IFS senior and photo editor Susan D. Russell was in Goyang City, in the Republic of Korea for the Grand Prix Final and the Junior Grand Prix Final (for the first time both the senior and junior events were being contested at one venue).

Some of the highlights included:

• Mao Asada of Japan and Jeremy Abbott each claimed a gold medal at the prestigious competition.
• A busy day at the competition included the seniors' first day of competition and the first junior medals being awarded.
• The early days of the event showcased the juniors in action while the seniors prepared for the event with practice sessions. Check out our exclusive collages.
• After Day 1 in Goyang City, two junior American entries glided into the lead in their events.

In the coming week, we will continue to provide exclusive coverage with a photographic look at the event. Check our website often.

Joannie Rochette dominated Skate Canada and is daring to dream of bigger things, including a podium finish at the World Championships, which will be contested in Los Angeles in March. "I want to have the two same performances I had [at Skate Canada]. The same thing, the same calmness with all my elements, and skating it perfectly at Worlds. That's all I'm asking from myself and then the results will take care of themselves. If it comes, it comes, and I will do everything I can to get on that podium," Rochette told IFS Canadian editor Rob Brodie.

See our extensive coverage of all the Skate Canada winners, including Rochette's teammate Patrick Chan, who won the men's title, in the latest issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine. Our digital edition (which is just $25 worldwide and is delivered right to your mail box) is now available or you can subscribe to the print magazine. Click here or email our customer service department.

Also in this issue:

• Yu-Na Kim is dominant at Skate America; Takahiko Kozuka upsets men's field. We have complete coverage from Everett, Wash.  
• IFS was at the Cup of China! See our exclusive coverage and photos of Yu-Na Kim, Jeremy Abbott, Zhang and Zhang, Belbin and Agosto.
• The Next Generation of U.S. stars includes a strong field of teenage ladies with Rachael Flatt, Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang leading the way.
• Nancy Kerrigan is honored in NYC.
• Tai Babilonia finishes her conversations with skaters who broke the race barrier
• Plus the latest on Scott Hamilton, Sasha Cohen, Johnny Weir, Alissa Czisny, Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, and more!

Headlined by Sasha Cohen, the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, and special guest Jeffrey Buttle, 2008 World champion, Smucker's Stars on Ice premiered at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid on Nov. 29. The show will be televised on NBC Jan. 4. The cast members have been busy on both coasts, participating in made-for-TV skating shows and promotional opportunities such as a visit to the New York City set of "Good Morning America." Check out our Inner Loop Online, which includes behind-the-scenes images from Lake Placid and shots from New York City where tour members also helped cast mate Jennifer Robinson celebrate her birthday.

Kristi Yamaguchi is continuing to sport a high profile on TV. She will host and narrate the San Francisco Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" on Wednesday's "Great Performances." The PBS show is slated for Dec 17 at 8 p.m. ET in the Boston area.

Yamaguchi was the subject of a recent Parade Magazine "In Step With" article. The magazine is an insert in many major Sunday newspapers. "I must have been 6 or 7 when my mother took me to 'The Nutcracker' for the first time," she told interviewer James Brady. "Now for the first time I will be taking our daughters, ages 3 and 5." Yamaguchi and husband, NHL star Bret Hedican, have two children, Keara and Emma.

Japan's Daisuke Takahashi will miss the entire season. Takahashi has injured the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus (cartilage) in his right knee joint. While the injury is serious and requires surgery, it is not a complete tear of ligament. "It is a damaged ligament," said his agent Tak Ihara. Click here to read our story.

No one expected it. It was an overwhelming moment for Canadian teenage ice dancers Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier. They could barely believe they were standing on the second step of the Skate Canada podium at their first senior international event. Read our feature on this exciting young ice dance team.

CANADA
Dec. 13, 3 P.M. (ET), CBC:  Cup of Russia
Dec. 20, 3 P.M. (ET), CBC:  NHK Trophy
Dec. 27, 2 P.M. (ET), CBC:  Grand Prix Final
Jan 3, 4 P.M. (ET), CBC:  Grand Prix Final Gala
Jan. 16, 3 P.M. (Local Time), CBC:  Canadian Championships
Jan 16, Midnight (Local), CBC:  Canadian Championships
Jan. 17, 2:30 P.M. (ET), CBC:  Canadian Championships
Jan. 8, 8 P.M. (ET Local), CBC:  Canadian Championships
Jan. 25, Noon (ET), CBC:  Canadian Championships Gala