2011 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Preview

The 2011 Four Continents Championship kicks off next week from Chinese Taipei.. In the past the US has not sent its top flight to this event, but the ISU has been encouraging federations to send their World championship team in an effort to make this event an equivalent of the European Championships. The US will be sending their top 3 Pair teams to the competition next week, as will Canada. China is sending their top team, Pang/Tong, but the young dynamos Sui/Han will be absent from the competition. There are a total of 10 teams competing and each of the four countries represented, Canada, China, Japan, and the US, has at least one podium threat.

Here are my podium predictions, and I will update with my fantasy skating picks as soon as USFSA opens up the selection for this event:

1) Pang/Tong

2) Yankowskas/Coughlin

3) Moore-Towers/Moscovitch

Although I do not think they've been at their best this season, Qing Pang & Jian Tong will go down as one of the great pair teams of this era. With Shen/Zhao officially retired and Zhang/Zhang's future unsure, Pang/Tong seem to be the last of the great Bin Yao teams standing, at least until he can develop his next flight of pair teams. I've always admired this team for their long lines and grace, but they've had a lot of uncharacteristic falls and mistakes this season. After their long careers they must be exhausted and if they have a strong showing at World this year I suspect they may retire. The only team to beat them this year has been the German team of Savchenko/Szolkowy and as they will not be competing in Taipei, Pang & Tong should have no trouble claiming the title if they can avoid catastrophic mistakes. If anything, this event will be good practice for them on the road to another world medal.

There are about 5 teams after Pang & Tong that fall very close together in terms of season's best scores, but I have to go with recently crowned US Champions Caitlin Yankowskas & John Coughlin. They caught my eye at NHK at the beginning of the season and have continued to impress me over the past few months, including a phenomenal showing as US Nationals last month. For me, they have every quality that makes a great pair team. John is just a pillar of strength and Caitlin floats like a feather and her positions are exquisite. I think this is really their year to make their mark on the international scene and if they can perform the way they did in Greensboro, I think they'll stand next to Pang & Tong on the podium.

Kirsten-Moore Towers & Dylan Moscovitch of Canada are one of my favorite teams to emerge from the Grand Prix season. They had absolutely no expectations for themselves and it was great to see them turn talent and determination into two silver medals and a spot in the Grand Prix Final. I did not see them put two clean programs together all season and they crumbled slightly in the final, but from what I hear, they gave a phenomenal showing at Canadian Nationals. They are in a similar situation to Yankowskas/Coughlin in that they are riding the momentum of  winning their first national title so the showdown between these two teams should be very exciting.

Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barret have been knocking at the door all season and while they didn't bring home any Grand Prix medals, they are going through a rebuilding year after a coaching change and they have improved immensely as artists, particularly Jeremy. I love their programs this year and I only wish they could have been rewarded with an International medal. After an unfortunate fall at US nationals in the short program, they failed to earn a slot on the World team but I think that has left them very hungry and will inspire them to really put together two solid performances. If they skate to the best of their abilities, they'll be in the medal mix with Yankowskas/Coughlin and Moore-Towers/Moscovitch.

Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig have some of the best elements in the world, particularly their lifts, but they're struggled to put together two mistake-free programs in any competition this year, including US nationals where they won a silver despite some jumping errors. Their free skate score is one of the highest internationally, but what kept them from receiving higher total scores was their weaker short program, which they've since changed. They are in a similar situation to Rachael Flatt where they've changed their short program and have yet to receive scores for it from internationals judges. Depending on how well their Sing Sing Sing short program is received and if they can clean up their free skate, they too could be in the medal mix with the Canadians and their fellow Americans.

The final team that I believe to have a shot at the podium in Taipei next week is Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran of Japan. It has always surprised me that Japan has not produced great pair teams based on the strength of their singles skaters, but this team is their sole pair team and they are quite good. They competed on both the junior and senior Grand Prix circuits this season and won the Junior Grand Prix Final. Like the Japanese singles skaters, they have fantastic technique and these two are really fun to watch as well. Their scores internationally have been quite similar to those of the American teams competing here and the top Canadian team, but I feel that they need some more time together to really connect as a pair. I personally think experience and maturity will win out in this competition in favor of the Americans or Canadians, but Takahashi & Tran could easily squeeze onto the podium for a medal if they skate two perfect programs.

Other teams competing in the pairs event at the 2011 Four Continents Championships include:

Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)

Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)

Huibo Dong & Yimingn Wu (CHN)

Yue Zheng & Lei Wang (CHN)

2011 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Pairs Free Skate

Here we are with the senior pairs in their free skate. We are starting at about 10:50 EST with the first two groups of three, we'll then cut to ice dance and come back live on NBC for the final groups in pairs and dance. **denotes my picks in USFSA Fantasy Skating

1) Erika Smith & Nathan Bartholomay

   Music: Alexander

• That was a nice cartwheel move at the beginning
• Solid lifts
• Nice throws, they are really putting on a nice showing here
• That group 5 star lift was really stellar, especially with the music
• This music is very nice for them, and I like the choreography as well
• FS Score: 47.00 (TES) + 41.99 (PCS) = 88.99
• 43.60 (SP) + 88.99 (FS) = 132.59

2) Chloe Katz & Joseph Lynch

   Music: Music from Henry V

• That was a bit of a rough catch on the split twist
• Their speed is very nice
• I like that their costumes go together but don't match
• Wow she took a tough fall onto her stomach on the 1st throw, hits boards
• That is unfortunate for her, they were really flying
• She doubles her side by side triple toe loop, he is clean
• Group 5 lasso into hand-to-hip lift with him actually skating crossovers under her
• She holds onto a beautiful triple throw lift
• She shows some nice flexibility
• Their lifts are nicely placed on the hilights in the music
• FS Score: 52.35 (TES) + 42.37 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 93.62
• 46.38 (SP) + 93.62 (FS) = 140.00

3) Lisa Moore & Justin Gaumond

   Music: No, No, Nanette

• I loved them in the short skating to Singin in the Rain
• They have a nice jazzy, whimsical quality about them
• Throw double loop was clean, and she landed safely
• SBS double toe-double toe
• I like Peter Carruthers, am not a fan of the "creative" death spiral where the lady grabs the foot going in
• She was so tilted in the air on that last throw and just crumbled
• FS Score: 43.63 (TES) + 38.51 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 81.14
• 46.44 (SP) + 81.14 (FS) = 127.58

4) Gretchen Donlan & Andrew Speroff

   Music: Stairway to Heaven 

• Nice strong catch on the triple twist, good flow out
• She hung onto that SBS triple landing for sure
• I like the upside down entrance into the press lifts, they shift to a hand to hip with Andrew skating underneath of her
• I though she had that double axle, but she lost her footing
• Gorgeous flowing landing on her throw
• Nice low death spiral position
• They put up some great lifts, especially with difficult entrances
• Their second throw is equally strong
• This is a very nice program, conceptually and choreographically
• They should go solidly into first here
• Andrew is so strong for her and really shows her off nicely
• Gretchen could use some ballet to teach her to stretch out her legs and point her feet
• Coach Sheryl was in tears!
• FS Score: 51.29 (TES) + 46.34 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 96.63
• 48.62 (SP) + 96.63 (FS) = 145.25

5) Becky Bereswill & Trevor Young

   Music: Chicago

• I hope they use actual Fosse movements 
• Her dress is incredible
• They have some nice speed
• Good solid double axel-double toe
• I really love the choreography in this piece
• Opting for a split double twist
• I really like this team and I hope they place high enough to get some senior Grand Prix assignments
• She has learned quickly to process the lifts and throws 
• Becky really eeks out the landing on that throw triple loop, she was so tilted and still pulled it out
• That reverse overhead is so difficult and they hit it like it's nothing
• He lifts her so elegantly and makes her look so light
• This is such an entertaining program and she they've really chose the best selections form Chicago
• Mistake at the end, he loses the pivot on the death spiral and and almost loses her
• FS Score: 47.11 (TES) + 42.84 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)= 88.94
• 48.77 (SP) + 88.94 (FS) = 137.71

6) Molly Aaron & Daniyel Cohen **

    Music: Malaguena

• They are on my fantasy team so I'm pulling for them
• I like that they took a moment to really get into character before beginning
• She puts her hand down on the first throw, but it had a lot of height
• Molly takes a hard fall on the opening jump
• They hit some nice unique positions in their overhead lifts
• Not the best skate they have every done, they won't be too happy about that one
• FS Score: 49.40 (TES) + 43.39 (PCS) -3.00 (DED) = 85.59
• 47.24 (SP) + 85.59 (FS) = 136.83

7) Lindsay Davis & Themisthocles Leftheris

   Music: 

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 97.18
• 51.07 (SP) + 97.18 (FS) = 148.25

8) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin

    Music: Mona Lisa Overdrive/The Mission

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 96.97
•  54.29(SP) + 96.97 (FS) = 151.26

9) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir

   Music: Avatar

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 100.44
• 51.48 (SP) + 100.44 (FS) = 151.92

10) Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett

     Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• We now have Tom Hammond, Sandra Bezic, and Scott Hamilton as the live commentators, such an upgrade, though I do love Peter Carruthers
• Caydee is so sassy, and Jeremy has worked so hard to live up to her performance levels
• Nice clean catch on the triple twist
• Side by side triple toes, beautifully landed, good work Caydee, such a fighter
• Nice throw triple lutz on a huge musical crescendo
• Jeremy steps out of the first double axel in the sequence but the second set is clean
• This middle section in center ice is gorgeous
• Just beautiful  choreography by David Wilson
• Great spin sequence, great unicson
• Nice position by Caydee in the lasso lift
• Nice strong landing by Caydee in the second throw triple
• Great hand to hip lift
• This is wonderful music for them and they use it beautifully
• That's a nice position by Caydee in that death spiral
• They have such great speed and exuberance in this ending section
• They get such nice lift positions, especially with Jeremy on just one foot
• Great pair spin here at the end, wonderful camel positions
• FS Score: 59.36 (TES) +58.34  (PCS) = 117.70
• 57.79 (SP) + 117.70 (FS) = 175.49

11) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker **

     Music: The Addam's Family

• Marybeth is ready to light it up
• I like their look together
• Not a clean catch, but huge height on the split triple twist
• Nice Triple-double combo
• Oh wow something happened there and they both tripped over each other
• Wonderful recovery into a lasso lift
• I wanted this so much for them
• She recovered so well and landed that lift like a champ
• Nice spiral sequence from both of them
• She gets a great low death spiral position
• They have a really nice look on the ice and performance quality
• They need to work a bit on their side by side jumps, especially the timing, but that will come with time
• She eeks out that throw like a fighter
• They have some phenomenal lifts, what a great pair partner he is
• This little tango moment is so fun
• I love the spin sequence on the traditional Addams Family music
• They stay in perfect unison in the spins until the very last position change
• What a performer she is
• I am so impressed by how fast she has learned all of these elements, what a little champ she is
• I hope they stay together because they have so much potential
• FS Score: 44,16 (TES) + 52.29 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)= 105.45
• 58.10 (SP) + 105.45 (FS) = 163.55

12) Caitlin Yankowskas & John Coughlin **

     Music: Ave Maria

• Alright lets light it up guys, you've got this
• This opening pose is to die for
• I'm crying already, can't contain my emotion
• Opening double axels are crisp and clean
• Gorgeous split triple twist
• Not the most beautiful, but Caitlin lands that throw like the fighter she is
• Great three jump series, so in sync
• Everything looks so effortless, they are just letting it happen and not forcing it or muscling it
• Great death spiral and fantastic spin sequence, spins get a little out of sync at the end
• Caitlin really does look like an angel
• I love the way she seems to float in that spiral sequence
• Gorgeous throw triple, she lands it like it is nothing at all
• Their lifts are effortless because he is just so strong for her and she has such incredible positions
• That ending pose is phenomenal 
• FS Score: 61.97 (TES) + 62.18 (PCS) = 124.15
• 64.30 (SP) + 124.15 (FS) = 188.45

13) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig

     Music: Nessun Dorma

• This should be another big number if they can skate perfectly
• These costumes are gorgeous
• Their triple twist has such quick rotation
• Great Side by side triple toes on a huge musical crescendo
• This music and choreography are fantastic for them
• That was  very strong throw triple lutz
• Now when we get into the more lyrical part of the program is where they really shine
• Slight unison loss at the end of their spins
• Fantastic spiral sequence
• Side double axles, they both fight for each jump, possibly two-footed and/or step out
• Those side by side camels are such an interesting position for spins
• Their lifts are phenomenal and they perform them in the back half of the program to gain a lot of points on them
• Throw triple loop was huge, Amanda has to put her hands down to control it
• That one hand to hip lift onto one foot is just stellar, especially on these musical crescendos
• Not perfect, but a very very nice skate for them indeed
• Exit from the last lift was a little clunky but I think they did enough to stay in second, in my opinion
• FS Score: 62.09 (TES) + 60.26 (PCS) = 122.35
• 62.87 (SP) + 122.35 (FS) = 185.22

US Nationals Preview: Senior Pairs Best and Worst Case Scenarios

After compiling a list of this season's scores for US senior pairs competing on the grand prix circuit, I noticed some large disparities in scores for certain teams from competition to competition so I though it would be fun to combine each skaters top short program score and top free skate score from different competitions to project what may happen at nationals if each team matches their season's best. On the flip side, I thought it would be interesting to see who would still rise to the top if each pair would happen to match their season's low score. So here are the results, take from them what you will, and ask yourself are you an optimist or a pessimist?

BEST CASE SCENARIO
Yankowskas/Coughlin: 57.86 (CC) + 108.86 (CC) = 166.72
Denney/Barrett: 58.49 (SA) + 107.93 (SA) = 166.42
Evora/Ladwig: 52.58 (CR) + 110.27 (CR) = 162.85
Castelli/Shnapir: 56.34 (SC) + 106.09 (SA) = 162.43
Marley/Brubaker: 56.51 (NQC) + 99.96 (NQC) = 156.47
Simpson/Miller: 50.28 (CR) + 95.50 (CR) = 145.78
Zhang/Toth: 48.13 (SA) + 86.55 (TEB) + 134.58

WORST CASE SCENARIO
Marley/Brubaker: 56.51 (NQC) + 99.96 (NQC) = 156.47
Yankowskas/Coughlin: 54.19 (NHK) + 100.69 (NHK) = 154.88
Denney/Barrett: 55.03 (NHK) + 97.335 (NHK) = 152.38
Evora/Ladwig: 51.46 (CC) + 100.20 (CC) + 151.66
Castelli/Shnapir: 47.24 (SA) + 103.51 (SC) = 150.75
Simpson/Miller: 46.39 (SC) + 87.66 (SC) = 134.05 
Zhang/Toth: 40.93 (TEB) + 78.57 (SA) = 119.50


Since there is some variation in placements, here are some things to consider:

• Yankowskas/Coughlin and Evora/Ladwig are the only US pair teams to medal on the senior Grand Prix so they have great momentum going in
• Denney/Barrett have put up some of the highest scores this season, but it is also incredibly hard to defend a national championship, especially in pairs
• Castelli/Shnapir perhaps have more potential than any other team and if they can hit all of their elements in both programs, which they have yet to do this season, they will make the podium
• Marley/Brubaker are definitely the dark horses and if they can improve their free skate scores, they may just surprise everyone and make the podium

US Nationals Preview: Senior Pairs Competition

When projecting the results for Nationals, it is important to look at the skaters' results in the events leading up to Nationals. The pairs included in this post are the competitors that have the best chance of medaling at Nationals. Below are the scores from the 2010 Senior Grand Prix Series, as well as the 2011 Nesquik Cup to include Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker. I will be making my predictions and fantasy choices based on these scores and some other extenuating factors in a post to come next week. But for now, here are the top scores among US pair teams for the short program, free skate, and overall totals. 

Top Short Program Scores
58.49 Denney/Barrett (Skate America)
57.86 Yankowskas/Coughlin (Cup of China)
56.51 Marley/Brubaker (Nesquik Cup)
56.34 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate Canada)
55.03 Denney/Barrett (NHK Trophy)
54.19 Yankowskas/Coughlin (NHK Trophy)
52.58 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of Russia)
51.46 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of China)
50.28 Simpson/Miller (Cup of Russia)
48.13 Zhang/Toth (Skate America)
47.24 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate America)
46.39 Simpson/Miller (Skate Canada)
40.93 Zhang/Toth (Trophee Eric Bompard)

Top Free Skate Scores
110.27 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of Russia)
108.86 Yankowskas/Coughlin (Cup of China)
107.93 Denney/Barrett (Skate America)
106.09 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate America)
103.51 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate Canada)
100.69 Yankowskas/Coughlin (NHK Trophy)
100.20 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of China)
99.96 Marley/Brubaker (Nesquik Cup)
97.35 Denney/Barrett (NHK Trophy)
95.50 Simpson/Miller (Cup of Russia)
87.66 Simpson/Miller (Skate Canada)
86.55 Zhang/Toth (Trophee Eric Bompard)
78.57 Zhang/Toth (Skate America)

Top Total Scores
166.72 Yankowskas/Coughlin (Cup of China)
166.42 Denney/Barrett (Skate America)
162.85 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of Russia)
159.85 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate Canada)
156.47 Marley/Brubaker (Nesquik Cup)
154.88 Yankowskas/Coughlin (NHK Trophy)
153.33 Castelli/Shnapir (Skate America)
152.38 Denney/Barrett (NHK Trophy)
151.66 Evora/Ladwig (Cup of China)
145.78 Simpson/Miller (Cup of Russia)
134.05 Simpson/Miller (Skate Canada)
127.48 Zhang/Toth (Trophee Eric Bompard)
126.70 Zhang/Toth (Skate America)

NHK TROPHY

Yankowskas/Coughlin

• 54.19 (SP) = 29.93 (TES) + 24.26 (PCS)
• 100.69 (FS) = 52.66 (TES) + 49.03 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 154.88 (Total)

Denney/Barrett

• 55.03 (SP) = 30.22 (TES) + 24.81 (PCS)
• 97.35 (FS) = 47.42 (TES) + 49.93 (PCS)
• 152.38 (Total)

SKATE CANADA

Castelli/Shnapir

• 56.34 (SP) = 32.96 (TES) + 23.38 (PCS)
• 103.51 (FS) = 53.82 (TES) + 50.69 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 159.85 (Total)

Simpson/Miller

• 46.39 (SP) = 23.98 (TES) + 22.41 (PCS)
• 87.66 (FS) = 45.49 (TES) + 43.17 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 134.05 (Total)

CUP OF CHINA

Yankowskas/Coughlin

• 57.86 (SP) = 31.20 (TES) + 26.66 (PCS)
• 108.86 (FS) = 55.70 (TES) + 54.16 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 166.72 (Total)

Evora Ladwig

• 51.46 (SP) = 28.69 (TES) + 22.77 (PCS)
• 100.20 (FS) = 51.24 (TES) + 48.96 (PCS)
• 151.66 (Total)

SKATE AMERICA

Denney/Barrett

• 58.49 (SP) = 32.46 (TES) + 26.03 (PCS)
• 107.93 (FS) = 55.17 (TES) + 53.76 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 166.42 (Total)

Castelli/Shnapir

• 47.24 (SP) = 26.50 (TES) + 22.74 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 106.09 (FS) = 57.23 (TES) + 48.86 (PCS) 
• 153.33 (Total)

Zhang/Toth

• 48.13 (SP) = 26.82 (TES) + 21.31 (PCS)
• 78.57 (FS) = 40.43 (TES) + 39.14 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 126.70 (Total)

CUP OF RUSSIA

Evora/Ladwig

• 52.58 (SP) = 27.38 (TES) + 27.38 (PCS)
• 110.27 (FS) = 57.62 (TES) + 53.65 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 162.85 (Total)

Simpson/Miller

• 50.28 (SP) = 26.91 (TES) + 23.27 (PCS)
• 95.50 (FS) = 47.10 (TES) + 49.40 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 145.78 (Total)

TROPHEE ERIC BOMPARD

Zhang/Toth

• 40.93 (SP) = 20.65 (TES) + 20.28 (PCS)
• 86.55 (FS) = 46.22 (TES) + 41.33 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 127.48 (Total)

ISU Grand Prix: Skate America Pairs Free Skate

Peter Carruthers is here for the commentary with Andrea Joyce


1) Stacey Kemp & David King (Great Britain) **
    Music: Sweeney Todd

• That was a serious crash on the split triple twist and she almost fell
• He stumbles out of the opening side-by-side
• She saves the landing on the throw triple toe loop
• I love this music and I just hope they can interpret it well
• She doesn't wear her engagement ring in the performance because she has caught him with it before
• Amazing somersault entrance into the star lift but it almost comes to a standstill at the end
• She lands hard on the throw triple loop
• This seems to really lack speed and I just wonder if this was the correct musical selection for them
• The side-by-side combination jumps-he seemed to completely miss the second jump
• Peter thinks there are major technical issues and they need to go back to the basics and make some fixes before they try the more difficult elements, all in terms of safety concerns
• Using Sweeney Todd, a show about slitting throats with a razor is very scary in a sport that involves blades, especially when accidents have previously occurred with one skater cutting their partner with their blade....just my two cents
• FS Score: 40.83 (technical) + 34.09 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 73.92
• 42.00 (SP) + 73.92 (FS) = 115.92

2) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)

    Music: Avatar

• Like many other US pair teams, they have the potential for greatness if they can stay consistent
• I actually really enjoyed that split triple twist
• That overhead lift covers the ice with so much speed
• He stumbles out of the triple salchow with a hand down
• He stepped out on the side by side triple toe
• Don't quote me but she seems to be the stronger singles skater
• Hands down and two-footed on the throw triple axel
• Spins seem to be out of unison
• Kneeling, he is her height
• Their overhead lifts are great and the dismounts are pretty clean
• The height on those throws is amazing and the second lift is so clean
• Their lifts are just astounding, and that front leg hold position is incredible
• They never lost their speed and did not even look tired at the end
• Their goal is to have the "unique factor" and they are truly achieving that
• FS Score: 57.23 (technical) + 48.86 (presentation) = 106.09
• 47.24 (SP) + 106.09 (FS) = 153.33

3) Felicia Zhang & Taylor Toth (USA) **

    Music: Miss Saigon Rhapsody

• They seem to be the perfect pair to create the characters from Miss Saigon
• That was a scary crash on that split triple twist
• Taylor puts a hand down on the side by side triple toe
• The rotations are slow on the overhead lift, he sets her down nicely
• Those spins were way too closely, and she drops out of it to avoid his blade getting too close to her face
• That just took me back to Dube/Davison where his blade cuts her face
• She lands a nice throw
• A hand down on the next throw
• Peter Carruthers seems genuinely concerned about these pairs as they attempt these difficult elements
• The junior/senior transition is so difficult for these pairs because the new system encourages them to attempt difficult elements when they are not really ready
• They are really struggling here, but t hey show potential if they can really train harder
• FS Score: 40.43 (technical) + 39.14 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction)= 78.57
• 48.13 (SP) + 78.57 (FS) = 126.70

4) Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (Russia)

    Music: La Strada

• This team has already qualified for the junior Grand Prix Final
• Nice clean split triple twist
• These are good singles skaters which they display in a triple-double-double combination in perfect unison
• Their side by side spins were also very good
• Nice low death spiral
• Their choreography plays perfectly into the character of the piece
• This team seems strong enough to possibly be the future of Russian Pairs skating, but only time will tell
• Normally pairs routines seem very formulaic but I really enjoy the choreography of this program
• FS Score: 57.44 (technical) + 49.32 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 105.76
• 53.73 (SP) + 105.76 (FS) = 159.49

5) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (China)

    Music: City Lights by Charlie Chaplin

• Here we go with the young dynamos from China, they will attempt a quad throw so we'll see how it goes, I'm hoping for her safety
• Her personality is wonderful, and both of them are really just amazing
• Two sets of clean double axels
• Throw quad salchow landed, seemed two footed and maybe a hand down
• This is a huge moment for them; its been landed before but not often
• She took a very hard fall on that throw in practice and spectators thought she was severely injured, but she got right back up and went back to practice
• Her flexibility is amazing
• She is 15 so she may start to grow soon and I hope that doesn't affect their technique very much
• The height on that throw is just amazing
• Pretty good unison on the spins
• She missed her toe pick takeoff for the final lift, but he just dead lifted her, showing great strength on his part
• She is just precious, I want to put her in my pocket and take her home with me; she is about the size of the little Chinese gymnasts
• That coach has huge hair
• FS Score: 61.74 (technical) + 60.80 (presentation) = 112.54
• 57.53 (SP) + 112.54 (FS) = 170.07

6) Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett (USA)

    Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• They look so much more mature this year 
• This is a David Wilson choreographed routine
• Split triple twist is clean
• Clean side by side jump, they both really held on
• Throw triple lutz got good height and was on an amazing high point in the music
• Jeremy singled his side by side double axel, but they repeat with two solid side by side double axels
• This is a very mature program out of them and I'm seeing a good connection between them
• Spins have pretty good unison
• She lands on her stomach on the second throw, got very close to the boards
• This is a lovely death spiral position
• That fall may take them off the podium after the stellar program from Sui & Han
• This choreography is fabulous and really utilizes the music well
• He gets a great low position on the pair spin
• That was a tough fall on the second throw, but that was a great skate otherwise
• Their on ice chemistry is definitely improving and I think John Zimmerman and Sylvia Fontana have been very good for them
• FS Score: 55.17 (technical) + 53.76 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction) = 107.93
• 58.59 (SP) + (FS) = 166.42

7) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscowitch (Canada) **

    Music: Les Miserables

• They put up a very memorable performance at Skate Canada and this program is fabulous
• He doubles his triple toe
• So far, so good
• Their lifts are very solid
• He stumbles out of the second side by side jump
• She does that extended free leg position in the death spiral which I really don't like at all
• She was very titled in the air on that throw triple salchow so I'm not sure how she saved the landing
• This final lift where he starts on the ice is wonderful
• This is a well choreographed program and although I don't think it was as good as at Skate Canada, I think it was still great
• FS Score: 55.58 (technical) + 55.26 (presentation) = 113.84
• 61.64 (SP) + (FS) = 175.48

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (Germany) **

    Music: The Pink Panther

• Hello costumes, could we get any louder?
• This is a great playful opening
• The opening throw triple flip was outstanding
• The first set of triples was solid, but he stumbled in the second
• These spins are very fast, but as the positions change, she cannot keep up with his speed
• I love the colors, but I would prefer to see her in a dress
• The landing on that split triple twist was a bit clunky
• No major mistakes yet, but they simply lack the polish that they once had
• They definitely use her flexibility to the fullest extent with in spins and lifts
• They end with a throw triple salchow that they barely eek out
• They say they are known as the "never smiling pair" and they aim to fix that this season with this comedic routine
• FS Score: 66.12 (technical) + 67.59 (presentation) = 133.71
• 63.99 (SP) + 133.71 (FS) = 197.70

Final Standings:

1) Savchenko/Szolkowy (Germany)           197.70
2) Moore-Towers/Moscowitch (Canada)      175.48
3) Sui/Han (China)                                    170.07
4) Denney/Barrett (USA)                           166.42
5) Stolbova/Klimov (Russia)                       159.49
6) Castelli/Shnapir (USA)                          153.33  
7) Zhang/Toth (USA)                                 126.70                      
8) Kemp/King (Great Britain)                     115.92

ISU Grand Prix: Skate America Pairs Short Program

1) Felicia Zhang & Taylor Toth USA) **
    Music: Claire De Lune

• They are the 2010 US Junior champions
• A crash on the landing of the split triple twist
• Could use more extension on the spiral
• Pretty solid side by side triple toe loops, although the timing was off
• Felicia is also a singles skater and is competing on the junior grand prix circuit this season
• The throw triple salchow was clean, but tentative
• They have a nice elegance about then and a flow across the ice that is demonstrated in their step sequence
• They put up a good performance here that they should be proud of, especially in only their second season together
• SP Score: 26.82 (technical) + 21.31 (presentation) = 48.13
• This is several points higher than their program earlier this season at Nebelhorn Trophy

2) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (Canada) **
    Music: Zorba the Greek

• This team definitely has the energy and speed to pull off this music
• They also had a little crash on the split triple twist landing but not as much as our first team
• Kirsten puts a hand down on the side by side triples but recovers nicely
• Their lasso lift is lovely 
• That was a powerful throw triple loop
• They do that upside down death spiral position that I hate, the ass-up position as I call it
• This music is just perfect for a step sequence
• These spins are very fast and almost perfectly synchronized
• Dylan used to skate with his sister but she struggled with injuries, so performing with the much younger Kirsten is very much a fresh career start for him
• He seems so calm, but her energy is just so very infectious 
• SP Score: 35.33 (technical) + 26.31 (presentation) = 61.64

 3) Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (Russia)
     Music: Asturias

• This team is competing on the junior and senior grand prix circuit this season, that gives them a very busy schedule and must allow very little time for training
• Hello Spanish music
• That was a split double twist
• That throw hot a lot of height
• I wonder if the name "Ksenia" is very popular in Russia, I was just thinking of Makarova as well
• That partner cartwheel movement was very cool
• This step sequence is very slow
• I think the new points system has made pairs skating much more enjoyable for me to watch; it used to seem very mechanical with all of the same elements but now they teams change positions in the lifts a lot more as well as the spins and step sequences
• That was a very interesting entrance into the death spiral, almost a hydroblading type of move
• This team is quite polished and classy, very Russian, but they lack speed at this point in their careers
• Russian figure skating has suffered in the last Olympic cycle and you know they must be scrambling to try to put together some solid skaters and teams for the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
• SP Score: 30.67 (technical) + 23.06 (presentation) = 53.73

4) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)  
    Music: Money/For the Love of Money

• The 2009 US Junior silver medalists
• I cannot believe the height difference between these two, I believe it is 5'0" versus 6'4"
• Simon doesn't get enough height on his side by side triple salchow, i bet his height has negative effects on him in that way
• It must be so difficult for them to stay in sync with the height differences
• She takes a hard fall on the throw triple salchow, she may have caught an edge or something
• That overhead one hand lift where she grabs her leg in the front extension is exquisite
• SP Score: 26.50 (technical) + 22.74 (presentation) - 2.00 (deduction) = 47.24

5) Stacey Kemp & David King (Great Britain) **
    Music: Clocks

• Crash on the split triple twist landing
• His leg is wrapped very high on the side by side double
• Slow entrance into the throw triple loop
• These costumes are giving me a headache
• I love the use of vitamin string quartet music
• He seemed to fall out of the camel spin and completely miss the sit spin position
• I'm not sure of their ages, but they seem very inexperienced to me
• SP Score: 22.60 (technical) + 19.40 (presentation) = 42.00

6) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (China)
     Music: Country Dance

• These two are just such little bundles of joy, especially Sui
• This pair is the future of figure skating, look for them to make a huge splash in 2014 in Sochi
• This is a weird comment but i want her bloomers to be the same color as her skirt, not white like granny panties
• Nice side by side double axel
• Great height on split triple twist
• That throw was huge, I wonder if they practice throwing the ladies over couches like Bin Yao's teams
• Their footwork is lovely and the presentation quality is simply fantastic
• Their speed is great and their energy is infectious
• Amazing speed on the spins, slight synchronization issue at the end
• Seemed to have trouble getting her up in the lasso lift
• Nice low to the ground death spiral
• They definitely have the crowd going here
• SP Score: 32.02 (technical) + 25.51 (presentation) = 57.53

7) Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett (USA)
     Music: Love theme from Cousins

• I am not sure how crazy I am about Caydee's dress, but I do like the clean lines of Jeremy's costume
• John Zimmerman, why do you have to be married?
• This is a nice display of the softer side of their skating
• The catch was a little low on the split triple twist
• They look very adult in this program
• Side by side triple toe loops was amazing
• That throw triple lutz was perfectly timed with the music
• This is gorgeous choreography, an amazing job by John and Sylvia
• I wasnt crazy about her upside down, free leg death spiral
• Amazing unison on the spin sequence
• Wow they just look so mature to me, like a completely different team than last season
• If they can work on consistency then they will definitely have a chance of competing on the world stage
• A very solid performance, Caydee looks thrilled to death
• SP Score: 32.46 (technical) + 26.03 (presentation) = 58.49

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (Germany) **
    Music: Korobushko by Bond

• Aliona looks like a gladiator
• They should put up a huge score
• I don't understand what the opening pose has to do with the theme of the program
• That throw triple flip was gigantic and she almost lost it
• I would have liked a cleaner catch on the split triple twist
• She doubles the triple toe
• I know this is their first competition of the season, but they do not look like world champions
• That was not the big program I expected from them
• They will have to be clean in the long if they expect to hold of Moore-Towers & Moscowitch
• SP Score: 32.84 (technical) + 31.15 (presentation) = 63.99

Current Leaderboard:
1) Savchenko/Szolkowy (Germany)              63.99
2) Moore-Towers/Moscovitch (Canada)         61.64
3) Denney/Barrett (USA)                             58.49
4) Sui/Han (China)                                      57.53
5) Stolbova/Klimov (Russia)                         53.73
6) Zhang/Toth (USA)                                   48.13
7) Castelli/Shnapir (USA)                             47.24
8) Kemp/King (Great Britain)                        42.00

My Predictions for the 2011 US World Figure Skating Team

Pairs:
The US has been weak in pairs since the days of Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, so the placements at Nationals are always a toss-up in this discipline. However, I'm going to base these predictions on Grand Prix performances so far.

1) Caitlin Yankowskas & John Couglin- They have a very strong free skate and I expect, that with a few more months of practice, they will make a strong showing at the US Nationals and win the title.
2) Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett- They are arguably the most consistent of US pairs, but I find their programs this year to be lackluster, and as performers, they pale in comparison to Yankowskas & Coughlin.

Men:
With Johnny Weir & Evan Lysacek out, at least for this season, the shape of the US mens team is changing drastically. However, there is a strong field ready to stand on the Nationals podium.

1) Jeremy Abbott- Reigning National Champion and 2010 Olympian, enough said.
2) Adam Rippon- He is a beautiful skater, and I think he is ready to step into Johnny Weir's shoes as the "artistic" US male. He also gave a brilliant performance at Skate Canada to land on the podium with Patrick Chan and Nobunari Oda, two of the world's finest.
3) Brandon Mroz- He capitalized on the failures of the top men at last week's Cup of China to win a silver medal and I believe he is poised to stand on the National podium this year.

Ice Dance:
With Belbin & Agosto retired and Samuelson & Bates out for the season due to injury, look for some younger teams to step up into the spotlight this year.

1) Meryl Davis & Charlie White- They are the best team in the world and seem poised to win the world title, so its all but a sure thing that they'll win the National Title. There is not a more sure bet in sports this season.
2) Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein- Sharing the practice ice with Davis/White & Virtue/Moir under the coaching of Zoueva & Shpilband has done wonders for this team. I love their Cabaret free skate and they looked so mature at Skate Canada where they won a bronze medal.
3) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani- They are also coached by Zoueva & Shpilband and they looked very solid this season at NHK trophy, winning a bronze medal even with a fall in the short program.

Ladies:
With only two spots on the World Team after a poor showing in the 2009 Worlds, the fight will be brutal to be one of the top two ladies at nationals. With no major retirements, I expect the makeup of the last group for the free skate to be fairly similar to last year.
1) Rachael Flatt- I must say that she is not nearly as exciting to watch as some other US ladies, like Mirai Nagasu or Alissa Csizny, but she definitely is consistent, which no other top US lady can say.
2) Agnes Zawadzki- Mark my words, this girl is the next Michelle Kwan. She is the reigning US Junior champion and her short program at Skate Canada had her in medal contention. A fall early in the program broke her concentration, but who can blame her, it was her first Senior International and she was just getting her feet wet. We have over two months until Nationals and I expect her to be on fire by then. She is also the training partner of Rachel Flatt, so if I predict correctly, this would be quite the night for coach Tom Zakrajsek. I am going to say it now...Agnes Zawakzki is the rebirth of US Ladies Figure Skating and she will also be the 2014 Olympic Champion.