Skate America is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by the USFSA. It is the first ISU Grand Prix event to be held. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing.
The 2004 competition was held at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from October 21 through 24. The compulsory dance was the Golden Waltz. There was an accident during the pairs long programs. Maxim Marinin lost his balance while attempting a difficult lasso lift and his partner Tatiana Totmianina slammed to the ice head first, sustaining a concussion, but was not seriously hurt. A short while later, Julia Obertas fell out of a lasso lift but her partner Sergei Slavnov managed to catch her to prevent her head hitting the ice.
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