Ashley Cain-Gribble

Ashley Elizabeth Cain-Gribble (born July 22, 1995) is an American pair skater. With her skating partner, Timothy LeDuc, she is the 2019 U.S. Champion, 2018 Four Continents silver medalist, and 2017 U.S. national bronze medalist. Earlier in her career, she also competed in single skating, becoming the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalist and the 2012 U.S. Junior silver medalist.[2]

Ashley Cain
Cain (top) and LeDuc (bottom) at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup
Personal information
Full name	Ashley Elizabeth Cain-Gribble
Country represented	United States
Born	(1995-07-22) July 22, 1995 Carrollton, Texas
Home town	Coppell, Texas
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Partner	Timothy LeDuc
Former partner	Joshua Reagan Sergei Sidorov
Coach	Peter Cain, Darlene Cain, Nina Mozer, Vladislav Zhovnirski
Former coach	David Kirby
Choreographer	Serge Onik, G. and S. Arena, Cordero Zuckerman
Former choreographer	Jeremy Abbott, Scott Brown
Skating club	SC of New York
Former skating club	Stars FSC of Texas
Training locations	Euless, Texas
Began skating	1999
World standing	Pairs with LeDuc 14 (As of 24 January 2019)[1] 23 (2017–18) 44 (2016–17) Ladies' singles 236 (2017–18) 115 (2016–17) 81 (2015–16) 84 (2014–15) 89 (2013–14) 98 (2012–13) 121 (2011–12) Pairs with Reagan 27 (2011–12) 35 (2010–11)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	205.58 2019 U.S. Classic
Short program	76.23 2019 U.S. Classic
Free skate	129.66 2019 Internationaux de France
Medal record Representing  United States Figure skating: Pairs Four Continents Championships 2018 Taipei Pairs World Team Trophy 2019 Fukuoka Team

Personal life

Ashley Cain was born July 22, 1995, in Carrollton, Texas.[3] She is the daughter of Peter Cain, an Australian former pair skater who competed at the 1980 Olympics, and Darlene Wendt, a Canadian former ice dancer.[4][5] She is also the niece of Elizabeth Cain and the cousin of Sean Carlow who competed for Australia in pair skating and men's singles, respectively. She became engaged to Dalton Gribble in March 2018, and they married on June 1, 2019.[6]

Cain studied online at Texas Tech University Independent School.[7]

Career

Cain began learning to skate in 1999.[8] Her father introduced her to pairs when she was seven or eight years old.[9] She is a member of U.S. Figure Skating's DREAM (Determination, Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Motivation) Team, which is involved in mentoring developing skaters.[10]

Early partnerships

Competing in novice pairs, Cain finished 8th with Sergei Sidorov at the 2008 U.S. Championships. She teamed up with Joshua Reagan in April 2009.[11] The pair was coached by David Kirby and Peter Cain at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Euless, Texas.[4]

In the 2010–11 season, Cain/Reagan received two Junior Grand Prix assignments, placing sixth in England and taking silver in the Czech Republic. In January 2011, they won the U.S. national junior title, becoming the only pair to ever win U.S. novice and junior titles in consecutive years.[12] They ranked eighth in the short program, fourth in the free skate, and fourth overall at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Gangneung, South Korea.

The following season, Cain/Reagan moved up to the senior level. They ranked fourth at the 2011 International Cup of Nice and sixth at their sole Grand Prix assignment, the 2011 Cup of Russia, before placing sixth at the 2012 U.S. Championships. On February 24, 2012, they announced the end of their partnership.[12]

Single skating

As a single skater, Cain began competing on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series in 2011 and won silver on the junior level at the 2012 U.S. Championships. She won the bronze medal at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, her first senior international. The following season, she took bronze at the 2014 Ondrej Nepela Trophy and was invited to two Grand Prix events, the 2014 Cup of China and 2014 Rostelecom Cup.[13][14]

Due to fatigue, Cain decided to retire from singles skating in September 2016.[15][16]

Partnership with LeDuc

Following a suggestion from U.S. Figure Skating's Mitch Moyer, Cain tried out with Timothy LeDuc in May 2016.[17][9] On May 23, 2016, they confirmed their intention to compete together.[18][19] Peter Cain coaches the pair in Euless, Texas.[8]

2016–17 season

Cain/LeDuc received three Challenger Series assignments. After placing fourth at the 2016 Nebelhorn Trophy and 2016 Finlandia Trophy, they were awarded the bronze medal at the 2016 Golden Spin of Zagreb, where they upgraded their twist from a double to a triple. Cain stated, "We just started rotating it days before we left for that competition."[17] She had never performed it in competition during her earlier partnerships.[17] They placed third at the 2017 US Figure Skating Championships. At the 2017 Four Continents Championships, they placed ninth.

2017–18 season

Cain/LeDuc started the season at the 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy, where they placed fourth. Cain/LeDuc placed seventh at the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. At the 2017 Cup of China, they placed sixth. Cain and LeDuc placed fourth overall at the 2018 US Figure Skating Championships.[20] They placed second at the 2018 Four Continents Championships, winning their first medal at an ISU championship event.

2018–19 season

At the 2018 US International Figure Skating Classic, Cain/LeDuc placed first overall with a score of 173.05. At the 2018 Ondrej Nepela Trophy, they placed first overall with a score of 181.56. At their first Grand Prix event of the season, 2018 Skate America, they placed 4th in the short program and 3rd overall with a score of 175.05. At the 2018 Rostelecom Cup, they placed 7th in the short program and 6th overall with a score of 170.29.

Cain/LeDuc then competed in a third Challenger event, the 2018 Golden Spin of Zagreb. Second after the short program, they placed fifth overall following two falls in the free skate. The second fall involved Cain being dropped on her head in the process of exiting a lift, seemingly being knocked unconscious briefly, before getting up and completing the program. She was subsequently taken to the hospital. There was considerable controversy amongst commentators that the referee had not halted the performance.[21][22] She was subsequently diagnosed with a concussion.

At the 2019 U.S. Championships, she and LeDuc won their first US pairs title after placing second in the short program and first in the free skate. Speaking afterward, Cain said "I was in the hospital in Croatia staring at the ceiling thinking I need to remember this moment because a month from now, I want to be on top of the podium. It shows that with hard work, you can get to this moment. My team never gave up on me, even when I was at my lowest of lows. I have been lucky, even with the concussion."[23] As national champions, Cain/LeDuc were assigned to compete at the 2019 Four Continents Championships in early February and as America's sole pairs team at the 2019 World Championships in Saitama, Japan.

Cain/LeDuc finished fourth at the Four Continents Championships, the highest placement for an American team, after finishing fourth in both segments. Cain had struggled in the practice sessions beforehand and felt dehydrated, but recovered and said she was satisfied with how they had performed.[24]

At the World Championships, their first, Cain/LeDuc placed ninth. Le Duc described the season as a "rollercoaster", given the issues with injuries, while Cain expressed pleasure at having earned a second pairs spot for the United States at the following year's World Championships.[25][26] Cain/LeDuc concluded their season as part of the gold medal-winning Team USA at the 2019 World Team Trophy.[27]

2019–20 season

Cain-Gribble/LeDuc began the season at the 2019 CS U.S. Classic, where they won gold, defeating reigning World silver medalists Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov. They were considered one of the favourites for the gold medal at their first Grand Prix assignment of the year, the 2019 Skate America.[28] They placed third in the short program after Cain-Gribble fell on their throw triple Lutz.[29] In the free skate, they had a second throw Lutz fall, as well as a popped side-by-side jump attempt and an aborted lift, which dropped them to fifth place overall.[30] At their second Grand Prix, the 2019 Internationaux de France, Cain-Gribble again fell on their throw Lutz in the short program, putting them fourth after that segment.[31] They finally landed the throw Lutz in the free skate, but remained in fourth place overall after Cain-Gribble fell on their side-by-side triple Salchow attempt.[32]

Competing at the 2020 U.S. Championships, Cain-Gribble/LeDuc were fourth in the short program after she two-footed the landing of their throw Lutz and an error resulted in their death spiral element being completely invalidated.[33] Struggling with the quality of elements in the free skate, they remained in fourth place overall, winning the pewter medal. LeDuc remarked "it just wasn't in the cards for us today.[34]

Programs

Pairs with LeDuc

Season	Short program	Free skating
2019–2020 [35]	A Storm is Coming by Tommee Profitt, Liv Ash	The Middle of the World (from Moonlight) by Nicholas Britell Experience by Ludovico Einaudi
2018–2019 [36]	Bella Belle by The Electric Swing Circus	W.E. (soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski choreo. by Pasquale Camerlengo
2017–2018 [37]	I'll Take Care of You by Joe Bonamassa	The Great Gatsby (soundtrack) Bang Bang Young and Beautiful A Little Party Never Killed Nobody
2016–2017 [8]	I Put a Spell on You by Jay Hawkins performed by Annie Lennox	The Prayer performed by Andrea Boccelli, Celine Dion

Ladies' singles

Season	Short program	Free skating
2015–2016 [38][39]	Skinny Love by Birdy choreo. by Jeremy Abbott	Boléro for Violin and Orchestra by Vanessa-Mae choreo. by Scott Brown
2014–2015 [39][40]	Mission: Impossible performed by The Piano Guys and Lindsey Stirling choreo. by Scott Brown	Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber choreo. by Scott Brown
2013–2014 [41]	Flamenco Fire by Didulya	Ave Maria by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by William Joseph
2012–2013 [42]	Montserrat by Orquesta del Plata performed by Bajofondo	Ave Maria performed by William Joseph
2011–2012 [39]	Montserrat by Orquesta del Plata performed by Bajofondo	Who Wants to Live Forever by David Garrett
2010–2011 [39]	Love in Venice by Edvin Marton	The Music of the Night (from The Phantom of the Opera) performed by André Rieu
2009–2010 [39]	Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy	Ratatouille by Michael Giacchino performed by Tim Simonec

Pairs with Reagan

Season	Short program	Free skating
2011–2012 [43]	Moon River by Henry Mancini	Doctor Zhivago by Maurice Jarre
2010–2011 [44]	Clubbed to Death (from The Matrix) by Rob Dougan	Romeo and Juliet Ouverture by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
2009–2010 [11]	One by Three Dog Night performed by the London Symphony	Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

Pairs with LeDuc

International[45]
Event	16–17	17–18	18–19	19–20
Worlds			9th	C
Four Continents	9th	2nd	4th
GP Cup of China		6th
GP France				4th
GP Skate America			3rd	5th
GP Rostelecom Cup			6th
CS Finlandia	4th
CS Golden Spin	3rd		5th	1st
CS Lombardia		4th
CS Nebelhorn	4th	7th
CS Ondrej Nepela			1st
CS U.S. Classic			1st	1st
National[46]
U.S. Championships	3rd	4th	1st	4th
Team events
World Team Trophy	3rd T 5th P		1st T 5th P
T = Team result; P = Personal result; C = Cancelled Medals awarded for team result only.

Ladies' singles

International[2]
Event	10–11	11–12	12–13	13–14	14–15	15–16
GP Cup of China					10th
GP Rostelecom Cup					8th
CS Nepela Trophy					3rd
Nebelhorn Trophy				3rd
International: Junior[2]
JGP France			5th
JGP Latvia		6th
JGP Romania		5th
National[39]
U.S. Champ.	6th J	2nd J	12th	12th	14th	14th
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew

Pairs with Reagan

International[47]
Event	2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
GP Cup of Russia			6th
Cup of Nice			4th
International: Junior[47]
World Junior Champ.		4th
JGP Final		5th
JGP Czech Republic		2nd
JGP United Kingdom		6th
National[11]
U.S. Championships	1st N	1st J	6th
Midwestern Sectionals	1st N
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior

Pairs with Sidorov

National
Event	2007–08
U.S. Championships	8th N
N = Novice level

Detailed results

Pairs with LeDuc

ISU personal best scores highlighted in bold. Historical personal bests highlighted in bold and italicized.

2019–20 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
January 20–26, 2020	2020 U.S. Championships	4 67.56	4 128.26	4 197.12
November 1–3, 2019	2019 Internationaux de France	4 66.12	4 129.66	4 195.78
October 18–20, 2019	2019 Skate America	3 68.20	5 109.34	5 177.54
September 17-22, 2019	2019 CS U.S. Classic	1 76.23	1 129.35	1 205.58
2018–19 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
April 11-14, 2019	2019 World Team Trophy	5 66.91	5 125.24	1T/5P 192.15
March 18–24, 2019	2019 World Championships	9 66.93	9 126.88	9 193.81
February 4–10, 2019	2019 Four Continents Championships	4 67.49	4 129.33	4 196.82
January 19–27, 2019	2019 U.S. Championships	2 70.47	1 141.89	1 212.36
December 5–8, 2018	2018 Golden Spin of Zagreb	2 64.34	5 105.33	5 169.67
November 16–18, 2018	2018 Rostelecom Cup	7 58.79	6 112.50	6 170.29
October 19–21, 2018	2018 Skate America	4 57.72	2 117.34	3 176.06
September 19–22, 2018	2018 Ondrej Nepela Trophy	1 65.68	1 115.88	1 181.56
September 12–16, 2018	2018 CS U.S. Classic	1 59.10	1 113.95	1 173.05
2017–18 season
January 22–28, 2018	2018 Four Continents Championships	1 66.76	2 123.85	2 190.61
December 29, 2017–January 8, 2018	2018 US Championships	8 60.03	4 127.11	4 187.14
November 3–5, 2017	2017 Cup of China	7 53.15	6 101.21	6 154.36
September 27–30, 2017	2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy	10 55.47	5 120.88	7 176.35
September 14–17, 2017	2017 CS Lombardia Trophy	4 60.56	5 105.76	4 166.32
2016–17 season
April 20–23, 2017	2017 World Team Trophy	5 59.57	5 104.23	5 P 163.80 3 T
February 15–19, 2017	2017 Four Continents Championships	9 62.58	10 106.27	9 168.87
January 14–22, 2017	2017 US Championships	1 69.33	3 115.08	3 184.41
December 7–10, 2016	2016 Golden Spin	4 56.60	2 115.58	3 172.18
October 6–10, 2016	2016 CS Finlandia Trophy	6 54.26	4 104.37	4 158.63
September 22–24, 2016	2016 Nebelhorn Trophy	5 52.40	4 98.00	4 150.40

References

1. "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance - Pairs". International Skating Union.
2. "Competition Results: Ashley CAIN". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016.
3. "Ashley CAIN: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
4. Rutherford, Lynn (August 29, 2011). "Cain, Reagan bank on strong jumping skills". IceNetwork.com. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
5. Walker, Elvin (September 5, 2010). "Cain and Reagan ambitious and ready". Golden Skate.
6. Brannen, Sarah S. (April 11, 2018). "The Inside Edge: Hill-Wampler returns to coaching". IceNetwork.com.
7. Coker, Lesleyann (February 13, 2012). "Ashley Cain: US Figure Skating's Rising Star". Huffington Post.
8. "Ashley CAIN / Timothy LEDUC: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
9. Cloutier, Claire (January 19, 2017). "Cain and LeDuc: "We have to stay connected … and just trust each other"". Figure Skaters Online.
10. "DREAM (Determination, Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Motivation)". U.S. Figure Skating.
11. "Ashley Cain / Joshua Reagan". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
12. Cain, Ashley (February 24, 2012). "Cain and Reagan End Partnership". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
13. Rutherford, Lynn (July 21, 2014). "Philadelphia postcards: Cain is able but not willing". IceNetwork.com.
14. Bőd, Titanilla (November 7, 2014). "Ashley Cain: "This season I'm stepping out of my box!"". Absolute Skating.
15. Hersh, Philip (January 19, 2017). "Cain, LeDuc grab lead in U.S. championships debut". IceNetwork.com.
16. Han, Brooklee (June 21, 2017). "Cain & LeDuc: Full Steam Ahead". IFS Magazine.
17. Rutherford, Lynn (January 19, 2017). "Kansas City strips: New pairs shake up status quo". IceNetwork.com.
18. Cain, Ashley (May 23, 2016). "Ashley Elizabeth Cain (@icegirlash) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
19. Brannen, Sarah S. (May 31, 2016). "The Inside Edge: Cain, LeDuc reenter pairs fray". IceNetwork.com.
20. 2018 U.S Figure skating Championships
21. "Pairs figure skater suffers scary fall during overhead lift". CBC Sports. December 8, 2018.
22. "Shocking scenes as KO'd figure skater allowed to continue routine". Yahoo Sports. December 7, 2018.
23. Mammoser, Scott (January 26, 2019). "Cain and LeDuc capture Pair's U.S. title". Golden Skate.
24. Slater, Paula (February 9, 2019). "Sui and Han rebound for fifth Four Continents title". Golden Skate.
25. Slater, Paula (March 20, 2019). "Tarasova and Morozov take lead Pairs at Worlds with record score". Golden Skate.
26. Slater, Paula (March 21, 2019). "Sui and Han take second World gold after record-breaking free skate". Golden Skate.
27. Slater, Paula (April 13, 2019). "Team USA wins fourth World Team Trophy gold". Golden Skate.
28. Rutherford, Lynn (October 18, 2019). "Cain and LeDuc target world top 5, starting at Skate America". NBC Sports.
29. Slater, Paula (October 19, 2019). "Cheng and Peng at 2019 Skate America: 'We're satisfied overall'". Golden Skate.
30. Slater, Paula (October 20, 2019). "China's Peng and Jin win first Grand Prix gold at 2019 Skate America". Golden Skate.
31. Slater, Paula (November 1, 2019). "Russia's Pavliuchenko and Khodykin hold top spot in pairs in Grenoble". Golden Skate.
32. Slater, Paula (November 2, 2019). "Russia's Mishina and Galliamov edge out teammates for 2019 Internationaux de France gold". Golden Skate.
33. Slater, Paula (January 23, 2020). "Knierim and Knierim lead Pairs at U.S. Nationals". Golden Skate.
34. Slater, Paula (January 25, 2020). "Knierim and Knierim reclaim U.S. National title in Pairs". Golden Skate.
35. "Ashley CAIN-GRIBBLE / Timothy LEDUC: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
36. "Ashley CAIN / Timothy LEDUC: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
37. "Ashley CAIN / Timothy LEDUC: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
38. The Skating Lesson [@SkatingLesson] (April 23, 2015). "A first look at Ashley Cain's new program" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
39. "Ashley Cain". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017.
    • "Earlier versions: 2011 to 2013". Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
40. Slater, Paula (September 1, 2014). "Cain prepares for Grand Prix debut, again". Golden Skate.
41. "Ashley CAIN: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 22, 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
42. "Ashley CAIN: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
43. "Ashley CAIN / Joshua REAGAN: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
44. "Ashley CAIN / Joshua REAGAN: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
45. "Competition Results: Ashley CAIN / Timothy LEDUC". International Skating Union.
46. "Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016.
47. "Competition Results: Ashley CAIN / Joshua REAGAN". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013.

External links

• Official website of Cain/LeDuc at FigureSkatersOnline.com
• Ashley Cain / Timothy LeDuc at the International Skating Union
• Official website of Ashley Cain
• Ashley Cain (@icegirlash) on Twitter