forward.”

Last year the AFSC was a virtual event but this year the event returns as part of the Broadmoor Open. “The Broadmoor Skating Club is proud and honored to host the Aerial Figure Skating Challenge again as part of the Broadmoor Open. We fully support this unique format for athletes to extend themselves and reach out to new levels of excellence,” says David Hamula, President. The event will be held Thursday, July 1, 2021 and streamed live. For more information about the event, including requirements, streaming schedule and entry information go to www.broadmoorskatingclub.com.

This event is sanctioned by US Figure Skating and made possible by EDEA from Skates US, Skate Great Enterprises and the Broadmoor Skating Club.

A special shout-out to all of the Elite International Athletes who participated last night in the 2020 Edea from Skates US Virtual Aerial Figure Skating Challenge! If you missed last night’s events, you can rewatch the action on the SkatesUS channel on YouTube!

Congratulations to all of the skaters who participated in this year’s Edea from Skates US Virtual Aerial Figure Skating Challenge! The top three clubs and universities will receive prize money awards for their wonderful team effort within the event. 🎉

🚨2 Hours Away!!🚨 Don’t miss the Elite International Athletes competing in the 2020 Edea from Skates US Virtual Aerial Figure Skating Challenge! Tune in at 7pm CT on the Skates US YouTube channel! .carroll.121

We’re ready, are you?!? Tomorrow night, 7pm CT... triples, quads and combos you’ve never imagined! Join us on the Skates US YouTube channel along with a packed celebrity crew to judge this year’s Elite International Athlete event! .carroll.121

All three are in the running... who will take the prize of having the highest jump?!? You’ll have to tune in Friday night to check it out! 🔥

We’re so excited for our final viewing party as the Elite International Athletes compete for the podium and prize money! We would like to introduce you to our celebrity judge panel for the event... 🔥🔥🔥 Catch all the action this Friday night at 7pm CT on the Skates US YouTube channel! .carroll.121

🚨🚨🚨TODAY🚨🚨🚨
The registration and video submission deadline is today for the Elite International Athlete category! Check out the event details at www.sharp4sports.com/challenge! Our incredible panel of celebrity judges (Weisiger, Heiss, Carroll, Boitano and Hamilton) can’t wait to see those triples and quads! .carroll.121