2016 US Figure Skating Championships: Dance Recap

This Senior Dance event had me on the edge of my seat for months following the Grand Prix Final. All I can say is that the judges finally got it right...

1. First and foremost, who will have the most garish costumes and music?
1. The team that did "Kung Fu Piano" has the most over the top costuming.
2. Will the judging be fair?
1. In my opinion, they finally got it right.
3. Will any of the placements have fans in an uproar?
1. For once, no! Many people would argue that Hubbell/Donohue should've finished 2nd but I don't love their free nearly as much as their short.
4. Which free skate will make cry? (eh hem, Shibutanis)
1. Yes, I sobbed while they skated to "Fix You" and I sobbed again when they realized they won!
5. Will there be any significant movements from the Short to the Free?
1. I wouldn't call it significant in terms of jumping several places, but moving from 2nd to 1st is significant in Ice Dance,
6. Will Chock & Bates be given an unfair bump by the judges because they are International favorites?
1. I would argue they got a bump in the short, but luckily, the free was scored properly. However, many would argue they got an unfair bump in the free.
7. Which coach will wear the biggest scarf?
1. My eyes may have deceived me, but I didn't notice any overwhelmingly large scarves! 
8. Will Marina combust if her Shibutanis lose, yet again, to former students Chock & Bates?
1. She did not have to combust because she won, but she did look genuinely surprised and thrilled!
9. Will Hubbell and Donohue even be in the gold medal conversation or will there be, as in the past, a clear drop off between 2nd and 3rd?
1. They were close in the short, not close enough in my opinion, but the distance between 2nd and 3rd was significant.
10. Can Hawayek & Baker step up and challenge for 3rd or will they just fall by the wayside as yet another great junior team?
1. This was a rough season for them with injury and illness. Next year is crucial for them and they will need special special programs in order to stay in the conversation and not go the way of Aldridge & Eaton as former junior champs who couldn't make an impact as senior competitors. 
11. Does Alexandra Aldridge re-enter the conversation with her new pair-turned-dance partner Matthew Blackmer?
1. They had a respectable debut and have potential, but you know she isn't happy to have placed below her former partner Daniel Eaton. 
12. Will anyone else impress us?
1. I was impressed by Cannuscio & McManus. If you had asked me two days ago, I would say that 5th was the bet they could've finished and jumping over Hawayek & Baker was crucial for them. In the past I've found their free dances over the top and maybe even tacky, but this free was elegant, sophisticated, and most importantly to me, extremely well acted.
13. What will be trending among skating tweeters after this event? (you know we won’t all be happy)
1. After taking the temperature of the twitter fans, we are unabashedly thrilled for the Shibutanis and a little bit sad for Hubbell & Donohue.
14. And most importantly, will Ann Jensen and I get our artistry and unicorns?
1. Ann and I did get our artistry and unicorns in the form of Maia & Alex Shibutani!

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Free Dance Commentary

1) Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)

     Music: Chale Chalo, Mon Amour

• Very courageous for them to get up and skate after that horrible warm-up accident
• I like idea of the opening sequence of poses, but it was a little labored
• Good strong twizzle sequence from them
• They seem to have stagnated, I'm not really sure what's going on with their training
• I don't like these costumes at all, but I get where they're going with them
• The whole thing seems a little slow to me, which may be partly due to that nasty fall in warm-up
• I like the rotational lift, but the exit was a bit rough
• Chris is absolutely wincing in pain after that horrible crash in warm-up

FD Score: 38.36 (TES) + 36.50 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 73.86

Total Score: 49.36 (SD) + 73.86 (FD) = 123.22

2) Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (USA)

     Music: Walking in the Sand

• They have a very long and choreographed entrance which I like
• I like the simplicity of the costumes and that keyhole cut on the front of her dress
• That split position straight line lift is fantastic, showing great control
• She exits the 1st twizzle one rotation before he does
• I like this music and it's bluesy undertones
• His rise and fall on the rotational lift is exquisite
• They have a very nice look together with her exotic features and his "All-American" quality
• They are very clean in their entrances and exits to lifts with smooth transitions between positions
• She has a beautiful arch in her back on the inverted camel dance spin
• What a lovely program, a completely program I must add
• This has a lot of growing room and should be fantastic by US Nationals

FD Score: 39.29 (TES) + 36.29 (PCS) = 75.58

Total Score: 50.81 (SD) + 75.58 (FD) = 126.39

3) Lorenza Alessandrini & Simone Vaturi (ITA)

     Music: Tosca

• That's a very overdone opening pose
• These costumes look very tacky to me, they attempt to look "period" but end up looking cheap
• They start out with the dance spin which is unusual
• She really needs to point her feet
• Something about her looks very frail to me
• I like the entrance into the twizzles, I hardly saw them coming
• Twizzles have gotten much more intricate with IJS
• Something about this program looks very old fashioned to me, it seems like a program that we would've seen in 2002
• Her costume bodice is too short in the bottom, enough said
• That ending was so tacky, that should've been a deduction as programs are supposed to be "uplifting" in nature

FD Score: 39.72 (TES) + 39.20 (PCS) = 78.92

Total Score: 54.37 (SD) + 78.92 (FD) = 133.29

4) Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi (GER)

     Music: Romeo & Juliet 

• Is this voice track new for this competition?
• I know  they've adjusted their music several times because it was thought not to have the necessary "dance beat"
• This whole piece seems a little slow to me
• She shows nice flexibility in the dance spin
• That approach to the straight line lift looks like they are going into a pairs split twist
• I like dramatic programs, but again, this seems very 2002 to me
• I don't find this piece to be uplifting either
• They are really picking up speed as they go along, almost to the point of being out of control in the final section
• I love the ending, but you aren't supposed to "die" in ice dance under the new rules

FD Score: 39.28 (TES) + 41.15 (PCS) = 80.43

Total Score: 55.69 (SD) + 80.43 (FD) = 136.12

5) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)

     Music: Chattanooga Choo Choo, In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade

• They are are just precious, and Maia is looking more like a diva every day, she commands more attention each and every competition where Alex used to be the focal point
• This program is find for this season as they're still young, but they need to branch into new styles next season
• The kids were born twizzling and they fit perfectly with In The Mood
• I love this dress on her, I hope they stay with this one
• Fantastic transitions on the first lift!
• Different spin positions from what we usually see, which is refreshing
• While I do love them, I find the middle section of this program boring, it just drags a little fo rme
• I LOVE Alex's sweater vest
• I hate to say it, but parts of this program still look junior-ish to me
• I like that we finish up with In the Mood again, it's very cyclical
• Great final pose on that last beat
• They are so happy with themselves as they should be

FD Score: 45.84 (TES) + 46.99 (PCS) = 92.83

Total Score: 59.02 (SD) + 92.83 (FD) = 151.85

6) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

     Music: Je Suis Malade

• This is a gorgeous, simple program, and by simple I mean no unnecessary frills or embellishments
• They look so great together, probably moreso than any team out there
• That dance spin is fantastic
• I'm glad they went with a more obscure piece of music after Moulin Rouge last season
• They have very even speed throughout the program
• Great use of the arms in the twizzles
• This is a very emotional program, and its genuine, which is great to see
• I love that slightly wild quality they have about them, they are a little rougher around the edges than Davis/White or Virtue/Moir but I feel that their emotion is more genuine

FD Score: 44.30 (TES) + 48.39 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 91.69

Total Score: 60.07 (SD) + 91.69 (FD) = 151.76

7) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)

     Music: Ave Maria

• I love their look, they're gorgeous
• They could be one of my favorite teams and one of the best in the world if they could stay out of their own way and avoid the simple errors
• This team and Weaver & Poje have the best chemistry of any of the top dance teams in the world today
• She always comes out aggressive and ready to perform while Nikita tends to look more nervous and reserved
• Slight slip from him there, caught too deep of an edge
• He exits the 1st twizzle too early, though it's harder to pick out because they twizzle facing away from one another
• Such excellent performers, I just love the genuineness of their emotion
• This piece has very nice speed 
• They have a few bobbles here and there, mostly Nikita, but I really like the program and I can see it being amazing by Worlds

FD Score: 40.35 (TES) + 47.30 (PCS) = 87.65

Total Score: 61.83 (SD) + 87.65 (FD) = 149.48

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SD	FD
1	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA	151.85	3	1
2	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	151.76	2	2
3	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	149.48	1	3
4	Nelli ZHIGANSHINA / Alexander GAZSI	GER	136.12	4	4
5	Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI	ITA	133.29	5	5
6	Lynn KRIENGKRAIRUT / Logan GIULIETTI-SCHMITT	USA	126.39	6	6
7	Cathy REED / Chris REED	JPN	123.22	8	7
WD	Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM	CAN		7

Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES + PCS + SS TR PE CC IT Ded. - StN. 1 Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI USA 92.83 45.84 46.99 7.86 7.64 8.00 7.86 7.93 0.00 #6 2 Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE CAN 91.69 44.30 48.39 7.93 7.82 8.29 8.25 8.25 1.00 #7 3 Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV RUS 87.65 40.35 47.30 7.89 7.68 7.89 8.07 8.04 0.00 #8 4 Nelli ZHIGANSHINA / Alexander GAZSI GER 80.43 39.28 41.15 6.96 6.54 7.00 7.00 7.00 0.00 #5 5 Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI ITA 78.92 39.72 39.20 6.50 6.29 6.71 6.64 6.71 0.00 #4 6 Lynn KRIENGKRAIRUT / Logan GIULIETTI-SCHMITT USA 75.58 39.29 36.29 6.07 5.75 6.07 6.36 6.21 0.00 #3 7 Cathy REED / Chris REED JPN 73.86 38.36 36.50 6.18 5.86 6.04 6.29 6.18 1.00 #1 WD Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM CAN #2

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of China Short Dance LIVE BLOG

3:24 I'm anxiously awaiting the Live feed, let's hope icenetwork gets it together soon!
3:29 Emily and Todd look very cute, it's great to see Emily back on competition ice!
3:31 We have some wild and crazy costumes from Yu & Wang, where are the maracas?
3:31 I love Charlotte Lichtman's dress, Dean is in solid black as were all the other Zouva & Shpilband-coached me in the short dance
3:34 It seems Igor has traveled with the teams this weekend and Marina is at home

1) Emily Samuelson & Todd Gilles
   Music: Samba, Mambo, Samba

• I don't know how I feel about these costumes, I'd love to see at least a little color or sparkle
• Really nice positions on that straight line lift
• Fabulous toe point and straight leg lines from Emily as used to
• The leg lines are a little broken in the Rhumba sequence, the unison needs work
• Really slow twizzles, some unison issues
• This step sequence looks quite labored to me, they seem to be perhaps under conditioned?

SD Score: 22.51 (TES) + 21.13 (PCS) = 43.64

2) Xiaoyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)
   Music: Cha Cha, Mambo, Rhumba

• Nice twizzle sequences
• I'm going to have nightmares about these costumes
• Good speed and attack going into this Rhumba sequence
• They're improved from last season which is great to see
• Very good unison on the circular not-touching step sequence, but the speed could increase for my taste
• Slight stumble by her right before the end but she held on

SD Score: 27.58 (TES) + 21.78 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 48.36

 3) Charlotte Lichtman & Dean Copely (USA)
   Music: Mambo No. 5, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps

• I love these guys, they're so sassy
• This is a perfect example of Zoueva/Shpilband catering to each team's needs and making them stand out in what they do
• Nice smooth entrance into the 1st Rhumba sequence, good smooth edgework
• Good twizzle work, I appreciate how close together they are
• Charlotte is a little stiff in her upper body today, I'd like to see her relax a little more out there
• Slight stumble by Dean in the circular not-touching step sequence, that will effect the level 
• These guys look just a little bit nervous, understandable for their first Senior Grand Prix but it's been a solid debut thus far
• They look solid, nothing junior-ish about this program

SD Score: 18.79 (TES) + 21.47 (PCS) = 40.26

 4) Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR)
   Music: El Bess del Findl, Let's Get Loud

• They could stand to point their feet harder and really stretch through the free leg in the Rhumba sequences
• And here's our second "Let's Get Loud" of the day; how many more should I expect? I like the small detail work in the circular step sequence from the hand and head gestures to the shimmies
• Very odd ending pose, I couldn't tell if she fell or if that was the choreography

SD Score: 28.85 (TES) + 25.04  (PCS) = 53.89

5) Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN)
   Music: Mambo, Rhumba, Samba

• These costumes are killing me, my eyes!
• She bails a little early on the first twizzle set
• Her free arm is really stiff on this 1st Rhumba set, but their speed is nice
• I missed what happened, but it looked like a botched lift or something going into the circular step sequence
• Nice hydroblade move, I appreciate that people are still doing those, though this one wasn't the best I've seen by any means
• I think they're running out of steam here at the end
• Dramatic final position upside down
• That lift will receive zero points

SD Score: 21.73 (TES) + 23.34 (PCS) = 45.07

 6) Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA)
   Music: Mambo, Rhumba, Mambo

• Slight unison issue in twizzles, but decent speed
• She has a very nice free arm in the 1st Rhumba sequence, expressive and free-flowing
• Something about this program isn't really doing much for me, it's just not dynamic enough, a little flat thus far
• It begins to pick up a little more with the 2nd piece of music
• They're losing a little control in the step sequence, it's getting a bit wild
• I like they're energy, but they need more polish

SD Score: 25.35 (TES) + 27.06 (PCS) = 52.41

 7) Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)
   Music: Samba, Rhumba, Samba

• They have never looked like stars to me, I wonder how long they can honestly hold onto the top spot in Russia?
• Botched exit form the 1st twizzle set
• I love me some theatrics, but she is way over the top in her facial expressions, even for me!
• Their speed is good, but she is flailing out of control
• This program is very 1990s Russian ice dance

SD Score: 32.50 (TES) + 33.23 (PCS) = 65.73

 8) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)
   Music: Batuca, Skip to the Bip, Jazz Machine

• I like Maia's new dress, much more mature than the old blue dress
• They look like a senior team
• Very quick footwork, precision is key
• That move where Alex flips her around with one arm has improved so much since Finlandia
• Perfectly matched leg line in Rhumba sequence 1
• Nobody twizzles like them, and they do the optional 3rd set
• They pay attention to everything, down to finger and head placements
• Very smooth and even speed throughout
• Maia looks much more mature this season, she is just carrying herself differently this season than at the start of 2010
• This is such a clean program, what a debut for the beginning of the season

SD Score: 27.71 (TES) + 30.08 (PCS) = 57.79

2011 Cup of China: Ice Dance Preview

The short dance will be the kick off event this weekend at Cup of China, at 3:30 a.m. EST on Friday November 4th. The free dance is at 2:30 a.m. EST on Saturday November 5th. Two of these teams were top 6 at 2011 Worlds, but the rest are more Intermediate-level teams, new teams, or teams rising from the Junior ranks.

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) are the favorites to win this event, their first major competition after winning Bronze at Worlds. I've seen their new programs and love them, though many argue their new free skate is too similar to that of last season. They certainly have an identity now and their coaches, Zoueva & Shpilband know how to show off what they do well. This is their first major event as the favorites so we'll see how they handle the pressure...my guess is they pass with flying colors. Their win is not as cut and dry though as that of those of their training mates Davis/White & Virtue/Moir, as Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) are in the mix as well. They had a solid 2010 GP winning a Gold, a Silver, and placing 4th at the Final. However, they struggled with programs that didn't suit them and only placed 6th at Worlds. They do not have the technical proficiency of the Shibutanis, but they could potential beat them in the components mark if they can find their identity as a couple and put out programs that show of their stronger suits. Reigning Junior World Bronze medalists Charlotte Lichtman & Dean Copely (USA) have the change to play spoiler for a medal. They were competitive all last season and have always had a very "senior look" so the transition shouldn't be too difficult. If they avoid major mistakes I can see them on the podium. Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA) have finished 12th at the past two World Championships and it seems they need to make a major change if they want to jump up in the rankings, but they're a nice enough team and pleasant to watch. China isn't known for ice dancing, but Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN) had a respectable 2010-2011 season and may start to make a name for themselves. Emily Samuelson & Todd Gilles (USA) are a new team and this will be the first we see of them. Look for long lines and an elegant, lyrical style, even if all the technical elements aren't there quite yet.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Shibutani/Shibutani (USA)
2) Bobrova/Soloviev (RUS)
3) Lichtman/Copely (USA)


Competitive History:


Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)-6th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Cup of China; PB: 161.14 at 2011 Europeans


Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA)-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


Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR)-16th 2011 Worlds, 14th 2011 Europeans, 8th 2010 Skate America, 8th 2010 NHK Trophy, 3rd 2010 Coup de Nice, 4th 2010 O Nepala; PB: 126.29 at 2011 Worlds 

Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN)-17th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Asian Winter Games, 5th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 5th 2010 Cup of China; 130.29 at 2011 Four Continents

Charlotte Lichtman & Dean Copely (USA)-3rd 2011 World Juniors, 5th 2010 JGP Final, 3rd 20110 JGP Germany, 1st 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 133.36 at 2011 World Juniors

Emily Samuelson & Todd Gilles (USA)-International debut

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)-2nd 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 3rd 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 3rd 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy, 5th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 163.79 at 2011 Worlds

Xiaoyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)-7th 2011 Four Continents, 3rd 2011 Asian Winter Games, 8th 2010 Cup of China, 10th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 125.75 at 2011 Four Continents

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Free Dance

1) Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)
     Music: Chale Chalo, Mon Amour

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 49.36 (SD) + (FD) =

2) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (CAN)
     Music: Tonight

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 39.26 (SD) + (FD) =

3) Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (USA)
     Music: Walking in the Sand

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 50.81 (SD) + (FD) =

4) Lorenza Alessandrini & Simone Vaturi (ITA)
     Music: Tosca

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 54.37 (SD) + (FD) =

5) Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi (GER)
     Music: Romeo & Juliet 

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 55.69 (SD) + (FD) =

6) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)
     Music: Chattanooga Choo Choo, In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 59.02 (SD) + (FD) =

7) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)
     Music: Je Suis Malade

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 60.07 (SD) + (FD) =

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

• 
  

FD Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 61.83 (SD) + (FD) =

2011 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Ice Dance Predictions and Fantasy Picks

My Predictions:

1) Meryl Davis & Charlie White

2) Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein

3) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

4) Madison Hubbell & Keiffer Hubbell

5) Lynn Kriengkrairui & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt

6) Isabella Cannuscio & Ian Lorello

My Fantasy Picks:                                        SkateGate's Fantasy Pick:

A) Davis/White                                              A) Davis/White

B) Kriengkrairut/Giulietti-Schmitt                 B) Kriengkrairut/Giulietti-Schmitt

C) Hoptman/Filchenkov                                C) Hoptman/Filchenkov

If there is such a thing as a sure thing in figure skating these days, it is Meryl Davis and Charlie White. With Virtue and Moir out of the Grand Prix this season, they had not competition internationally and they should not be challenged at home this year at Nationals either. While the US has a strong field in the senior Ice Dance event, Davis and White would literally have to skip several elements in their programs to find themselves below the top spot of the podium. They have top scores of 68.64 in the short dance, 102.94 in the free dance, and an overall combined score of  171.58. These scores easily won them the Grand Prix Final gold for the second year in a row. While they do not have to worry about competition at Nationals, they can use the event as a chance to improve their technical levels and program components going into the World Championships where they are favored to win gold. 

Nipping at the heels of Davis and White are their training partners Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein and Maia and Alex Shibutani. Both of these teams are relatively young and train under Marina Zoueva and Igor Shpilband. Chock and Zuerlein are the 2009 Jr. National and World Champions and last year they debuted on the senior level with an impressive 5th place finish at Nationals. With a senior season under their belts, they looked poised to land in the number two spot in the US, though Maia and Alex Shibutani, the 2010 Jr. National Champions making their senior debut actually have put up higher scores on the Grand Prix.

Though the Shibutanis have put up slightly higher scores, particularly in the free dance, the teams are in a relative dead heat for the silver medal and I think that will be one of the most interesting battles of the event. I am torn because I love both teams so much and they bring very different things to the table. I don't think Chock and Zuerlein's short dance to Edith Piaf's waltzes suits them as well as it could. However, I love their free dance to Cabaret and it is just so quirky. They perform it so well and remind me of a young Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli. They definitely commit to the characters in a mature, yet whimsical way and because they are a Zoueva/Shpilband team, the technical content is obviously there. Their performances won them two bronze medals at their Grand Prix events this season.

I think the Shibutanis have a fantastic short dance and it is just so fluid and gorgeous. Part of that is that The Carousel Waltz is one of my favorite pieces of music on the planet, but they just perform it so incredibly well. They burst onto the senior Grand Prix circuit this year like seasoned professionals, winning two bronze medals in highly contested fields at both of their events. I think they were US bronze medal favorites going into this season, but after the scores they put up on the Grand Prix, they may just be favorites for silver in the minds of most.

While I and many other predict that these three Zoueva and Shpilband teams will sweep the podium, there are several other top teams just waiting to throw a wrench into that plan. Madison and Keiffer Hubbell had a disastrous short dance at Cup of China and though they came back with a stronger free, they still finished off of the podium. They had a much stronger start at Cup of Russia, but they withdrew due to illness, so they will have something to prove at nationals. If all goes according to plan, the Hubbells will make up the final warm up group with the three Zoueva/Shpilband teams, though I don't think they are at the same level as my perceived top three. Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt made a very strong showing at their lone Grand Prix event and actually scored higher than the Hubbells by about 10 points so we'll see if that was a precursor of things to come. Also, expect big things out of Isabella Cannuscio & Ian Lorello. Their overall score improved by about 15 points from their first Grand Prix to their second and if they can keep going, they'll be in the same score range as the the Hubbells and Kriengkrairut/Giulietti-Schmitt. Regardless of what happens, I am most looking forward to this event next weekend!

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 18 Days!

Madison & Keiffer Hubbell (Detroit SC)

• 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final Champions
• 2008 US Junior Champions
• 2009 US Nationals 4th
• 2010 US Nationals 6th
• 2010 Cup of China 6th

Madison and Keiffer have had an interesting season this year in that they started with a rough short dance at Cup of China, but came back with a stronger free skate, but still finished 6th overall. They withdrew from Cup of Russia after a strong short dance in what was sort of a freak event with 3 teams withdrawing. Though I thought their Addams Family short dance was a bit generic, I found their free dance to be really innovative, especially in their use of levels. With the retirement of Belbin & Agosto and Navarro & Bommentre, the Hubbells have a chance to challenge the 3 Zoueva/Shpilband teams for a place on the podium. Though they haven't had the scores of the Shibutanis or Chock & Zuerlein this season, they are still in contention for a medal if either or these teams falter. It is unfortunate to say because I hate to see one set of coaches dominate, but it is my opinion that if top US ice dance teams are not training with Zoueva & Shpilband, they are at a disadvantage. 

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 26 Days!

Maia & Alex Shibutani (Arctic FSC)

• 2007 US Novice Champions
• 2009 US Junior Silver Medalists
• 2009 Junior World Silver Medalists
• 2010 US Junior Champions
• 2010 NHK Trophy Bronze Medalists
• 2010 Skate America Bronze Medalists

The Shibutanis made their senior Grand Prix debut this season and came in with a bang! They became the first dance team ever to medal in both events of their senior debut season. They will enter their first senior US Nationals coming off of a win on the Junior level. Not only do they have good momentum, but based on their scores this season they are favorites for the podium. They won't catch Davis & White but their Grand Prix scores were slightly higher than those of the next best American team, Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein, making them favorites for silver at Nationals. Interestingly enough, all three of these top American teams are coached by Marina Zoueva & Igor Shpilband. This may be the first time in history that all three teams on the podium work under the same coaches, that is if no major upsets occur.