The Indie Circuit

Welcome to a blog dedicated to less popular and less decorated skaters! Send us your favorites, and we might just post about them next! Click here for a list of all entries!

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Ekaterina Ryabova, a Moscow-born skater who competes for Azerbaijan, has really caught my eye this year! She’s competing internationally for the first time this season so she’s not very well known, but she came in a respectable 6th at both of her JGP assignments, and won her very first senior B event. She’s only 15 and she has a lot of room to grow, but I see so much potential in her performances.

At the time of this submission, she’s in 7th place after the short program at 2019 Europeans, so she’s well-placed to potentially have a top 10 finish at her very first ISU championship, which is also only her sixth-ever international competition. I’ve been cheering for her all season and I’m hoping that if she finishes Euros strong more fans will discover and support her!

[beautifulstorms]

Starr Andrews + Spins:

SP Summertime, Skate Canada 2018

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Kévin Aymoz, Horns | 2018 Skate Canada

[marinhondas]

Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu 2018 Skate Canada International RD

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Julian Zhi Jie Yee 2018 Skate America SP

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Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson 2018 Skate America FD

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Mako Yamashita! She’s a junior skater from jpn who placed third at jwc this year :) she trains with the same coaches as Shoma Uno and I love that she is a very mature skater for someone so young

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Hi fs tumblr, this is a Dmitri Aliev appreciation post. I know he had a great senior debut but of all of you are still ignoring him. He is my favorite Russian male skater since Yagudin. He has great interpretation and lyricism, and skating skills. He is very charismatic and graceful (esp. his arms!!) on the ice as well. Watch: To Build a Home, Masquerade Waltz, and Broken Vow

submitted by anon

[theindiecircuit]

This is a shotout to Camden Pulkinen! He is my fave junior men's skater; he's musical, expressive, and has great flow on the ice. Watch his programs from this past season 😊

submitted by anon

[theindiecircuit]

Natalia Kaliszek/Maksym Spodyriev of Poland Their Foxtrot  from this short dance (it starts after the lift) was accepted as an official ISU Pattern Dance in 2016. We stan innovation!

They really shine in classic ballroom-style dances. Love an ice dance team that will actually DANCE!

Maksym can get a little Muppety with this head movements and facial expressions but I appreciate the commitment all the same!

[theindiecircuit]

Yuhana Yokoi (JPN)

The Japanese field is so deep (even in juniors) that sometimes some incredibly talented skaters get overlooked, which is really unfortunate because Yuhana is amazing and will only get better as she gets older.

so much sass especially from someone so tiny!

her jumps are great; I especially like her triple flip

she’s not afraid to show her personality on the ice and she really fills the rink with her performances even though she’s so small

some nice spin positions and good skating skills; some of the maturity and effortlessness in the presentation will come in time

as the music says, you definitely haven’t seen the last of her

even though I’m not a huge fan of her programs this year I really appreciate her expressiveness

I’m glad to see her getting more appreciation after a great showing at junior worlds this year :)

[theindiecircuit]

Egor is beyond this realm. No one is having more fun with their skating than Egor.

Highlights of this program include:

-Stevie Wonder face shirt

-multiple dabs

-basketball dribbles

Watching his free skate is an Experience™

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Angelique Abachkina and Louis Thauron representing France

Unfortunately they have ended their partnership but they were a really pleasant and promising team to watch and Angelique’s hair is like a fairy princess it’s amazing

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kaitlin hawayek and jean-luc baker

LET THEM RISE @ USFSA 

this free dance is literally... one of the most beautiful free dances ever

it’s literally so good

it’s so beautiful and they’re so good 

their personalities are also A+ 

their exhibition program??? also iconic

their sp from this past season kaitlin literally lifts jean luc and can we just say... ICONIC 

now that they won 4cc once i hope they Rise even more over the next quad!!! let them win things goddamnit!!!

submitted by @marinhondas​ on tumblr/nolovenoglorys on twitter

[theindiecircuit]

Chih-I Tsao (TPE) caught my attention back when he was in juniors with how well he seemed to resonate with his music.  He’s a very expressive skater, and I’ve worried for him watching him struggle with his bigger jumps, but he slowly seems to be breaking through that.  He had an outstanding skate at the 2018 Four Continents on home ice, and I really hope that is a sign of things to come for him.  He’s really enjoyable to watch for his expressiveness and his lines.

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Anastasia Kostyuk

• junior bb!! 14 yrs old. • gorgeousss skating skills. • no really. Best skating skills of any Russian lady, including seniors • great jump technique • correct edge on flip and lutz. what an icon. • spins are *heart eyes* • a bit of a head-case at times, which is why she hasn’t had her jgp debut yet :((( • also hasn’t had jgp debut yet bc she competes in the Terrifying field that is Russian Junior ladies • I’m counting on her Rising over the next couple of years • pls watch her I promise you will like her

[theindiecircuit]

Lana Petranovic and Antonio Souza-Kordeiru representing Croatia

That twist!! They have a ton of potential can’t wait to see them in future seasons!