Junior National Team Travels to Turkey for Second Stop of ISU Junior Grand Prix Series
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Twelve skaters poised to represent the United States in Ankara
An exciting chapter in the figure skating world unfolds as twelve talented junior skaters gear up to represent the United States at the second stop of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, scheduled for August 27-30 in Ankara, Turkey. This prestigious event draws attention from audiences and media alike, showcasing the future stars of figure skating.
Leading the women’s event is Sophie Joline von Felten, a savvy competitor with a gold medal already this season from the Cranberry Cup International. Last year, von Felten made headlines by becoming the first U.S. woman to successfully land a quad Salchow in competition, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the sport. She will be joined by Sofia Bezkorovainaya, who makes her Junior Grand Prix debut after a stellar performance that earned her gold at the Tayside Trophy last year.
In the pairs category, the reigning U.S. junior champions, Reagan Moss and Jakub Galbavy, are back for another shot at glory after showing impressive form in previous JGP competitions. Not far behind are the dynamic duo of Sofia Jarmoc and Luke Witkowski, who clinched a silver medal at the 2025 Challenge Cup, capping off their successful season.
The men’s event will feature Lucius Kazanecki, the 2024 U.S. junior champion making a triumphant return to the circuit, along with newcomer Henry Gao, who recently debuted at the Cranberry Cup International.
Two ice dance teams from the U.S. make their marks as well. Annelise Stapert and Maxim Korotcov already earned a podium finish with a silver medal at the Lake Placid Ice Dance International, while cousins Annaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo will seek to make their international debut count after finishing ninth at the 2025 U.S. Championships.
The calls to action begin with short programs for women, men, and pairs on Thursday, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend leading up to the final day when medals will be awarded. All the figure skating excitement can be experienced live via the ISU YouTube channel.
This year’s series continues with seven international competitions, leading to the final scheduled for December 4-7 in Nagoya, Japan, where the best will compete for titles. As fans interact with this thrilling journey, the future of figure skating shines brightly on the horizon.
