End of suspense. The International Skating Union (ISU) revealed the winners of its annual figure skating trophies on Sunday February 5 in Zurich, during its gala evening. Unsurprisingly, the most coveted award, that of best skater of the year, was awarded to the American Nathan Chen, Olympic champion last February in Beijing in the men's individual event. The French Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, crowned last year in Beijing in ice dancing, received the trophy for best program. The title of revelation of the year went to the young American Isabeau Levito. The American couple Madison Chock/Evan Bates won the trophy for best costume. Another American victory for Ilia Malinin, rewarded with a special trophy for having been the first skater, the only one to date, to have performed a quadruple axel in competition. Canadians Patrice Lauzon and Shae-Lynn Bourne were also honored, crowned best coach and best choreographer respectively. Finally, a trophy was awarded to former German skater Katarina Witt, distinguished by the ISU for her entire body of work.
