2011 Rostelecom Cup: Men's Preview

This is a very hard event to predict because we have a very erratic group of skaters. About 6 of these 9 skaters have podium potential, so it will be interesting say the least to see how things shake down. The men skate their short Friday November 25th at 10:45 a.m. EST and their free Saturday November 26th at 10:25 a.m. EST.

Javier Fernandez (ESP) surprised us all when he nearly beat Patrick Chan at Skate Canada, and I for one do not think he is a one hit wonder. His technique is solid and Brian Orser has helped him to improve his components. He scored over 250 at Skate Canada and that was even with mistakes! This is certainly not the safe prediction to make, but I say he wins this event and qualifies for the Grand Prix Final. Jeremy Abbott (USA) won Cup of China, but his winning score was over 20 points below Fernandez' Silver medal score in Canada. He has beautiful programs but until he ups the technical arsenal and gets his consistent Quad back, he won't compete with Chan and the top guys in the World. Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) is a wildcard because when he is on, there are few people he can't beat. He has a great Quad and is so beautiful artistically, a rare combination these days. But he's very inconsistent and often starts out his free skates much too fast, running out of steam at the end as he did at Cup of China. Artur Gachinski (RUS) skating on home ice will certainly factor into the top group, though I'm not certain he has all the goods to skate with the best and even though he has the jumps, I don't think he can beat the likes of Fernandez, Abbot, or Hanyu if they are clean. Michal Brezina (CZE) is another wildcard because he is very inconsistent technically, but the judges usually score him high, so look for him to make the podium even with flawed skates. Then you have Brandon Mroz (RUS) who self-destructed in the free after a great short at NHK Trophy. He'll be skating with a chip on his shoulder and if he hits, he'll pull massive technical elements scores that could hold him up over skaters.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Javier Fernandez (ESP)
2) Jeremy Abbott (USA)
3) Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)


Competitive History:


Jeremy Abbott (USA)-1st at 2011 Cup of China, 3rd at 2011 Four Continents, 3rd at 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd at 2010 NHK Trophy, 4th at 2009 Grand Prix Final; PB: 237.72 at 2009 GPF


Michal Brezina (CZE)-2nd at 2011 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st at 2011 Skate America, 2nd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 4th 2011 Worlds, 8th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2011 Bavarian Open, 2nd 2010 Golden Spin of Zagreb, 7th 201 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 236.06 at 2010 Worlds


Javier Fernandez (ESP)-2nd at 2011 Skate Canada, 4th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 10th at 2011 Worlds, 9th at 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 5th at 2010 Skate Canada, 5th at 2010 Coup de Nice; 250.33 at 2011 Skate Canada

Artur Gachinski (RUS)-5th at 2011 Cup of China, 3rd at 2011 Worlds, 5th at 2011 Europeans, 6th at 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 7th at 2010 Skate Canada, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 1st 2010 Finlandia Trophy; 241.86 at 2011 Worlds 


Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)-4th at 2011 Cup of China, 1st 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 7th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 4th 2010 NHK Trophy; 228.01 at 2011 Four Continents


Konstantin Menshov (RUS)-6th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 7th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 7th 2011 Europeans, 10th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Coup de Nice, 6th 2010 Finlandia Trophy, 2nd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 202.62 at 2011 Europeans


Brandon Mroz (USA)-9th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 3rd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2nd 2010 Cup of China; PB: 216.80 at 2010 Cup of China


Andrei Rogozine (CAN)-7th at 2011 Skate Canada, 1st 2011 World Juniors, 3rd 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP Japan, 1st 2010 JGP France; PB: 200.13 at 2011 World Juniors


Sergei Voronov (RUS)-2nd 2011 Winter Universiade, 12th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 220.39 at 2009 Cup of China

2011 Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Preview

This ladies event is a little difficult to predict because it's full of either young or inconsistent skaters, only 3 of the 10 having won a medal in their first Grand Prix of the season. The ladies skate their short Friday November 25th at 7:00 a.m. EST and their free on Saturday November 26th at 7:00 a.m. EST.

Mao Asada (JPN), coming off of a disastrous 2010-2011 season, looked fantastic at NHK Trophy where she finished just about a point out of first, and I think she can win here. If she goes clean with her technical elements she can beat the pants off of this field with her program components. Any medal will put her in the final. Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) did not make the Grand Prix debut we expected, though she finished a respectable 3rd in China. A Silver will likely be enough to secure her a spot in the final, though a Gold would guarantee it. Alena Leonova (RUS), Bronze medalist in Japan looks to qualify for the Final as well, though she also needs Silver, likely Gold, to secure a spot. I'm not a fan of her programs, but when she goes clean, the judges reward her accordingly. The American trio of Rachael Flatt (USA), Christina Gao (USA) & Agnes Zawadzki (USA) did not start out the season as they hoped, but because the final is now out of reach, they can skate all out and have nothing to lose. They all have podium potential if they put together two strong program and other make mistakes. Kiira Korpi (FIN) also had a rough start to the season and is in the same boat as the Americans in that she can skate full out without having to worry about qualifying for the Final. Her skating is so understated and she is a complete joy to watch.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Mao Asada (JPN)
2) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
3) Alena Leonova (RUS)


Competitive History:


Mao Asada (JPN)-2nd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 6th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 8th 2010 NHK Trophy, 1st 2010 Worlds, 2nd 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 205.50 at 2010 Winter Olympics

Sofia Biryukova (RUS)-1st 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 6th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 6th 2010 Coup de Nice, 7th 2010 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 153.05 at 2010 Rostelecom Cup


Rachael Flatt (USA)-10th at 2011 Skate Canada, 12th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 6th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 182.49 at 2010 Winter Olympics


hristina Gao (USA)-5th at 2011 Cup of China, 4th 2011 World Juniors, 6th 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 167.14 at 2010 JGP Czech


Haruka Imai (JPN)-4th at 2011 Skate America, 3rd 2011 Gardena Spring Trophy, 2nd 2011 Asian Winter Games, 6th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 5th 2010 Skate Canada, 1st 2010 O Nepala; PB: 155.29 at 2010 Four Continents


Kiira Korpi (FIN)-6th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 9th 2011 Worlds, 3rd 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 Finlandia Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 169.74 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard


Amelie Lacoste (CAN)-6th at 2011 Skate Canada, 16th 2011 Worlds, 9th 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 156.26 at 2010 Skate Canada


Alena Leonova (RUS)-3rd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 4th at 2011 Skate Canada, th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Europeans, 9th 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 3rd 2010 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 183.92 at 2011 Worlds


Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)-3rd at 2011 Cup of China, 1st 2011 World Juniors, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP England, 1st 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 178.97 at 2010 JGP Austria


Agnes Zawadzki (USA)-8th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 3rd 2011 World Juniors, 4th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 6th 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 161.07 at 2011 Worlds 

2011 Rostelecom Cup: Pairs Preview

Two of the top pairs here have already qualified for the Grand Prix Final so its essentially a free event for them, but you can bet they'll still go all out to try and top one another. The fight for Bronze will be intense, so that is certainly the race to watch. The pairs skate their short Friday November 25th at 8:35 a.m. and their free Saturday November 26th at 8:45 a.m.

World Champions Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER) have struggled all season, in the short at Skate America and in the free at NHK Trophy, but I'm confident they've worked out the kinks and that both programs will come together in Russia. Even though they had trouble, they still managed a Gold and a Bronze, which has already earned them a spot in the Final. Another team guaranteed to compete in the Final is Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS), the only team to win both of their events thus far. Their programs are less difficult than the Germans, but as they showed two weeks ago in Japan, they can win when the Germans make mistakes. They'll also have the home-ice advantage if you believe in such things. Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA) after placing 4th at NHK Trophy have an outside chance of making the Grand Prix Final, though they'd have to win and that is highly unlikely. They will fight for the podium though and that could give them a shot at being a Grand Prix Final alternate. Katarina Gerboldt & Alexander Enbert (RUS) could also make the podium, especially on home ice. They were an impressive 4th at last year's Europeans, but we haven't seen much of them since. They were also .02 below the Italians at Cup of Nice this season so they'll look to overcome them and get that monkey off of their back. If they are at that level, they should grab a Bronze here in their lone Grand Prix. Another team looking to grab a medal is Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS). They had a disastrous Trophee Eric Bompard last week and I'm not entirely sure their programs are suited to their strengths, but if they hit them, they can contend for a medal. Then you have Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER) who looked so promising at the end of last season and then bombed at Skate America to finish last. They're looking at redemption and if they skate to their potential, they can be in that medal race as well. Ashley Cain & Joshua Reagan (USA) & Brittany Jones & Kurtis Gaskell are both making their senior debuts here. They finished 4th and 6th respectively at last year's World Junior Championships. They won't contend for medals unless something goes horribly wrong at the top, but this is a great opportunity to make a strong debut and improve their World rankings.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
2) Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS)
3) Gerboldt & Enbert (RUS)


Competitive History:


Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)-4th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 1st at 2011 Cup of Nice, 2nd 2011 O Nepela, 10th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 NRW Trophy, 6th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; 167.86 at 2011 Cup of Nice 

Ashley Cain & Joshua Reagan (USA)-4th 2011 World Juniors, 5th 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 JGP England, 6th 2010 JGP Czech; PB: 134.40 at 2011 World Juniors


Katarina Gerboldt & Alexander Enbert (RUS)-4th 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice; PB: 169.95 at 2011 Europeans


Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER)-8th at 2011 Skate America, 4th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 12th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2011 Bavarian Open, 3rd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 Ice Challenge, 7th 2010 NHK Trophy, 5th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 157.42 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard


Brittany Jones & Kurtis Gaskell (CAN)-6th 2011 World Juniors, 6th 2011 JGP Final, 4th 2010 JGP Germany, 6th 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 133.41 at 2010 World Juniors


Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (JPN)-1st at 2011 NHK Trophy, 1st at 2011 Cup of China, 4th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 3rd 2010 Worlds, 4th 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 213.15 at 2010 Europeans


Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)-3rd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 1st at 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Worlds, 3rd 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 217.85 at 2011 Worlds

Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS)-2nd 2011 World Juniors, 2nd 2011 JGP Final,

5th 2010 Skate America, 1st 2010 JGP England, 1st 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 159.79 at

2010 JGP Austria

2011 Rostelecom Cup: Ice Dance Preview

The 6th and final Grand Prix of the season is always bittersweet for me. It's arguably some of the best skating of the season, but then again it's the last time we get to see most of these skaters before Worlds, unless they make the Final. It's also the one event that I won't be able to watch in its entirety because it happens to fall on Thanksgiving weekend here in the States. Ice Dance is shaping up to be a nice event in Russia, as 5 of the 8 teams have medaled in their previous Grand Prix events including two Gold medalists. The dancers skate their short Friday November 25th at 12:20 p.m. EST and their free Saturday November 26th at 12:25 p.m.

Reigning World Champions Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA) have this title wrapped up, and as I've been saying all season, they won't face a challenge until they meet Virtue & Moir at the Final. They'll look to make technical adjustments from Skate America and up their performance quality in preparation for meeting their rivals in 2 weeks. Any color medal here will put them into the Grand Prix Final. Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) are skating at home and that, coupled with the incredibly high (too high in my opinion) scores they received winning Cup of China puts them in good stead to grab Silver. Their programs are very dramatic, which clearly appealed to the judges in China, and I suspect they'll have a similar effect on home ice. Any color medal here will put them into the Grand Prix Final. Kaitilyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN) are stronger than the Russians in my opinion, but they can't seem to get out of their own way and skate perfectly. But if this is anything like last season, they'll peak at Worlds, which ultimately matters most. Because this is their 3rd event, they've already qualified for the Grand Prix Final, that is unless Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA) or Isabella Tobias & Deividas Stagniunas (LTU) win this event, which won't happen. Both the French & Lithuanian teams won Bronze at their first event and though they are each fine teams, they medaled in relatively weak fields and neither team is much of a podium threat. Each team needs a win to make the Grand Prix Final. The one team that has an outside chance of upsetting the top 3 is Ekaterina Riazanova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS) though they had a weak start finishing 5th at Skate Canada. For some reason, the judges didn't take to their programs in Canada, but I trust they've made adjustments in the 3 weeks between events and will finish strong at home in Russia.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Davis & White (USA)
2) Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS)
3) Weaver & Poje (CAN)


Competitive History:


Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)-1st at 2011 Cup of China, 6th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Cup of China; PB: 163.52 at 2011 Cup of China


Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA)-3rd at 2011 Cup of China, 12th 2011 Worlds, 9th 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 NRW Trophy, 5th 2010 Skate Canada, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 1st 2010 Mont Blanc Trophy; PB: 140.86 at 2011 Worlds

Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA)-1st at 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 NHK Trophy; PB: 185.27 at 2011 Worlds 


Ekaterina Pushhkash & Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS)-6th at 2011 Skate Canada, 2nd 2011 World Juniors, 4th 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP Czech, 2nd 2010 JGP Japan; PB: 136.80 at 2010 JGP Czech


Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)-7th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 4th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 13th 2011 Worlds, 2nd Asian Winter Games, 7th 2010 Skate America, 7th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 133.33 at 2011 Worlds

Ekaterina Riazanova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS)-5th at 2011 Skate Canada, 6th 2011 Europeans, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 5th 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 146.79 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard 


Isabella Tobias & Deividas Stagniunas (LTU)-3rd at 2011 Skate America, 5th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 14th 2011 Worlds, 12th 2011 Europeans, 3rd 2010 NRW Trophy, 11th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 131.01 at 2011 Worlds


Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)-2nd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 2nd at 2011 Skate Canada, 5th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 160.32 at 2011 Worlds 

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Free Dance LIVE BLOG

1) Sara Hurtado & Andria Diaz (ESP)

     Music: Tristan and Isolde

• I love her braid but hate the rest of this ensemble
• They are very athletically built skaters
• Nice speed in and out of the curve lift
• This is very 1990s ice dance, very high drama
• Interesting counter-balance move, the exit was very scary though, I thought he was going to tep on her head or hand or something
• He falls on the twizzle
• Interesting twizzle variations
• Kind of sloppy overall

FD Score: 26.71 (TES) + 33.33 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 58.04
Total Score: 45.71 (SD) + 58.04 (FD) = 103.75

2) Kristina Gorshkova & Vitali Butikov (RUS)
     Music: Tango

• These are equally heinous costumes, just as in the short
• They start right off with their dance spin
• Everything is very choppy and stiff
• Pretty good twizzle set
• I don't understand these costumes at all
• This whole thing is very messy
• Very slow through the footwork
• I just can't get into this program because nothing is crisp and clean, its all very muddled
• This high drama nonsense is very 1990s Ice Dance

FD Score: 34.71 (TES) + 35.00 (PCS) = 69.72
Total Score: 48.77 (SD) + 69.72 (FD) = 118.48

3) Xintong Huang & Xue Zheng (CHN)
     Music: Libertango

• Slight unison issue in twizzles
• A few awkward transitions the the big lift
• Some of their transitions are a bit strange
• Very slow in the dance spin
• That haircutter lift is very common, lacks creativity
• This program just isn't doing it for me today, there was no spark

FD Score: 38.03 (TES) + 37.95 (PCS) = 75.98
Total Score: 50.71 (SD) + 75.98 (FD) = 126.69

4) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
     Music: Prelude in E Minor by Chopin

• This is a very romantic program
• The technique and the connection between them has improved with every event
• She has fantastic upper body carriage as does he
• The height difference bothers me less and less each time I see it
• That lift with Evan in an arabesque is fantastic
• I still don't know if I like this muzak feel in the middle section
• Nice speed
• Same speed in and out of the straight line lift, very good
• They get way too close on the twizzles and Madi sits it down, too bad about that
• I love the speed and positions of the rotational lift
• Her upside down camel position is very nice in the dance spin 
• Aside from the freak twizzle fall, a very nice outing for them
• I'm obsessed with her hair, I have no idea how she gets it like that, its's very Romeo and Juliet

FD Score: 39.29 (TES) + 40.64 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 78.93
Total Score: 52.01 (SD) + 78.93 (FD) = 130.94

5) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)
     Music: Ave Maria

• She always crosses herself going onto the ice
• They carry very nice speed
• I love how deep they get into the knees
• I'd prefer her hair down and flowing
• I really like the twizzles facing one another, it's nice visually
• Sometimes he looks really unsteady lifting her, but she's so small
• I love the position on that dance spin, but the speed is nearly gone by the end
• The pace is so fast, that they always look a little wild by the end trying to keep up
• I do believe that was better than at NHK though

FD Score: 37.65 (TES) + 44.50 (PCS) = 82.15
Total Score: 58.17 (SD) + 82.15 (FD) = 140.32

6) Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)
     Music: La Strada

• This program was gorgeous at Skate Canada, if they just do it the same way
• This character piece looks lovely on them
• I love that headtap lift, it's very unique
• Very good speed throughout
• That hand in the crotch lift is just awkward all around
• That straight line lift takes so much strength
• Tanith lift, I don't know the man has any idea where he's going when she is right in his face like that
• They'll get very high marks for that skate

FD Score: 42.43 (TES) + 46.71 (PCS) = 89.14
Total Score: 64.62 (SD) + 89.76 (FD) = 153.76

7) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)
     Music: The Feeling Begins, Passion, In The Garden

• Very nice opening lift
• I still don't htink that the costuming looks World Class, but I don't know how else you make somebody look like a Mummy
• He is fantastic, I could just watch him all day
• This is a very complete program, it tells a story from beginning to end and they carry the theme throughout
• I don't think you could get more of a contrast from thsi to Virtue & Moir
• All of the music goes together so well, nothing is choppy
• They  have fantastic speed, I think the home crowd is really propelling them and this is a piece that the audience can really get into
• And they end the way they started
• They loved that at home and they should be proud

FD Score: 47.33 (TES) + 50.71 (PCS) = 98.04
Total Score: 66.52 (SD) + 98.04 (FD) = 164.56

8) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)
     Music: Funny Face

• They are the class of the field
• This piece is classic Virtue & Moir
• A little problem with that overhead lift, choppy transitions
• They make this look so easy
• Its so classic old Hollywood
• They take a lot of risk with these lifts
• Very nice, clean program
• They're very happy with that

FD Score: 50.96 (TES) + 55.79 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 105.75
Total Score: 71.18 (SD) + 105.75 (FD) = 176.93

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SD	FD
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	176.93	1	1
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	164.56	2	2
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	153.76	3	3
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	140.32	4	4
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	130.94	5	5
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	126.69	6	6
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	118.48	7	7
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	103.75	8	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	105.75	50.96		55.79	9.32	9.00	9.43	9.46	9.50	1.00	#8
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	98.04	47.33		50.71	8.39	8.11	8.61	8.71	8.71	0.00	#7
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	89.14	42.43		46.71	7.75	7.46	7.96	7.93	8.07	0.00	#6
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	82.15	37.65		44.50	7.57	7.04	7.61	7.54	7.57	0.00	#5
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	78.93	39.29		40.64	6.86	6.54	6.64	7.04	6.93	1.00	#4
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	75.98	38.03		37.95	6.46	6.07	6.43	6.57	6.25	0.00	#3
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	69.71	34.71		35.00	6.21	5.46	5.89	5.93	5.86	0.00	#2
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	58.04	26.71		33.33	5.68	5.25	5.50	5.93	5.61	2.00	#1

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Ladies Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Lena Marrocco (FRA)
     Music: Notre Dame de Paris

• Hello Esmerelda!
• I missed the 1st 30 seconds so I don't know how she started off
• She's a decent little jumper when she's on...but her arms tend to kind of do whatever they want without exact placement
• She does a decent job of acting the character as well
• I'd like her to look up and out more
• This program looks very junior-ish, but she is very young
• Not really much too this program in the way of composition, I don't see the spins or footwork receiving very great levels
• She finally looked up on that spiral!
• A lot of little errors here and there

FS Score: 43.14 (TES) + 39.88 (PCS) = 83.02
Total Score: 43.95 (SP) + 83.02 (FS) = 126.97

2) Yretha Silete (FRA)
     Music: Xotica

• Hello loud costume
• Those hair clips + flower + the dangles in the back are really distracting
• Fall on the opening jump
• She has a lot of power in those legs
• At least this program has more in the way of choreography than Marrocco
• She's taken 2 very hard falls, both out of jumps that looked underrotated
• That split jump needs more height and stretch if she's going to do it
• All her jump landings are shaky
• I don't know how those loose pieces on her costume aren't driving her nuts in the spins and jumps
• I hope she's not hurt after those hard falls she took

FS Score: 47.60 (TES) + 42.05 (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 87.65
Total Score: 48.25 (SP) + 87.65 (FS) = 135.90

3) Sonia LaFuente (ES)
     Music: Concierto de Aranjuez

• I've had quite enough Aranjuez for one event thank you
• Hand down on the opening jump
• Sonia is looking pretty good so far
• Hardly any height at all on these jumps, but she's landing at least
• She could really straighten out her free let on that sit spin and point the foot
• There is no attempt at expression here at all
• Very nice hair cutter spin position, ended after the music

FS Score: 42.99 (TES) + 43.82 (PCS)  = 86.81
Total Score: 49.51 (SP) + 86.81 (FS) = 136.32

4) Mae Berenice Meite (FRA)
     Music: Fever, Jessica's Theme, Hey Pachuko

• This costume is just way too much
• And when you can see your tights in the back, you know the dress is cut to low
• She is mostly hitting the jumps
• The other elements of her program are slowly improving each competition
• The home crowd is loving her
• Her free leg is wrapped really high
• She is putting on a show for the home crowd

FS Score: 51.87 (TES) + 44.08 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 94.95
Total Score: 50.49 (SP) + 94.95 (FS) = 145.44

5) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
     Music: Sunset Boulevard

• Nice 3 jump combo
• It's fun to watch the sleeve puffs as she rotates her jumps
• If we have to hear Webber, I'm glad it's something other than Phantom or Evita
• So much passion in this footwork, She's a much different skater now after the confidence boost of winning Bronze at Skate America
• This program is a joy to watch, she's really giving it everything she has

FS Score: 48.59 (TES) + 52.15 (PCS) = 100.74
Total Score: 54.16 (SP) + 100.74 (FS) = 154.90

6) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
     Music: Violin Concerto

• I like this music on her a lot
• She looks so much more confident than she did in China
• She is flying through this beginning, but its a little sloppy
• She still looks like a little girl wearing big girl clothes
• 2nd popped jump, she's had a look of surprise on her face both times
• A skate with 2 singles is not going to put any pressure on the top ladies
• She is flying through everything, not taking time to hit any positions or feel the music
• She's a very emotional skater, in China she was crying after a decent skate, and now after two pops she's laughing at herself

FS Score: 51.66 (TES) + 53.88 (PCS) = 105.54
Total Score: 55.77 (SP) + 105.54 (FS) = 161.31

7) Alissa Czisny (USA)
     Music: Valse Triste

• 2 clean triples, and then she singles the axel
• Gorgeous spiral of course
• Alissa & Johnny Weir could've done pairs because the both jump and spin the same way
• Beautiful arch in the back on the camel
• Triple-double, no attempt at the 3-3 combo today
• There we go with a clean double axel
• All of the jumps seem to be a little pitched forward, they aren't perfect but she's learned to fight
• That straight leg and pointed toe on the sit spin are to die for!
• She is interpreting the music and performing much better overall here than she did at Skate America
• Why do I even comment on the spins, they're always going to be beautiful!
• She should be pretty happy with that, will be enough to medal

FS Score: 60.06 (TES) + 61.84 (PCS)  = 121.90
Total Score: 57.25 (SP) + 121.90 (FS) = 179.15

8) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
     Music: Adagio from Concerto 3 by Mozart

• Huge spring on the opening triple
• Now she's doubling jumps
• Really great speed as usual
• There is a smile finally!
• Really tight rotation, body position is perpendicular to the ice

FS Score: 66.97 (TES) + 63.65 (PCS) = 119.62
Total Score: 59.70 (SP) + 119.62 (FS) = 179.32

9) Elizaveta Tuktamisheva (RUS)
     Music: Latin Selection

• I wish she'd soften her hands
• Nice 3-3 combination!
• She's performing a little more today than she did in Canada
• This program still looks junior-ish, which it should since she's 14
• We'll see if the judges place her above or below the veterans, there's hardly room between them
• She really needs to straighten that foot on the sit spin
• What a little jumping bean!
• Very nice skate from Liza, do they give it to her? I think they have to unless there were deductions that we didn't see

FS Score: 63.66 (TES) + 57.19 (PCS) = 120.85
Total Score: 62.04 (SP) + 120.85 (FS) = 182.89

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Elizaveta TUKTAMISHEVA	RUS	182.89	1	2
2	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	179.32	2	3
3	Alissa CZISNY	USA	179.15	3	1
4	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	161.31	4	4
5	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	154.90	5	5
6	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	145.44	6	6
7	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	136.32	7	8
8	Yretha SILETE	FRA	135.90	8	7
9	Lena MARROCCO	FRA	126.97	9	9

Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES +   PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Alissa CZISNY USA 121.90 60.06   61.84 7.86 6.96 8.04 7.75 8.04 0.00 #7 2 Elizaveta TUKTAMISHEVA RUS 120.85 63.66   57.19 7.07 6.61 7.54 7.14 7.39 0.00 #9 3 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 119.62 55.97   63.65 8.11 7.50 7.82 8.14 8.21 0.00 #8 4 Kanako MURAKAMI JPN 105.54 51.66   53.88 7.04 6.25 6.82 6.82 6.75 0.00 #6 5 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 100.74 48.59   52.15 6.57 6.14 6.64 6.57 6.68 0.00 #5 6 Mae Berenice MEITE FRA 94.95 51.87   44.08 5.79 5.00 5.61 5.61 5.54 1.00 #4 7 Yretha SILETE FRA 87.65 47.60   42.05 5.39 4.93 5.25 5.46 5.25 2.00 #2 8 Sonia LAFUENTE ESP 86.81 42.99   43.82 5.79 5.21 5.50 5.50 5.39 0.00 #3 9 Lena MARROCCO FRA 83.02 43.14   39.88 5.29 4.46 5.14 5.04 5.00 0.00 #1