2012 Grand Prix Final: Pairs Preview

This event is kind of a hodgepodge. I feel like no pair has impressed me this year. The fact that Denney & Coughlin are the 1st alternates shows you how weak the pairs field is this season.

Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS) are certainly the frontrunners. They should be at least 20 points ahead of the rest of the field. They are outstanding and if they can stay healthy, they should take the World title this year. They don't make me nervous when they compete because I know they'll hit every element. Plus, he's easy on the eyes.

Pang & Tong (CHN) should be podium favorites. After all these years, they are still divine. I feel like we we see the same lyrical programs from them each year, but with different costumes and music. But if it aint broke, I guess you don't need to fix it.

I'd actually love to see Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS) take the silver this year, but just when I start to believe in them, they find a way to screw things up. They almost always peak early in the season and then fizzle out by Worlds. They are aging and she has a history of injuries, so their window to win another World, and possibly an Olympic medal is closing.

Duhamel & Radford (CAN) are one of my favorite pairs these days. They have accomplished so much but still have a lot of upside. They are getting better every season and I see them being a real podium threat in 2014.They need to up the ante in terms of their chemistry and on-ice expression and they'll move up to the top tier.

Bazarova & Larionov (RUS) were the beneficiaries of a weak field at both of their events. She has no jump in her jumps and he is just "there". They are, in a word, 'dull'. They are fading fast, in my opinion, and I believe Stolbova & Klimov or one of the rising junior teams will pass them in time for Sochi.

Moore-Towers & Moscovitch (CAN) also benefitted from an easy schedule. They are fine, I actually loved them back in the Zorba/Les Mis season, but they are falling fast compared to Duhamel & Radford. One of their best qualities is they know how to do them. They know their style and they stick to it. There's nothing phenomenal about the Queen Free skate, but then again I'd hate to see them do Dr. Zhivago.

Podium Predictions:
1) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)
2) Pang & Tong (CHN)
3) Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS)

Rostelecom Cup: Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
  Music: Legends of the Fall & Time to Say Goodbye

• I love to see them jump in opposite directions, when it goes well that is
• Seeing that death spiral from overhead made me dizzy
• This choreography seems so old fashioned to me
• Hard slip on the 2nd throw
• Even aside from that, this is light years better than their first GP outing
• I do like the positions on that final spin
• Ended after the music
• I wish he would shave, he looks scruffy
• 50.22 (TES) + 48.02 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 97.24
• 45.91 (SP) + 97.24 (FS) = 143.16

2) Nicole Della Monica & Matteo Guarise (ITA)
  Music: The Phantom of the Opera

• What do these costumes have to do with Phantom?
• Her upper body is very expressive
• She is clearly the better skater, he needs  lot of work on jumping and artistry
• Oh geez, he tripped and fell on a crossover
• He is clearly just there because he's strong enough to lift and throw her
• He looks so unsure and shaky out there that I'm concerned for her safety in those lifts
• They are just skating through this music, no connection to it at all
• This music may be overdone, but it's very emotionally charged and I don't understand how you can skate to it without feeling something
• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 50.25 (SP) + (FS) =

3) Anastasia Martiusheva & Alexei Rogonov (RUS)
  Music: The Mission

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 50.90 (SP) + (FS) =

4) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
  Music: War Horse

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 51.86 (SP) + (FS) =

5) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
  Music: Phantom of the Opera

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 59.02 (SP) + (FS) =

6) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
  Music: Spartacus

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 66.02 (SP) + (FS) =

7) Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)
  Music: Violin Muse

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 74.74 (SP) + (FS) =

2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Preview

 Here we are again, can you believe the figure skating season is nearly over already?  But before the season ends, we get the best event of the year, Worlds. Pairs will certainly be an interesting event. Three teams dominated the senior Grand Prix, but we have a set of former World Champs from China returning, as well as a pair of Chinese youngsters making their senior Worlds debut. Aside from who will medal, another interesting storyline is if the teams from the USA and Canada can come together and secure their country a third spot at the pre-Olympic Worlds in 2013. The pairs skate their Short Program Wednesday March 28th at 8:00 am EST and their Free Skate on Friday March 30th at 2:30 pm EST.

Podium Predictions
1) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
2) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)
3) Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS)

Top Contenders

Savchenko & Szoklowy (GER) had an up and down season by their standards, winning Gold at Skate America, Cup of Russia, and the Grand Prix Final, Bronze at NHK Trophy, and withdrawing from Europeans due to injury. I think they easily have the finest pairs programs of the season, their Pina free skate is so artistic and contemporary; nothing else holds a candle to it. I’m picking them to win their second consecutive and fourth overall World title.

Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS) were the other dominant pair this season. They won Skate Canada, Trophee Eric Bompard, and Europeans. They won Silver behind the Germans at the Grand Prix Final and they too with drew this season due to injury, but it was from Russian Nationals. They have impressive technical elements and outstanding chemistry, but I prefer the polish of the Germans to the flash and athleticism of the Russians.

Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS) also took two Golds on the Grand Prix, at Cup of China and NHK Trophy. They picked up a Silver at Cup of Russia and a Bronze at the Grand Prix Final. Continuing the theme, they also struggled with injury and withdrew from Europeans and Russian Nationals. They have two very diverse programs, a passionate edgy short, and a lyrical long to Claire de Lune. They missed the World podium last year after a fall, but I think they’ll find their way back there if they go clean.

Pang & Tong (CHN) will be a curious case to say the least. They were fantastic last season and finished it off with a Bronze at Worlds, but we haven’t seen them since then. They planned to take time off to rest and get married, but they found they loved skating too much to take a full year off. China needs them too, they only have two slots for pairs this season, a travesty by their standards, so they’ll look to help get that third spot back. They are a beautiful team and that is what they exploit in their programs, but I’d love to see them take a risk and try something with an edge to it. That may be what they need to challenge the top three at this point.

In The Hunt

Sui & Han (CHN) appeared to be in a bit of a sophomore slump, and by that I mean they didn’t make the Grand Prix Final as they did in their debut season, but they came back with a big time win at Four Continents. Their attempt at maturity in their new Tango free skate was all but laughable at the beginning of the season, but now they are really starting to to grow into it. Expect them to make a huge splash in their senior Worlds debut.

Bazarova & Larionov (RUS) are an elegant team with beautiful lines, but unfortunately that's about all they're offering this season. They haven't upped their technical game and they've been less than consistent. They are normally a shoe in for the Grand Prix Final, but a poor showing at Skate America knocked them out of the running. 

Denney & Coughlin (USA) are the hot new American team, but unfortunately they are still an American team and that usually means choking at Worlds. They have pretty impressive elements, but they are packaged as athletes,  not as artists, and than needs to change next season if they expect to compete with the best teams in the World.

Duhamel & Radford (CAN) were fantastic on the Grand Prix and even qualified for the final. They easily won their Nationals with what looked like the performance of a lifetime, but it seems they may have peaked too soon. 

Takahashi &Tran (JPN) have been all over the place this season, placing fourth and second at their Grand Prix events and qualifying for the Grand Prix Final. They can be described in four words: beautiful lines, inconsistent elements. Narumi just seems to have no self-confidence in the throws and jumps and that needs to be addressed before they can reach their full potential.

Berton & Hotarek (ITA) stepped up their International game this season, finishing 4th and 3rd in their Grand Prix assignments and fourth at Europeans. I don't love their look on the ice, but the judges clearly appreciate their elements. They've been pretty consistent this season and if they stay that way, they can finish well.

Marley & Brubaker (USA) are attending their first Worlds, though Rockne was here with a previous partner. If Mary Beth can block out the pressure of the World stage, they have a good shot at making a splash. They won Silver at Nationals and their first International medal in Bronze at Four Continents so they are well on their way if they stay clean and consistent. They can't afford any mistakes though, because no judges will give a relatively new team the benefit of the doubt.

Dube & Wolfe (CHN) are in a similar situation to Marley & Brubaker. She has a lot of Worlds experience but he has none. They got better at every event this season and finished a surprise 2nd at Canadians to earn a spot on the World team over some more experienced teams. They won't challenged for a medal as Dube did with Davison, but they can earn some International judges' favor if they are clean.

The Rest Of The Field

Martini & Kiefer (AUT)

Bakirova & Kamianchuk (BLR)

Makarova & Kenchadze (BUL)

Ri & Thae (PRK)

James & Cipres (FRA)

Hausch &Wende (GER)

Vartmann & Van Cleave (GER)

Kemp & King (GBR)

Montalbano & Krasnopolski (ISR)

Della Monica & Guarise (ITA)

Morand & Leemann (SUI)

2012 European Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.	Qual.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Q	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	72.80	37.94		34.86	8.75	8.43	8.75	8.79	8.86	0.00	#15
2	Q	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	66.89	36.27		30.62	7.68	7.39	7.75	7.79	7.68	0.00	#19
3	Q	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	58.66	31.80		26.86	6.64	6.54	6.79	6.82	6.79	0.00	#16
4	Q	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	54.38	28.36		27.02	6.68	6.50	6.64	7.00	6.96	1.00	#17
5	Q	Maylin HAUSCH / Daniel WENDE	GER	54.03	28.69		25.34	6.43	6.11	6.32	6.39	6.43	0.00	#13
6	Q	Daria POPOVA / Bruno MASSOT	FRA	53.91	31.62		22.29	5.79	5.25	5.71	5.61	5.50	0.00	#4
7	Q	Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE	GER	52.00	27.40		24.60	6.21	5.96	6.21	6.25	6.11	0.00	#18
8	Q	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	51.81	29.24		22.57	5.79	5.36	5.75	5.64	5.68	0.00	#3
9	Q	Stacey KEMP / David KING	GBR	45.75	25.80		19.95	5.11	4.75	5.04	5.11	4.93	0.00	#12
10	Q	Alexandra HERBRIKOVA / Rudy HALMAERT	CZE	42.99	24.47		18.52	4.71	4.36	4.82	4.61	4.64	0.00	#2
11	Q	Carolina GILLESPIE / Luca DEMATTE	ITA	42.75	23.26		19.49	4.82	4.61	5.00	4.93	5.00	0.00	#9
12	Q	Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI	ISR	41.69	23.89		18.80	4.79	4.57	4.71	4.79	4.64	1.00	#6
13	Q	Anais MORAND / Timothy LEEMANN	SUI	41.48	23.91		18.57	4.82	4.43	4.71	4.71	4.54	1.00	#5
14	Q	Lubov BAKIROVA / Mikalai KAMIANCHUK	BLR	39.06	20.23		18.83	4.93	4.54	4.54	4.82	4.71	0.00	#11
15	Q	Stina MARTINI / Severin KIEFER	AUT	38.05	20.56		17.49	4.36	4.11	4.43	4.43	4.54	0.00	#10
16	Q	Sally HOOLIN / James HUNT	GBR	33.41	17.50		15.91	4.14	3.79	3.93	4.07	3.96	0.00	#8
17		Elizabeta MAKAROVA / Leri KENCHADZE	BUL	32.80	18.23		15.57	4.14	3.71	3.79	4.00	3.82	1.00	#1
18		Maria PALIAKOVA / Mikhail FOMICHEV	BLR	28.33	17.25		15.08	4.00	3.68	3.61	3.93	3.64	4.00	#7
WD		Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER											#14

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

1) Vanessa James & Morgan Cipres (FRA)
     Music: Nostalgia

• This is a very soft program compared to their very athletic short program
• Perfect unison on SBS jumps
• Very slow split double twist
• Nevermind what I said about being a "soft program"
• Good clean throw, not a lot of distance
• All that clean skating and he goes down on a simple crossover, they are practically laughing as they continue
• I like this music a lot, even if it is repetitive
• Very strong outing from them, it won't be medal-worthy, but they show promise
• Finish after the music

FS Score: 45.75 (TES) + 43.70 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 88.45
Total Score: 44.86 (SP) + (FS) = 133.31

2) Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS)
     Music: Polovetsian Dances

• They are so similar in size that the split twists are hard for them
• Her skirt is a little long for me, it gets in the way, and I hate those black tights
• She stumbles on jump #2 of the 3-jump combination
• They have a long way to go in terms of polish and elegance, though I feel they'll always be more of an athletic team
• Those lift positions really need some work, her foot is nowhere near pointed
• Wild on the throw, she puts a hand and a foot down
• Points for creativity on the death spiral entrance, but it's not pretty
• Hard fall and a big skid on the landing of the 2nd throw
• That was a very poor outing from them, I expected much more

FS Score: 43.08 (TES) + 46.17 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 88.25
Total Score: 48.81 (SP) + 88.25 (FS) = 137.06

3) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)
     Music: Mulan

• It's so cute that they're doing Mulan!
• Crash landing on the split triple twist
• Good jumping pass
• He nearly hits the boards
• Fall from him on the 2nd jumping pass
• They look very tentative in the lift
• Nearly a dead stop at the end of the death spiral
• Everything looks very slow and laboured
• Very slow spins
• This element layout follows that of the usual Chinese programs
• Fairly clean program, but no spark at all to be found

FS Score: 53.85 (TES) + 45.63 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 98.48
Total Score: 49.27 (SP) + 98.48 (FS) = 147.75

4) Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN)
     Music: Heroes by Phillip Glass

• Good overall speed
• I love the cut of her dress but his shirt is so 1997
• Clean jumping until he put his hands down on the last one
• Off unison in the spins
• Tentative approach the the 1st throw, lacked speed and ice coverage
• I miss Bryce, but these two have potential together if they stick it out
• Better timing on the 2nd throw
• Didn't get the lift up, he couldn't get his arm straight, not sure if that completely devalues the lift or not
• Finished a little ahead of the music after the pair spin
• An okay outing, just fine for a brand new pair

FS Score: 48.06 (TES) + 49.38 (PCS) = 97.44
Total Score: 53.24 (SP) + 97.44 (FS) = 150.68

5) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)
     Music: Daphnis et Chloe, Reverie

• I love the opening section, so fluid and gorgeous
• Great split twist
• Good jumps! Just a wild free leg swing from Amanda
• I love that little choreographed lift
• Good throw Amanda!
• Great speed and flow across the ice
• They are so beautiful I'm literally crying
• Ouch hard splat from Amanda on that double axel
• I say this every gosh darn competition, but they are so beautiful, but who that can only take you so far when you can land the 3 jumps you have to do in a program
• Their reverse entry lifts are so gorgeous, he is sooo strong
• I love the spiral sequence

FS Score: 54.04 (TES) + 58.85 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 111.89
Total Score: 57.69 (SP) + 111.89 (FS) = 169.58

6) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
     Music: Doctor Zhivago

• Clean opening jumping pass
• Big split triple twist, because she weighs 7 pounds
• How she lands throws on those teeny tiny legs is beyond mee!
• All the jumps were clean, that's a big accomplishment for them!
• He actually gets pretty good leg height on that spiral
• Very slow rotation on the lift
• Very nice arch in the back from Vera
• When they land all their elements they pull big numbers, so this is a nice bounce back from Skate America where they only placed 5th
• Their lifts lack variety, but she doesn't hit a bad position

FS Score:65.34  (TES) +  (PCS) = 125.85
Total Score: 59.06 (SP) + (FS) = 184.91

7) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)
     Music: Viva la Vida, Yellow

• This is a beautiful program, something about it is so heart warming
• He is so much nicer to look at now that he cut his hair
• I love her arch before the split twist
• Unison issues on the SBS jumps, and they both land hands down on the 3rd jump
• Good clean double axels to recover
• I prefer a more traditional death spiral though I know variations improve the level
• Very good unison on the spins, quite remarkable for a team that is only a year old
• Feed stopped for a minute, not sure what I missed
• Nice 2nd throw
• Good lifts today, I believe those were a struggle at Skate Canada
• Good flexibility from her on the pair spin, but it was rally off center
• Abrupt ending, we know I hate those
• Apparently they fell on the 1st throw 

FS Score: 61.35 (TES) + 57.21 (PCS) - 3.00 (DED) = 115.56
Total Score: 61.06 (SP) + 115.56 (FS) = 176.62

8) Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)
     Music: Black Swan

• They are in a league of their own here
• Was that a split single twist?
• I'm so happy she scrapped the tutu
• Nice jumping pass
• Very soft knees from both of them
• Perfect unison on the 2nd jumping pass
• Hardly any loss of speed in the grip change on the death spiral
• He exits the spin one revolution before she does
• This is so athletic and so graceful at the same time
• Huge throw, what else can you say about how good that element was
• Wonderful lift position on her part, very fast rotation
• They get bonus for all these lifts in the second half
• I love where this 2nd throw is placed in the music, two-footed
• A little slow on that carry lift
• A few minor errors, but they will be your winners!

FS Score: 64.20 (TES) + 66.24 (PCS) = 130.44
Total Score: 63.69 (SP) + 130.44 (FS) = 194.13

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	194.13	1	1
2	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	184.91	3	2
3	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	176.62	2	3
4	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	169.58	4	4
5	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	150.68	5	6
6	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	147.75	6	5
7	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	137.06	7	8
8	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	133.31	8	7

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	130.44	64.20		66.24	8.39	8.04	8.25	8.36	8.36	0.00	#8
2	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	125.85	65.34		60.51	7.64	7.43	7.64	7.61	7.50	0.00	#6
3	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	115.56	61.35		57.21	7.32	6.96	7.11	7.25	7.11	3.00	#7
4	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	111.89	54.04		58.85	7.46	7.21	7.43	7.39	7.29	1.00	#5
5	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	98.48	53.85		45.63	6.14	5.39	5.64	5.82	5.54	1.00	#3
6	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	97.44	48.06		49.38	6.43	6.04	6.07	6.29	6.04	0.00	#4
7	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	88.45	45.75		43.70	5.71	5.21	5.43	5.57	5.39	1.00	#1
8	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	88.25	43.08		46.17	6.14	5.61	5.68	5.79	5.64	1.00	#2

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Pairs Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN)
     Music: Three Hours Past Midnight

• They had a nice debut at Skate Canada, let's hope that wasn't a fluke
• I'm cheering especially hard for them because they're on my fantasy team
• I love the exposed zipper on the back of her dress and I hate his belt
• They seem to connect very well as a pair, but she is clearly the star
• Nice split twist, but only a double
• Perfect unison on the SBS triple salchows
• This loungey music seems to suit them well
• Nice position from her in the star lift
• Good height on the throw, tilted in the air, but she straightens it out on the landing
• This is shaping up to be a really solid short program from them
• I like the level changes and position variations on the pair spin
• I'd like to see more speed overall from both and more performance and expression from Sebastien
• Great program from them, they'll be happy with that overall

SP Score: 28.23 (TES) + 25.01 (PCS) = 53.24

2) Vanessa James & Morgan Cipress (FRA)
     Music: Roxane

• Hello Moulin Rouge
• Double split twist, bent legs from her
• They are really flying around quickly, but they're cutting everything off
• Unison slightly off on the SBS triple toes, a lot of snow flying
• Very rough position changes in the lift, awkward exit
• I feel like they are really rushing everything
• Hand down on the throw, that was only a double
• They have potential, quite an athletic team, but they need to calm down and skate into the music, not over it

SP Score: 21.98 (TES) + 22.88 (PCS) = 44.86

3) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)
     Music: The Feeling Begins

• Is it me or did they just start before the music?
• Very clean SBS triple toes
• I believe this is another Bin Yao team
• Quick split triple twist, but she lands practically on his shoulder
• Very ugly triple throw but she gets away with only a hand down, a lot of snow flying
• That lift hit some very ugly positions and lost almost all of it's speed toward the end
• They are not a bad team, but this team will never live up to the great Chines pairs
• Her whole body is practically on the ice at the end of the death spiral
• I like that intertwined leg position on the pair spin

SP Score: 27.44 (TES) + 21.83 (PCS) = 49.27

4) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)
     Music: Concierto de Aranjuez

• These two are the stars of this group for sure, and medal favorites
• Amazing speed
• Wonderful split triple twist, I love that arched position she has going into it
• Solid SBS 3toes, a little unison issue on the take off
• She holds the position in the death spiral throughout
• She is so strong, all muscle, the perfect look for a pairs skater
• She shows outstanding flexibility in the pair spin, dare I say it she reminds me a bit of Aliona Savchenko
• They started out so fast, losing a bit of speed in this step sequence
• Very nice stretch in the lift, I'd like to see her point her foot harder
• Hardly any speed going into that throw, very high wrap on her free leg, but she fights to land it

SP Score: 34.06 (TES) + 27.00 (PCS) = 61.06

5) Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS)
     Music: Bolero

• Lots of Bolero this season thus far
• So much speed right off the top
• Only a split double twist
• Huge throw, she rides that edge forever!
• Perfect unison on the SBS 3Toes, as per the Russian way
• If only they would give Bazarova/Larinov some of their technical skills and get back some elegance in return
• Oh goodness, a fall on the death spiral! Did she lose her edge, or did he lose her hand?
• This choreography still looks quite Junior-ish to me
• Ended before the music; the rest of that program after the fall on the death spiral was a mess

SP Score: 25.38 (TES) + 25.43 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 48.81

6) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)
     Music: The Man I Love

• This is a gorgeous piece that suits them so well, I could see it as a free skate too
• Really nice air position on the split triple twist, she almost stops on the landing
• Fall on the SBS triple from Amanda, the one thing that is keeping them off of podiums
• That was a gorgeous, textbook throw
• I keep saying it, they're fantastic and they have the maturity that only comes with years and years together, but if they can't hit the jumps, they won't get the recognition they deserve
• The connection between them is so real
• That lift, nobody does it better
• Fantastic position in the death spiral, she doesn't let her body position go like some other ladies do

SP Score: 29.83 (TES) + 28.86 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 57.69

7) Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)
     Music: Bring Me Back To Life

• You've gotta love that elaborate, chest-popping, entrance to their starting positions, at least it's in character!
• I just can't get over these two, they look like they were created to skate together
• Oh lord, she stumbles and falls exiting the split twist, he manages to pick her up right before he nearly skates over her
• Great SBS triples
• She BARELY hangs onto that throw landing, so much strength there
• I love the this step sequence
• I wouldn't mind this piece of music if it was a different arrangement that sounded less like Muzak
• Messy program, but they're fighters!

SP Score: 33.01 (TES) + 31.68 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 63.69

8) Vera Bazarova &  Yuri Larionov (RUS)
     Music: Tosca

• These two have run hot and cold since last season's Grand Prix Final
• Wow, good SBS jumps from them! Just a slight timing difference between them bu tlanded!
• Very clean catch in midair on the split twist
• They lack speed, but the body lines are where they get points
• Fall on the throw, just a really bad air position
• I think her body touched the ice when they changed the hold in the death spiral
• Beautiful lift positions individually, but some not so pretty transitions between them
• They seem rushed today
• I wish she'd be more expressive with her face, she almost looks lost
• They're lacking spark, they need a good kick in the but 

SP Score: 30.88 (TES) +29.18 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.06

1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	63.69	1
2	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	61.06	2
3	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	59.06	3
4	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	57.69	4
5	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	53.24	5
6	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	49.27	6
7	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	48.81	7
8	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	44.86	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	63.69	33.01		31.68	8.14	7.64	7.82	8.00	8.00	1.00	#7
2	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	61.06	34.06		27.00	6.93	6.50	6.71	6.86	6.75	0.00	#4
3	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	59.06	30.88		29.18	7.46	7.11	7.29	7.36	7.25	1.00	#8
4	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	57.69	29.83		28.86	7.25	6.93	7.32	7.25	7.32	1.00	#6
5	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	53.24	28.23		25.01	6.46	5.82	6.32	6.32	6.32	0.00	#1
6	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	49.27	27.44		21.83	5.75	5.18	5.46	5.57	5.32	0.00	#3
7	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	48.81	25.38		25.43	6.54	6.21	6.25	6.43	6.36	2.00	#5
8	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	44.86	21.98		22.88	5.86	5.50	5.64	5.89	5.71	0.00	#2

2011 Trophee Eric Bompard: Pairs Preview

This event is crucial for 2 teams that have a clear shot at making the Grand Prix Final and for one that has an outside chance of qualifying as an alternate. The pairs skate their short on Friday November 18th at 10:45 a.m. EST and their free on Saturday November 19th at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)  were nothing if not fantastic at Skate Canada where they won by 20 points. The amount of chemistry they've built in such a short period of time is truly remarkable and they're certainly the favorite here. I'm giving Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS) another shot to skate to their potential before I write them off for the season. They're oh so soft and elegant, the perfect contrast to Volosozhar & Trankov, if they can hit their pair elements. Lately though, if on of them lands the jumps, the other falls, so they'll both need to hit here or they'll find themselves off the podium as they did earlier at Skate America. Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN) are a rising favorite for me. They do difficult technical elements and they're developing chemistry as a pair, but like every other North America pair, I hate to get invested because who knows how long they'll stay together. One North American pair that has stayed together is Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA). They have two gorgeous programs this season, but they keep missing podiums by a hair because of falls on jumps and throws. I don't know how many times I have to say it, but if they could just hit, they'd be on every Grand Prix podium and probably top 5 or 6 at Worlds. Also, don't count out youngsters Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS) who debuted with an impressive 5th at 2010 Skate America and look to improve upon that with a year of senior experience under their belts. Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN) are in their first season together and though they likely won't factor into the medals, they'll look to keep improving throughout the season.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)
2) Bazarova & Larionov (RUS)
3) Duhamel & Radford (CAN)


Competitive History:


Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)-5th at 2011 Skate America, 2nd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 5th 2011 Worlds, 3rd 2011 Europeans, 5th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 188.24 at 2011 Europeans


Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)-14th 2011 Worlds, 10th 2011 Four Continents, 2nd 2011 Winter Universiade, 7th 2010 Cup of China, 7th 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 146.49 at 2009 Cup of China 

Jessica Dube & Sebastian Wolfe (CAN)-6th at 2011 Skate Canada, 6th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 158.44 at 2011 Skate Canada 

Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)-3rd at 2011 Skate Canada, 7th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Skate Canada, 3rd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 181.79 at 2011 Four Continents 

Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)-4th at 2011 Cup of China, 11th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Four Continents, 3rd 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 5th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 171.92 at 2010 Winter Olympics


Vanessa James & Morgan Cipres (FRA)-


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

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)-1st at 2011 Skate Canada, 1st 2011 O Nepela, 1st

2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2nd 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Mont Blanc Trophy; PB: 210.73 at 2011 Worlds

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America Pairs Free Skate [LIVE BLOG]

I'm loving Mary Beth Marley's costume. I'm really pulling for Marley & Brubaker to have a clean free skate, regardless of placement. She's just come so far! I feel like Aliona always wears her warm-up jacket out in the warm up.

1) Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER)
     Music: Your Highness by Steve Yablonsky

• 8th after the short was a huge surprise, I had them pegged for top 4, or 5th at the lowest
• His costume is very similar to that of Don Baldwin in the short
• Not enough height on the split twist, not a clean catch
• I love Daniel's long flowing edge out of  the throw
• Maylin puts her hand down in the first jump of the combination
• Both struggle on the side by side triple salchows, she doubled I believe
• I like their athleticism in this program, but they're struggling on elements
• Even the exit from that lift seemed rough
• They just don't look like themselves
• The star lift with him on the inside spread eagle was great!
• She was so tilted on that throw 3flip, steps out and puts a hand down
• This will not be a program they're happy with
• They have some intricate positions in their lifts, nice innovations
• I hate that death spiral, anything other than a traditional death spiral is ugly to me
• Good pair spin positions, but the speed was lacking
• The final pose seemed out of the character of the piece to me

FS Score: 46.25 (TES) + 46.35 (PCS) = 92.60
Total Score: 48.94 (SP) + 92.60 (FS) = 141.54

2) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
     Music: Legends of the Fall, Time To Say Goodbye

• I think Tiffany Vise is a little to old for that hair ribbon
• Wrong music played for them, I haven't seen that in a while
• That has to rattle you a little bit once you're in character
• They can't stop laughing, now they'll be announced a 3rd time
• I love this music, I've choreographed pieces to it so it's very close to my heart
• That double twist was very clean, and the catch was clean and high
• I love the spread eagle entrance into the throw triple loop, gorgeous flow out
• Triple-toe double toe from him, single toe for her
• I really enjoy seeing them jump and spin in opposite directions
• I really don't like these "innovative" death spiral positions at all
• This is a very elegant piece, we're used to more athletic pieces from them so it's a nice change
• Side by side triple salchows were lovely
• I think the spiral requirement in pairs is silly, the men never look good doing them  and there are so many other elements
• The counter balance on his skate is very cool
• Hands down on the throw triple
• Good quality spins, dangerously close at certain points
• I think Code of Points has been great for pairs because we get higher quality choreography between the elements
• Very solid performance for them, should easily be in first

FS Score: 53.00 (TES) + 50.87 (PCS) = 103.87
Total Score: 51.55 (SP) + 103.87 (FS) = 155.42

3) Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor by Rachmaninov

• I'm pulling for them, hoping for a good clean skate
• Did she stumble a little on the opening pose
• She fell really hard on that side by side triple toe
• Very good speed here, I like to see that
• Huge height on the split triple twist, catch was a little low
• She falls again on the triple salchow, must be nerves because she is a very strong jumper
• Their spins are greatly improved from last season when they debuted
• Two footed throw triple lutz, but that is a harder throw than most will do
• Her lift positions are much stronger than last season
• Interesting spiral sequence
• I like this program and I think they have a lot of growing room
• I wish they had been able to compete at Nebelhorn so this wasn't their first event of the season
• The lifts are very nice
• Rockne is such a strong partner and I'm sure he's being very patient with her
• Fall on the throw triple salchow
• I really like the innovative positions of their pair spin
• Poor girl, she has to be so upset with that program

FS Score: 44.28 (TES) + 47.36 (PCS) - 3.00 (DED) = 88.64
Total Score: 56.16 (SP) + 88.64 (FS) = 144.80

4) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)
     Music: Pina

• This piece is based on the German postmodern dancer & choreographer Pina Bausch, who I happen to love!
• Gorgeous throw triple flip
• Very strong side-by-side jump sequence
• I really like their spiral sequence, if that's possible
• This is unique music, and their in between choreography fits it perfectly
• I'm loving this music!
• These costumes are quite subdued for them!
• I'm not a fan of even their death spiral, but at least it fits the theme of the program
• This is great choreography, this program is going to be outrageously good by Europeans and Worlds
• They act this very well and he lets her be the star
• These lifts, entrances and exits included are so cool
• Great pair spin programs
• I'm enamored with this program!
• The speed is one thing they can work on but the rest is brilliant

FS Score: 60.41 (TES) + 64.12 (PCS) = 124.53
Total Score: 59.45 (SP) + 124.53 (FS) = 183.98

5) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)
     Music: Henry V

• Their costumes look like they were bought from a Tudors salvage sale, which is obviously quite fitting
• I loved them last season but they fizzled, can they keep a high level for a whole season this year?
• Triple toe-triple toe in sequence, slight loss of unison in the second set
• Seriously lacking height on the split triple twist
• Step out and maybe a hand down for Dylan on the triple salchow
• I really like this music, it's a nice look for them
• They are losing some speed after that stumble on the jump, could be running out of gas
• Great height on the throw triple loop
• This middle section seems slow, they are lacking in their choreography and musical interpretation
• This is a very grandiose musical choice, in the same vein as their Les Miserables free last season
• Her free leg seems bent in the spins and his foot seems flexed
• That star lift out of the lunge position at the end of the program has become somewhat of a signature for them
• I like them a lot and hope they stay together in order to grow in their maturity and musical interpretation

FS Score: 61.65 (TES) + 56.18 (PCS) = 117.83
Total Score: 59.60 (SP) + 177.43 (FS) = 177.43

6) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
     Music: Doctor Zhivago

• Her costume is a little much for me, it's very 1994 Lillehammer-esque
• Can they actually land their elements today?
• She turns out of her side by side triple toe
• Gorgeous split triple twist with a clean catch
• She seems to have little to no confidence in her skating
• Nice throw triple flip, but tentative on her part
• Side by side double axel sequence, loss of unison at the end
• This program needs a lot more speed 
• They are beautiful, but they need more expression
• I hate to say it, and usually I love their grace, but this program is a little boring for me
• Slight unison issue on the spins, and they hit some ugly positions
• That program was just okay for me, it needs a little more oomph

FS Score: 58.72 (TES) + 55.60 (PCS)  = 114.32
Total Score: 59.62 (SP) + 114.32 (FS) = 173.94

7) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
     Music: Nessun Dorma

• I can't decide whether I want to like them or not
• Clean side by side triple throws, slight unison issues
• That split triple twist is World class, I'd like to see a quad attempt
• Double axel-double axel sequence, Caydee singles it; not a good way to pass top teams
• Really nice throw triple loop
• This choreography has a lot of arms, but not much else for me
• This arrangement of Nessun Dorma makes me want to throw up
• I hate to admit it, but they do have some decent chemistry out there, I wonder why?
• Throw triple flip was clean, but it lacked the height of their first throw
• They spins are very well synchronized for a new pair
• They've done all their difficult elements minus a lift at this point
• Her positions are improved from when she skated with Jeremy, but could still be more stretched
• This is a strong start for them, regardless of placement
• Nice difficult entrance and positions in that final lift
• They should be thrilled with that
• I'm not sure if that is enough to pass the Canadians or not

FS Score: 59.36 (TES) +56.42  (PCS) - (DED) = 115.78
Total Score: 59.62 (SP) + 115.78 (FS) = 175.40

8) Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)
     Music: Totentanz

• Nice opening jump sequence
• I hate this piece of music
• Good height on the split twist
• Side by side triple salchows
• This is a nice enough program, but it's not really doing much for me
• It's not nearly as interesting as Savchenko & Szolkowy's free skate, but they may have enough of a buffer from the short program
• They are skating really slowly
• Turn out of the throw triple salchow
• They used to be such an athletic pair but now with her height, they could work toward re-establishing themselves as an elegant pair
• Very clean skate from them, good comeback after a year off
• They look exhausted!

FS Score: 56.96 (TES) + 58.85 (PCS)  = 115.81
Total Score: 62.85 (SP) + (FS) = 178.66

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America Pairs Short Program [LIVE BLOG]

Wow, Dan Zhang is super tall now!!

1) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
    Music: East of Eden

• I don't like her lipstick, but I like her dress a lot
• it still hurts that she's not Caitlin
• That triple twist was huge with a very clean catch
• Nice clean triple toes, slight unison issues
• They seem to have a very strong personal connection to one another for only being together a few months
• Very slow in the footwok, speed will pick up as they get more experience
• A little bit of a wonky entrance into that overhead lift
• I don't know how Caydee saved that throw, very tilted in the air
• I still hate that she isn't Caitlin, but that was a solid skate

SP Score: 33.82 (TES) + 25.80 (PCS) = 59.62

2) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
     Music: Pirates of the Caribbean by Hans Zimmer

• They only do a split double twist, so that will her their TES
• Very good height on the throw triple loop, hand down
• I think it's interesting to watch teams that jump and spin in opposite directions
• Here head almost hit the ice on that death spiral
• I really like their speed and edging on the footwork
• She tripped up a bit at the end, unfortunate

SP Score: 27.12 (TES) + 24.43 (PCS) = 51.55

3) Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
    Music: Singin in the Rain

• I love that they are doing a cute, jazzy short program
• Very good unison on those side by side triple toes
• Very cute choreography, loving it so far
• Really good height on the the split triple twist, a little bit of a rough catch
• Hands down maybe on that throw triple lutz, but kudos to them for trying a harder throw
• I am just smitten with this program
• Very great energy throughout
• Nice lift
• They showed AMAZING improvement

SP Score: 29.68 (TES) + 26.48 (PCS) = 56.16

4) Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)
    Music: A Transylvanian Lullaby by John Morris

• Fantastic throw triple loop, that's what happens when you practice throwing over couches
• This is signature Lori Nichol choreography
• Other than lacking some speed, they look just as good as they did before they took their year off
• I'm not in love with this program, it is a little bland for me
• They are clearly a class above all the other skaters we've seen
• That was an abrupt ending to the program

SP Score: 34.17 (TES) +28.68  (PCS) = 62.85

5) Kirsten  Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)
     Music: Borsalino by Claude Bolling

• Fast rotation on the  split twist, but not a clean catch
• Good side by side triple toes
• That throw triple loop was so tilted, she saved it
• I love their lift entry with Dylan in the lunge
• This program has some nice potential, but they can really up the performance ante
• That was scary when she stepped over the back of his skate boot, looked like a sliced achilles waiting to happen

SP Score: 32.30 (TES) + 27.40 (PCS) = 59.60

6) Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wendne (GER)
    Music: Music by John Miles

• Is it just me or does Daniel look a bit like Alexander Gazsi?
• Bad catch on that split triple twist, but I like how they linked it to their throw triple salchow
• Fall by Maylin on the triple toe
• I'm hating this 80s-tastic musical selections, and how do black and white costumes fit? 
• Trip by Daniel on the footwork sequence, they just look a bit frantic for me
• Her positions in the overhead spins could really use work
• I really like the ending pose

SP Score: 25.63 (TES) + 24.31 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 48.94

7) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
    Music: Tosca by Puccini

• I always forget that Vera is so young, only 18
• I love they're elegance, if they can just land their elements, they're elite status
• Wow Yuri actually fell this time, usually it's Vera who struggles
• Did she die her hair darker?
• I've been saying for many a season that they remind me of Gordeeva & Grinkov, but not when they fall like that
• Clean throw triple flip, a harder throw than many
• I like their death spiral and that pair spin is to die for
• Very unique entrance and position changes into their overhead lift
• This is lovely choreography, not a moment is wasted
• Stumble by Yuri at the end, they looked unsettled out there

SP Score: 32.43 (TES) + 28.20 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.62

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)
    Music: Angels & Demons by Hans Zimmer

• Wow, Aliona is all about the fake skin
• I love Ingo!!
• Let me guess, she's the angel and he's the demon?
• They have a very innovative coach which is great to see
• She ate it in the throw triple axel, very tilted, not sure if they'll call it rotated or not
• Struggle coming out of the split triple twist
• She two-footed the triple toe
• Granted she took a very hard fall on the throw, could understandably be shaken
• Their pair spin is so cool, loving it!
• So far no heinous death spirals, I'm okay with that sideways position
• This program is going to be outstanding come the Grand Prix Final, just needs some work

SP Score: 29.48 (TES) + 30.97 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 59.45

Skaters to Watch: Skate America Edition

Alissa Czisny (USA)-2010 Grand Prix Final Free Skate





Carolina Kostner (ITA)-2010 Grand Prix Final Short Program





Takahiko Kozuka (JPN)-2011 World Free Skate





Richard Dornbush (USA)-2011 US Nationals Free Skate





Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)-2011 Worlds Free Skate





Bazarova & Larionov (RUS)-2010 NHK Trophy Short Program





Davis & White (USA)-2011 Worlds Short Dance





Pechalat & Bourzat (FRA)-2011 Europeans Short Dance

2011 Skate America: Pairs Preview

This pairs event won't be much of a competition for the the top spot, but it's going to be a dog fight for the rest of the medals. I'll be live blogging ever moment so check in with me 9:55 pm EST this Saturday for the short program and on Sunday at 4:00 pm for the free skate.

3-time and reigning World Champions Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER) should easily run away with this title. They are so far above the rest of this field that they'll be using the event as a way to test out their new programs in front of the judges rather than worrying about the competition. Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS) are a good bet for Silver because they are gorgeous when their programs are clean, though Vera has been known to have problems on her jumps. Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA), the much-hyped new pair made a strong debut at Nebelhorn Trophy and beat Bazarova & Larionov in the short program, though their weaknesses were highlighted when the Russians blew them away in the free and knocked them into 3rd. They are a very athletic pair and have a lot of drive and enthusiasm, but their polish and chemistry is still lacking and will be until they get some more experience together under their belts.  Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN) are a true wild card because nobody has seen them skate in over a year. In their prime, 06-09, they were World medalists and Olympic medalists, but they've fizzled out since then and rumor has it, the once tiny Dan has gone through a growth spurt which can ruin pair elements.  Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) won a surprise Silver medal here last year but fizzled out later in the season. They have some great tricks but are very rough around the edges and have had consistency issues. They'll need another high-scoring free skate like Les Miserables last season to break win another medal. Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER) are not to be counted out either and have been steadily improving. They are not at the level of their countrymen but they did win a surprise Bronze on the Grand Prix last season. Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA) are another wild card because they impressed us all with a 4th place at US Nationals and then fell apart last year at Four Continents. Mary-Beth is still new to pairs skating, but I'm expecting more from them now that they've been together for about a year and a half. They aren't in the medal hunt, but they can set themselves up for the rest of the season but skating cleanly and impressing the judges. Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA) debuted at Nebelhorn this season and weren't too shabby.They are an older team and won't have their sites set on medals or titles, but it is great for them to just get out there and get some International exposure.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
2) Bazarova & Larionov (RUS)
3) Denney & Coughlin (USA)


My USFSA Fantasy Picks:
A) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
B) Denney & Coughlin (USA)
C) Marley & Brubaker (USA)


Competitive History:


Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)-2nd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 5th 2011 Worlds, 3rd 2011 Europeans, 5th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 188.24 at 2011 Europeans 


Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)-3rd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 175.94 (Yankowskas/Coughlin) at 2011 Worlds; PB: 62.73 at 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy


Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER)-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


Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)-8th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Nestle Cup; PB: 144.46 at 2011 Four Fontinents


Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)-8th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Four Continents, 6th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 175.48 at 2010 Skate America


Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)-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


Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)-7th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 8th 2011 US Nationals, 2nd 2010 Ice Challenge; PB: 165.76 (Vise/Trent) at 2007 Trophee Eric Bompard


Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)-5th 2010 Worlds, 5th 2010 Winter Olympics, 6th 2009 Grand Prix Final; PB: 197.82 at 2008 Worlds