2013 Skate America: Pairs Short Program Recap

Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS) are world class.  Their commitment to the characters sets them apart from everyone else but the Germans. The power, speed, and precision don't hurt either. I feel like I'm watching a piece of theatre when I watch them skate. The impressive thing is that your eye goes to both of them equally and not just to one or the other. Even down to the death spiral, they never break character. Total Short Program Score: 83.05

I will try to stifle my hatred of the "ass up" death spiral because I loved the program as a whole. I personally love light, whimsical short programs and this was certainly it. The costumes were unique without being over the top and their lifts are always spectacular. I am enamored with that final spin and how the speed never dissipates when they change levels. The peck on the cheek was to die for. Total Short Program Score: 71.51

I was impressed by Stolbova & Klimov (RUS) minus his odd facial hair. They had a quiet power about them, very commanding, and very Russian. This program is going places and they are ready to step up as the 2nd Russian pair team. Nothing about the piece blew my socks off, but they are an easy team to watch, it didn't feel anxious or nervous like I do with a lot of pair teams. Total Short Program Score: 64.80

Berton & Hotarek (ITA) had an acrobatic short to say the least. That one-handed lift was unreal and everything about the piece screamed "circus trick". I couldn't take anything in the program seriously because of that insane shade of yellow. Total Short Program Score: 63.85

Okay so I was really surprised by Castelli & Shnapir (USA) today. After being default US champs, you guys really stepped it up. Speed and attack were great and aside from Simon doubling that SBS jump, the rest was awesome. They have a lot to work with in that great throw 3Sal, a pizzazzy footwork sequence, thrilling final lift, and the overall energy. Hopefully the confidence stays up for the free and the rest of the season. Total Short Program Score: 62.56

There is a fine line between aggressive and frantic. Today Denney & Coughlin (USA) stumbled over that line. Tosca is a dramatic piece, but it was all over the top. The twist was so high and the unison was perfect on the SBS jumps, but she couldn't possibly maintain that pace and wiped out on the throw. The piece didn't do much for me, probably because the music is so "been there done that". I much preferred Castelli & Shnapir. Total Short Program Score: 62.06 

Overall I got a good vibe from Zhang & Toth (USA) today. They had the double fall on the SBS jumps, but the twist, throw, and lifts were strong. The Carousel Waltz is music they can feed off of. I get his character, but she needs to work more on establishing hers. The final pose was so Broadway! Total Short Program Score: 55.83

I liked Purdy & Marinaro's (CAN) drama-filled opening, but the emotion never went anywhere for me. It's Unchained Melody, amp up the romance for heaven's sake! She doesn't seem gritty enough for a pair girl, you have to jam that leg out and land those elements girlfriend! I think this piece of music was too mature for a young team. Total Short Program Score: 50.26

2013 Skate America: Short Dance Recap

What else is there to say about Davis & White (USA)? If I'm speechless, you know it's real and it's deep. This piece was really about Charlie for me. My eye went to him and Meryl was kind of there in the background. Is it just me or is his extension improving along with his performance quality? Love, love, loved it. I could have just as easily been watching the Grand Prix Final as the first major event of the season...they are in that good of shape. Short Dance Total: 75.70

Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA) put the DANCE in Ice Dance. I'm OBSESSED with this choreography! This is a perfect example of skating a full piece from beginning to end. They really told a complete story. I'm partial to a good show tune, but regardless, they are on my radar for the Olympic podium. Short Dance Total: 69.88

Shibutani & Shibutani (USA) rose to the occasion and brought it tonight. Alex is really catching my eye this year, but I want her to step it up and pull focus. I'm loving this piece and the fact that they didn't pick the most obvious Michael Buble pieces. Marina does it again, the woman can do no wrong. This piece has potential and they are going places with it. Short Dance Total: 61.26

Hubbell & Donohue (USA) just don't totally have it for me. I'm not sure why, but they are just a little B-team for me. Zach is awesome, but Madison doesn't do so much for me. She's a little cash for clunkers. He is all over my radar, and for his sake, I hope she can amp up the excitement. Short Dance Total: 60.71

I had no strong feelings about Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE) tonight. They do have a nice flow and smoothness to their work, but the choreography and themes of the program did nothing much for me. Short Dance Total: 54.53

Reed & Reed (JPN) were just meh for me. Twizzle issue aside, the whole piece just looked too calculated and not nearly dancy enough. They were too stiff and the ending just felt out of control for me. It felt like it was about to unravel at any moment...a little Roughtown USA. Short Dance Total: 54.28

Carron & Jones (FRA) had me with their musical selection, and they're delightful to look at, but the program didn't build or really go anywhere. They are charming and the piece has potential if they can build up the excitement throughout the season. Short Dance Total: 54.10

Tobias & Stagniunas (LTU) have a great look and this was a cute program, but she needs to amp up the vavavoom. That, or they need to do A Chorus Line because she's obviously Val. His posture seemed a little clunky today, as did that rotational lift. I hope they clean that up. Short Dance Total: 53.17

2013 Skate America: Ice Dance Preview

And now for my favorite event of them all...Ice Dance! I'm a dancer and a dancer dances, so obviously this is my jam. Short dance kicks of tomorrow (Friday) at 8:45 and we'll see that free Saturday night in the money spot at 9:00.

Detroit is in for a treat as hometown kids and reigning World Camps Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA) grace us with their presence. You know they are going to be in Olympic form already, so lord only knows how phenom they will look by February. Around here, we are 100% thrilled with their program choices and can't wait to see them perform the heck out of them. They haven't lost an event since the 2012 Worlds and I have a strong suspicion they will continue their winning streak all through Sochi in February.



Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA) are the

most likely silver medalists, but they are know to be streaky. Their switch to Igor Shpilband seems to have really settled them and they are forming their identity as artists. I cannot wait to see their 42nd street Short Dance! They are certainly one of the hottest Ice Dance couples around, so that's never a bad thing. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) are scaring me with their program choices this season. Michael Buble for the short is perfect for them. That is classic Shib Sib style. However, the Michael Jackson free dance? When I think of a Michael Jackson free dance I think of that epic Bourne & Kraatz fail in Salt Lake in 2002. This just doesn't seem like it will suit their classical style and elegant lines, which is a huge risk to take in an Olympic year. But, I'm an artist and I love risk here in there, and I trust Marina, so more power to them. I bet you anything that this is one of those programs that undergoes major changes in composition, choreography, and costuming by Sochi.

Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue (USA) are the bubble team in US

Ice Dance. The top three are very clearly established in Davis/White, Chock/Bates, and Shibutani/Shibutani, but if one of those team would happen to have an injury or a rough GP series, they could have a shot at the Olympics. It's an outside shot, but still a shot nonetheless. Their strength is their chemistry, which is the one thing that Marina & Igor's teams have been criticized for. The Big Bad Voodoo Daddy short seems perfect for them and I expect that their Nocturne free should be quite sensual. They have an outside shot at the podium if they are perfect and others have problems.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Davis & White (USA)
Silver: Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA)
Bronze: Shibutani & Shibutani (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE)
Carron & Jones (FRA)
Reed & Reed (JPN)
Tobias & Stagniunas (LTU)
Hubbell & Donohue (USA)

2013 Skate America: Pairs Preview

Pairs is a discipline I run hot and cold with. I was all about them after that 2002 debacle and then they faded away for me until Shen & Zhao won the Olympic Gold in 2010. The rivalry between Savchenko & Szolkowy and Volosozhar & Trankov has been thrilling for me in the past two seasons and I truly hope they are back and forth up until their Olympic Free Skate. That being said, let's talk about this event. The paris will skate their short Saturday 10/19 at 12:00pm EST and their free on Sunday 10/20 at 2:30pm EST.

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS) are the overwhelming favorites here. They will win unless they withdraw. I am hearing fantastic things about their Jesus Christ Superstar free (notice the abundance of British musical theatre tunes at this event) and I'm sure they won't disappoint. This event will be about getting their timing down and building strength and speed so they can ace this season. Anyone in the arena to watch them live in Detroit will be in for a treat.

Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) have been developing a healthy rivalry with their

countrymen Duhamel & Radford, and it's been great for their performance over the past two seasons.They are coming off of a win at the US Classic in Salt Lake City and US events have always treated them well. I'm not sure what to make of their Fellini Medley free skate, but they've always been a little offbeat in their choices. They're a contender for a Grand Prix Final spot and they have a great shot at taking silver here to keep themselves in the running.

Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA) seem to be the logical choices for the third podium spot. Their Phantom of the Opera free skate (another ALW?) should be an overdramatized tacky mess, but they are consistent which is something most pairs cannot say. The rumor mill was busy last season that they weren't getting along anymore and/or that John's body was too wrecked to compete, but I think they'll press on through this season to make it to the big dance.




Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS) are in a crucial year in

their career. There are so many young powerful Russian pairs, they aren't too far removed from that, so they better step it up if they are going to make that Olympic team. A good showing here will set them on the right track.

Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA) are my prediction for the next US pair to break up and fizzle out. They essentially won the US title by default last season because so  many top teams were injured. Rumors flew that they had a poor work ethic and they were only staying together so they could go to worlds. They aren't a favorite for the Olympic team, but if they want to change the minds of US Figure Skating, they best hold it together here.






Podium Predictions:
Gold: Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)
Silver: Moore-Towers & Moscovitch (CAN)
Brozne: Denney & Coughlin (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Purdy/Marinaro (CAN)
Berton/Hotarek (ITA)
Stolbova/Klimov (RUS)
Castelli/Shnapir (USA)
Zhang/Bartholomay (USA)

2013 Skate America: Ladies Preview

We won't see the Ladies until Saturday (10/19) at 1:30pm EST for their short program and then on Sunday (10/20) at 4:15pm EST for their free. This Ladies field is all over the place, and while there are about 3 clear cut favorites, anything could happen.

Mao Asada (JPN) is my personal favorite for the Olympic Gold Medal this season, but I'm not sure how much of that is from my heart and how much is from my head. Regardless, let's start with her. After all the changes of coaches and jump technique shenanigans, she finally seems settled. Her World medal last season proved that. She was bested by Yuna, yet again, but Yuna is injured which could give Mao the space she needs to pass by. Starting off well here will be important for Mao's confidence and luckily, she only has two major competitors to work against. She is returning to her classical roots for both programs (Chopin & Rachmaninov) and though I loved her spunky short last season, classic Mao is best suited for the big song and dance of the Olympic season.

Ashley Wagner (USA) is our best hope for an Olympic medal this season, but she won't do it without

the triple-triple. She did it at the Japan Open and she needs to do it here, at least attempt it, or I don't think it will happen all season. She won Skate America last year so she has nothing to prove in terms of winning the event. I would rather she try the triple-triple, fall, and not win the event, rather than skipping it to play it safe. Grand Prix titles are great, but we only really remember Olympic medalists. Julia Sebestyen, anybody? Give us that sexy Romeo & Juliet and give us that 3-3 combo and we will all be thrilled to death!

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) is a tale of two skaters. She blew us away her first year on the GP circuit with her jumps and her Slutskaya-fierce dramatics, but last year she fizzled out. Which skater is she? How is the Plushenko circus affecting her? Will she even make that Olympic team? There are so many questions surrounding this skater, and hopefully we will get some answers this week.






Elena Radionova (RUS) is the 2013 version of the 2011 Tuktamysheva.

She is the next best thing in a long line of "next best thing" Russian figure skaters. She is the reigning Junior World Champ and she's knocking at the door of the other Russian ladies. She's a teeny tiny peanut with great jumps until I see otherwise, but in a field of head cases, she could win out.

Samantha Cesario (USA) is one of my new favorites because she is a diva. She has a swagger and she knows it. She's not afraid of how she comes across and that is exciting for US Figure Skating. She has that pizzazz that we've been lacking and I'm so interested to see how she will do in the National spotlight. This could go either way.






Podium Predictions:
Gold: Mao Asada (JPN)
Silver: Ashley Wagner (USA)
Bronze: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)

The Rest of the Field:
Mae Berenice Meite (FRA)
Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
Elena Radionova (RUS)
Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
Samantha Cesario (USA)
Caroline Zhang (USA)