Ellie Kam

American figure skater

Ellie Kam

Ellie Kam and Daniel O'Shea at the 2024 World Championships

Born|  (2004-12-20) December 20, 2004 (age 20)
Yokota Air Base, Japan
Hometown| Colorado Springs, Colorado
Height| 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in)
Figure skating career
Country|  United States
Discipline| Pair skating
Partner| Daniel O'Shea (since 2022)
Ian Meyh (2021–22)
Coach| Drew Meekins
Sandy Straub
Bruno Marcotte
Skating club| Thunderbirds Figure Skating Club
Medal record
| Four Continents Championships

|  | 2024 Shanghai | Pairs

|
|

U.S. Championships
|  | 2024 Columbus | Pairs

|
|

| 2023 San Jose | Pairs

|
|

| 2025 Wichita | Pairs

|
|

Ellie Kam (born December 20, 2004) is an American pair skater. With her current skating partner, Danny O'Shea, she is the 2024 Four Continents bronze medalist, 2024 Skate America silver medalist, 2024 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, 2024 CS John Nicks Pairs gold medalist, 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy gold medalist, and 2024 U.S. national champion.

## Skating career

[edit]

### Early years

[edit]

Kam trained as a pair skater. With partner Ian Meyh, she qualified for the 2022 U.S. Junior Championships, but they subsequently withdrew. Their partnership ended in mid-2022, after having competed in senior-level club competitions twice. She would later characterize her work with Meyh as "an amazing experience," adding "I learned everything, pairs-wise, with Ian."[1]

### 2022–2023 season

[edit]

Kam/O'Shea at the 2023 Four Continents Championships

Kam formed a new partnership with veteran pair skater Danny O'Shea, who had previously been acting as an advisor at her camp. They had initially begun skating together at her coach's suggestion as a way to keep her skills practised.[1] In the fall, they made their international debut at the 2022 Ice Challenge and won the gold medal in the pairs competition. They then made their Challenger debut at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, winning the silver medal.[2]

Kam/O'Shea competed next at the 2023 U.S. Championships, where they placed third in the short program.[3] They opened their free skate with Kam falling on their triple twist, but still managed to place third in that segment as well, winning the bronze medal. Kam called the experience "quite the whirlwind."[4]

Having reached the national podium, Kam/O'Shea were assigned to make their ISU championship debut together at the 2023 Four Continents Championships, held in their home training location of Colorado Springs. O'Shea considered this "pretty special."[5] They placed seventh in the short program, but a fifth-place free skate moved them up to sixth overall.[6][7] Kam/O'Shea finished the season at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, where they finished twelfth.[8]

### 2023–2024 season: Four Continents bronze

[edit]

Kam/O'Shea began the season with a victory at the 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy.[9] They were invited to make their Grand Prix debut at the 2023 Grand Prix de France, and finished fifth in the short program, but had to withdraw after Kam suffered an injury in training.[10] Despite this, Kam/O'Shea were able to attend their second Grand Prix, the 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo, coming sixth.[11]

At the 2024 U.S. Championships, Kam/O'Shea finished second in the short program with a score of 64.57, with Kam having struggled on the throw landing and O'Shea two-footing his jump. Segment leaders Chan/Howe withdrew in advance of the free skate, leaving Kam/O'Shea the de facto first-place finishers heading into that segment. They were second in the free skate behind Efimova/Mitrofanov, but won their first national title by 0.85 points. O'Shea enthused that "being first is amazing," while noting there was room to improve on their performance, in particular continued difficulties with throw landings.[12]

Kam/O'Shea had already been named to the American team for the 2024 Four Continents Championships in advance of the national championships, due to the events being separated by less than a week.[13] Traveling to Shanghai for the competition, they finished fourth in the short program despite Kam's throw fall, before a second-place free skate lifted them to the bronze medal, their first international championship podium as a team. Kam noted that the turnaround between the events was such that she did not feel their national gold had "sank in yet."[14]

In the short program at the 2024 World Championships in Montreal, Kam fell on their throw triple loop, but the team was otherwise clean and they came tenth in the segment. O'Shea said that it was "nice to see that with a fall – a fairly large mistake – we still get a season-best. That means the other things we’ve been working on are improving and the judges are starting to see that piece as well."[15] Difficulties with jumps and throws continued in the free skate, and Kam/O'Shea dropped to eleventh overall.[16]

### 2024–2025 season: Two Grand Prix medals

[edit]

Kam and O'Shea began their season by competing on the 2024–25 ISU Challenger Series. They won gold at the 2024 John Nicks Pairs Competition and bronze at the 2024 Nebelhorn Trophy. Going on to compete on the 2024–25 Grand Prix series, the pair won the silver medal at the 2024 Skate America, scoring a personal best free skate and combined total score in the process. The team followed up this result with a bronze medal at the 2024 NHK Trophy.[9] These Grand Prix series results allowed the pair to qualify for the 2024–25 Grand Prix Final, where they finished in fifth place.[17]

## Programs

[edit]

### Pair skating with Daniel O'Shea

[edit]

Season  | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition

|
|
|

2022–23
[18] |

* Nocturnal Animals
* Exhibition
* Wayward Sisters
* Table for Two
by Abel Korzeniowski
choreo. by Drew Meekins

* The Prayer
performed by Charlotte Church & Josh Groban
choreo. by Drew Meekins

2023–24
[19] |

* East of Eden
by Lee Holdridge
choreo. by Drew Meekins

* Uptown Funk
by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

2024–25
[20] |

* Rain, in Your Black Eyes
by Ezio Bosso
choreo. by Drew Meekins

* Concealed Passion
by Audiomachine
* Stand by Me
by Ben E. King
performed by Florence and the Machine
choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil

* Uptown Funk
by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

* * *

* Cupid (Twin Version)
by Fifty Fifty

## Competitive highlights

[edit]

* GP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series
* CS – Event of the ISU Challenger Series
* WD – Withdrew from competition

### Pair skating with Daniel O'Shea

[edit]

Competition placements at senior level [21] Season  |  2022–23 |  2023–24 |  2024–25

|
|
|

World Championships | 12th  | 11th  |
Four Continents Championships | 6th  | 3rd  |
Grand Prix Final |  |  | 5th
U.S. Championships | 3rd  | 1st  | 3rd
GP France |  | WD  |
GP Finland |  | 6th  |
GP NHK Trophy |  |  | 3rd
GP Skate America |  |  | 2nd
CS Finlandia Trophy |  | 1st  |
CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 2nd  |  |
CS John Nicks Pairs |  |  | 1st
CS Nebelhorn Trophy |  |  | 3rd
Ice Challenge | 1st  |  |

## Detailed results

[edit]

### Pair skating with Daniel O'Shea

[edit]

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [21] Segment  | Type  | Score  | Event

|
|
|

Total  | TSS | 201.73 | 2024 Skate America
Short program | TSS | 73.16 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
TES | 40.58 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
PCS | 32.68 | 2024 NHK Trophy
Free skating | TSS | 131.07 | 2024 Skate America
TES | 65.36 | 2024 NHK Trophy
PCS | 66.37 | 2024 Skate America

* Small medals for the short program and free skating are only awarded at ISU Championships.

Results in the 2022–23 season [21] Date  | Event  | SP | FS | Total

|
|
|
|

P | Score  | P | Score  | P | Score
Nov 9–13, 2022  |  2022 Ice Challenge | 1  | 65.35  | 1  | 117.84  | 1  | 183.19
Dec 7–10, 2022  |  2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 3  | 62.07  | 2  | 116.76  | 2  | 178.83
Jan 26–28, 2023  |  2023 U.S. Championships | 3  | 65.75  | 3  | 118.26  | 3  | 184.01
Feb 7–12, 2023  |  2023 Four Continents Championships | 7  | 57.49  | 5  | 111.20  | 6  | 168.69
Mar 20–26, 2023  |  2023 World Championships | 9  | 63.40  | 13  | 112.19  | 12  | 175.59
Results in the 2023–24 season [21] Date  | Event  | SP | FS | Total

|
|
|
|

P | Score  | P | Score  | P | Score
Oct 4–8, 2023  |  2023 CS Finlandia Trophy | 1  | 63.03  | 1  | 119.04  | 1  | 182.07
Nov 3–5, 2023  |  2023 Grand Prix de France | 5  | 54.75  | —  | —  | –  | WD
Nov 17–19, 2023  |  2023 Grand Prix of Espoo | 6  | 55.99  | 6  | 96.17  | 6  | 152.16
Jan 22–28, 2024  |  2024 U.S. Championships | 2  | 64.57  | 2  | 123.19  | 1  | 187.76
Jan 30 – Feb 4, 2024  |  2024 Four Continents Championships | 4  | 60.72  | 2  | 126.56  | 3  | 187.28
Mar 18–24, 2024  |  2024 World Championships | 10  | 64.44  | 11  | 115.97  | 11  | 180.41
Results in the 2024–25 season [21] Date  | Event  | SP | FS | Total

|
|
|
|

P | Score  | P | Score  | P | Score
Sep 3–4, 2024  |  2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition | 1  | 67.46  | 2  | 124.16  | 1  | 191.62
Sep 18–21, 2024  |  2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 2  | 73.16  | 7  | 111.22  | 3  | 184.38
Oct 18–20, 2024  |  2024 Skate America | 2  | 70.66  | 2  | 131.07  | 2  | 201.73
Nov 8–10, 2024  |  2024 NHK Trophy | 3  | 69.15  | 3  | 128.29  | 3  | 197.44
Dec 5–8, 2024  |  2024–25 Grand Prix Final | 5  | 68.91  | 5  | 129.35  | 5  | 198.26
Jan 20–26, 2025  |  2025 U.S. Championships | 1  | 77.19  | 5  | 112.38  | 3  | 189.57

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Capellazzi, Gina (February 8, 2023). "Kam/O'Shea Seize the Moment". A Divine Sport.
2. ^ "Team USA Wraps up Challenger Series with Seven Medals at Golden Spin of Zagreb". U.S. Figure Skating. December 10, 2022.
3. ^ Walker, Elvin (January 27, 2023). "Knierim and Frazier, Levito, Chock and Bates Take First Step Toward Gold". U.S. Figure Skating.
4. ^ Flett, Ted (January 29, 2023). "Knierim and Frazier reclaim US pairs title". Golden Skate.
5. ^ Field, Carson (February 10, 2023). "Danny O'Shea, Ellie Kam represent Colorado Springs at Four Continents championships". The Gazette.
6. ^ Dombrowski, Judith (February 10, 2023). "Miura and Kihara 'achieve goal' in short program". Golden Skate.
7. ^ Slater, Paula (February 11, 2023). "Miura and Kihara reign at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
8. ^ "Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier Win Second Straight World Championships Medal with Silver". U.S. Figure Skating. March 23, 2023.
9. ^ a b "Competition Results: Ellie KAM / Daniel O'SHEA". International Skating Union.
10. ^ "Pereira/Michaud (CAN) claim first ISU Grand Prix crown at Grand Prix de France". International Skating Union. October 21, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
11. ^ Slater, Paula (November 18, 2023). "Hase and Volodin golden in Grand Prix debut". Golden Skate. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
12. ^ Flett, Ted (January 28, 2024). "Kam and O'Shea snag gold at U.S. Nationals". Golden Skate. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
13. ^ "Eighteen Athletes Named to Four Continents Team". U.S. Figure Skating. January 9, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
14. ^ Slater, Paula (February 3, 2024). "Stellato-Dudek claims Four Continents title". Golden Skate. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
15. ^ Schwindt, Troy (March 20, 2024). "Levito shines in short program at Worlds, places second". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
16. ^ Schwindt, Troy (March 21, 2024). "Malinin third after short program at Worlds, with Brown close behind". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
17. ^ "ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2024/2025 - Pairs". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
18. ^ "Ellie KAM / Daniel O'SHEA: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023.
19. ^ "Ellie KAM / Daniel O'SHEA: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023.
20. ^ "Ellie KAM / Daniel O'SHEA: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024.
21. ^ a b c d e "USA–Ellie Kam/Daniel O'Shea". SkatingScores.

## External links

[edit]

* Ellie Kam & Daniel O'Shea at the International Skating Union
* Ellie Kam & Daniel O'Shea at SkatingScores

* v
* t
* e

U.S. figure skating champions (pairs)

* 1914: Jeanne Chevalier & Norman M. Scott
* 1918: Theresa Weld & Nathaniel Niles
* 1920–27: Theresa Weld & Nathaniel Niles
* 1928–29: Maribel Vinson & Thornton Coolidge
* 1930–32: Beatrix Loughran & Sherwin Badger
* 1933: Maribel Vinson & George Hill
* 1934: Grace Madden & J. Lester Madden
* 1935–37: Maribel Vinson & George Hill
* 1938–40: Joan Tozzer & Bernard Fox
* 1941: Donna Atwood & Eugene Turner
* 1942–44: Doris Schubach & Walter Noffke
* 1945–46: Donna J. Pospisil & Jean-Pierre Brunet
* 1947: Yvonne Sherman & Robert Swenning
* 1948–52: Karol Kennedy & Peter Kennedy
* 1953–56: Carole Ormaca & Robin Greiner
* 1957–60: Nancy Ludington & Ronald Ludington
* 1961: Maribel Owen & Dudley Richards
* 1962: Dorothyann Nelson & Pieter Kollen
* 1963–64: Judianne Fotheringill & Jerry Fotheringill
* 1965: Vivian Joseph & Ronald Joseph
* 1966–69: Cynthia Kauffman & Ronald Kauffman
* 1970–72: JoJo Starbuck & Kenneth Shelley
* 1973: Melissa Militano & Mark Militano
* 1974–75: Melissa Militano & Johnny Johns
* 1976–80: Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner
* 1981–84: Kitty Carruthers & Peter Carruthers
* 1985: Jill Watson & Peter Oppegard
* 1986: Gillian Wachsman & Todd Waggoner
* 1987–88: Jill Watson & Peter Oppegard
* 1989–90: Kristi Yamaguchi & Rudy Galindo
* 1991: Natasha Kuchiki & Todd Sand
* 1992–93: Calla Urbanski & Rocky Marval
* 1994–96: Jenni Meno & Todd Sand
* 1997–98: Kyoko Ina & Jason Dungjen
* 1999: Danielle Hartsell & Steve Hartsell
* 2000–02: Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman
* 2003: Tiffany Scott & Philip Dulebohn
* 2004: Rena Inoue & John Baldwin
* 2005: Katie Orscher & Garrett Lucash
* 2006: Rena Inoue & John Baldwin
* 2007: Brooke Castile & Benjamin Okolski
* 2008–09: Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker
* 2010: Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett
* 2011: Caitlin Yankowskas & John Coughlin
* 2012: Caydee Denney & John Coughlin
* 2013–14: Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir
* 2015: Alexa Scimeca & Chris Knierim
* 2016: Tarah Kayne & Daniel O'Shea
* 2017: Haven Denney & Brandon Frazier
* 2018: Alexa Scimeca Knierim & Chris Knierim
* 2019: Ashley Cain & Timothy LeDuc
* 2020: Alexa Scimeca Knierim & Chris Knierim
* 2021: Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier
* 2022: Ashley Cain-Gribble & Timothy LeDuc
* 2023: Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier
* 2024: Ellie Kam & Daniel O'Shea
* 2025: Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov

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