Grant Hochstein starts his season at Ondrej Nepala Memorial Trophy, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Carriere talked to Figure Skaters Online about his return to skating following an injury plagued season.

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin are medal contenders in their first major competition.

American Stephen Carriere is the bronze medal prediction for the event in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Mirai Nagasu could start the season with a gold medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.

Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin are now international medalists. To kick off the third season of their partnership, Yankowskas and Coughlin won the Ice Challenge in Graz, Austria, finishing ahead of American teammates Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch, 163.14 points to 154.77.

After the short program at the Ice Challenge in Graz, Austria, Douglas Razzano is in sixth place with 66.95 points. He started his program to “Claire De Lune” by Claude Debussy with a triple Axel that earned him nine points, the highest scoring element of his program. He fell on the quadruple toe but moved on to perform a triple toe-triple toe combination and other strong elements, including two Level 4 spins.

Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin are on their way to claiming the first international medal of their careers. On Friday at the Ice Challenge in Graz, Austria, Yankowskas and Coughlin won the short program with 58.19 points, a little over a point higher than teammates Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch (57.13).

he United States will send 11 skaters to compete at Ice Challenge, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, in Graz, Austria, including 2008 Coupe de Nice silver medalists Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch. Joining them are Dougas Razzano, who is making his first senior international appearance, and pair team Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin.

In their third season together, Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin are ready to be contenders. “I think our biggest goal this year is to show we can be reliable,” Coughlin said. “I think when we skate clean, we will be very competitive not only nationally, but internationally. If we get to nationals having followed our plan for the season, I am confident we will be pleased with the result.”