2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: 2011 NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Spellbound Concerto

• They look soooo young
• Good energy off the top
• He steps out of the SBS 3T
• Pop the twist to a single
• She is hardly getting any height on that throw, or distance
• Major unison errors on the 2A series
• This is a very junior-looking program
• She stops in the middle of the spin completely and holds out her wrist, I don't know if his blade hit her or what?
• Very freaky and I hope she's okay!

FS Score: 41.60 (TES) + 41.01 (PCS) = 82.61
Total Score: 45.56 (SP) + 82.61 (FS) = 128.17

2) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No.2  by Rachmaninov

• This is a very serious, grown up program for them
• Simon falls on the jump sequence and totally misses the second jump
• Their lifts always look so great because of his height
• Fall on the throw triple axel, but it may have been rotated
• Very off unison in the spins
• This certainly not the best I've seen from them
• Slight unison issue on the double axel
• Great comeback with the 2nd throw on a great musical crescendo
• That carry lift looks great

FS Score: 53.05 (TES) + 48.04 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 99.09
Total Score: 449.93 (SP) + (FS) = 149.02

3) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: A Chorus Line

• I'm obsessed with this program
• I love the jazziness of the choreography, Michael Bennett would be proud!
• Good solid jumps and a good twist
• Two-foot on the throw or so it looked from my angle
• I'd love to see some more expression in the "What I Did For Love" section
• The 2nd throw looked a little two-footed as well
• Very interesting spin positions
• The crowd is clapping along to the "One" section, I'd love to know if this Japanese audience knows anything about A Chorus Line
• I like this piece because it looks like a complete program to me, and not just a string of elements
• They should be very happy with that skate

FS Score: 52.27 (TES) + 52.62 (PCS) = 105.89
Total Score: 53.12 (SP) + 105.89 (FS) = 159.01

4) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: Clair de Lune

• This is one of my favorite pairs free skates in recent memory, so light and airy
• Low catch on the split twist, it looked like his hands may have slipped on the fabric of her dress
• Great throw, she was rotating at warp speed
• Slow exit out of the death spiral
• The fabric of her dress looks positively gorgeous floating through the spins
• Yuko never straightens her legs fully which really bothers me
• She struggles on both jumps of the sequence, very funky landings
• That moment where he holds her as she runs in the air is my favorite of the program
• She eeks out the landing on the 2nd throw, maybe a little two-footed
• Their lifts are never anything spectacular, where they really excel is in the in-between moments
• Not their best outing with this program, some awkward entrances and exits to lifts and the whole thing looked a little slow

FS Score: 61.13 (TES) + 61.36 (PCS) = 122.49
Total Score: 55.02 (SP) + 122.49 (FS) = 177.51

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

• I zoned out and missed the opening jumps but I heard clapping so that's a good sign
• Slight loss of speed exiting the split triple twist, but great height
• John looked a little wild on both jumps of the double axel series, but landed nonetheless
• Very slow entrance into the throw and she fell, likely short of rotation
• Nice job on the second throw
• Caydee needs to really point that foot
• They have very nice unison in the spins for a team that is so new
• Her spin positions don't hold a candle to Caitlyn's
• That carry lift is ugly, John looks like he his dead lifting
• Ended slightly after the music

FS Score: 55.61 (TES) + 53.66 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 108.27
Total Score: 55.48 (SP) + 108.27 (FS) = 163.75

6) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Adagio in G Minor

• This has been a breakout year for them
• They're an interesting pair because they're both similar in height and size
• Nice 3-jump combination
• Split double twist, she is so tall that a triple would be very hard
• Some of the entrances and exits to the lifts are very awkward and labored
• She puts her hands down on second jumping pass
• Almost perfect unison on the spins
• All of their lifts look slow and labored because she is so tall
• She really opened up out of that throw and made it a double, very abrupt landing
• This is just not an exciting program for me
• Their lifts really scare me because he never looks stable
• One of those ugly death spirals that I hate
• Much improvement, but it lacked spark

FS Score: 52.49 (TES) + 107.60 (PCS) =
Total Score: 56.23 (SP) + 55.11 (FS) = 163.83

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Concerto de Quebec

• Very nice split twist
• Oh wow, Narumi actually landed that first jump!
• This is a gorgeous program that they have here
• I don't know what happened in that jump combination, she seemed to stumble out of the 1st while he stumbled on the 2nd and it was a jumbled mess
• Mervin is the focal point of this team, I hardly ever watch Narumi
• I love that they do the throws back to back right after the halfway point, that follows the Chinese pair programs format
• She two-foots the second throw, possibly short of rotation
• She has a fantastic spiral position
• Not a perfect skate, but it was a huge improvement for them
• Narumi is so excited! So proud of herself for landing the jumps

FS Score: 55.92 (TES) + 58.28 (PCS) = 114.20
Total Score: 57.89 (SP) + 114.20 (FS) = 172.09

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

• I love this music so much
• Slight unison issue on the jumps but they held it together
• Kudos to Robin for such great flexibility on that spiral sequence even if his hip is hiked up
• This is such an innovative program and the choreography is so specific
• Low catch on the split twist
• Did Aliona single her axel?
• I appreciate that they don't simply perform generic lifts, but they are actually specific to the character of the program
• Oh boy, a botched lift, he couldn't get her up over his head and she just slid down his back
• Two-foot on the last throw
• They just lost control of the program right at the end, they are not pleased with that

FS Score: 48.58 (TES) + 63.87 (PCS) = 112.45
Total Score: 59.23 (SP) + (FS) = 171.68

Pl. Name Nation Points SP FS 1 Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 177.51 5 1 2 Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN JPN 172.09 2 2 3 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 171.68 1 3 4 Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK ITA 163.83 3 5 5 Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN USA 163.75 4 4 6 Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE RUS 159.01 6 6 7 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA 149.02 7 7 8 Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ CAN 128.17 8 8 Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES +   PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 122.49 61.13   61.36 7.79 7.54 7.64 7.82 7.57 0.00 #4 2 Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN JPN 114.20 55.92   58.28 7.32 7.29 7.32 7.46 7.04 0.00 #7 3 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 112.45 48.58   63.87 8.14 7.82 7.86 8.14 7.96 0.00 #8 4 Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN USA 108.27 55.61   53.66 6.96 6.50 6.75 6.71 6.61 1.00 #5 5 Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK ITA 107.60 52.49   55.11 6.89 6.71 7.07 6.89 6.89 0.00 #6 6 Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE RUS 105.89 53.27   52.62 6.68 6.39 6.57 6.82 6.43 0.00 #3 7 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA 99.09 53.05   48.04 6.32 5.64 6.00 6.25 5.82 2.00 #2 8 Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ CAN 82.61 41.60   41.01 5.32 5.14 5.00 5.21 4.96 0.00 #1

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Short Program LIVE BLOG

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

• I've been trying hard not to like them but they're growing on me
• Basically all they have to do is establish consistency and they'll be #1 in the US
• Huge split 3 twist
• This is a horrible arrangement of this music
• Caydee doubles the SBS toe, just as she did in the warm-up, not the way to win favor with International judges
• I like the weaving footwork, it complements the swell of the music quite well
• I like the entrance into the lift, but she really needs to stretch out that position and milk it for all it's worthy
• I feel like everytime she lands a throw I say she "saved the landing", not quite sure why I'm always surprised to see her land it
• They need more time together to develop the "two shall skate as one" quality, but they've really come along quickly

SP Score: 30.42 (TES) + 25.06 (PCS) = 55.48

2) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Night-Train

• Major issues on those SBS jumps
• Really low catch on the split triple twist
• Good landing on the throw, but she hardly traveled away from him at all
• Everything in this program looks so simple, but I'm glad to see they're taking things slowly until they really master their pair elements; difficult will come later
• I like this music for them, its age appropriate
• Very cute program from them, it won't get a competitive score, but what a great way for them to get onto the International Senior scene

SP Score: 23.99 (TES) + 21.57 (PCS) = 45.56

3) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Phantom of the Opera

• I like this opening, Marissa always brings the drama and it's good to see Simon getting involved
• Weird timing on the split triple twist
• She was off on the jump in the air, I'm surprised she saved it from really splatting
• Nice steps in this softer section of the music
• Simon has beautiful posture, but Marissa is a little hunched which makes the height difference even more noticeable
• Fantastic throw on a great musical crescendo
• I love that they do their signature catch foot position in the lift
• Great program for them, if only she could have landed the jump
• I really like this choreography for them, it brings a new level of maturity

SP Score: 26.56 (TES) + 24.37 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 49.93

4) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: Figaro

• First clean SBS jumps I've seen from them in a while
• She really cuts off that throw landing, I'd love to see a longer edge
• Slow exit out of the split triple twist
• Really slow death spiral
• They zoom so quickly around the ice but get in and out of the elements so slowly, it's confusifying
• For soem reason this program seemed so explosive to me last season, but now it seems like a string of mediocre elements frantically thrown together
• They have very cool entrances and exits for their lifts, but that was a botched exit today, they nearly finished after the music

SP Score: 27.68 (TES) + 26.44 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 53.12

5) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Harlem Nocturne

• They have such an air of professionalism and theatrics about them
• They are owning this ice
• She landed very low, but held onto the SBS 3T
• He totally missed her body in that split twist and she landed on his shoulder
• Whoa scary moment, he caught an edge with her over his head upside down and tripped in the rotational lift, awkward exit, but safe exit
• Nice clean throw
• I like their spin positions, but they need some more speed
• I like the intricacies of the footwork and how they it plays into the small musical nuances
• This pair has really burst onto the scene in the last year, I like their style a lot

SP Score: 30.06 (TES) + 26.17 (PCS) = 56.23

6) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Imagine

• I loved this program when I first saw it at Skate Canada
• Narumi falls on the SBS toes; her jumping inconsistencies have been a major hindrance for them 
• Huge height on the split 3twist, but not a clean catch
• Not a lot of height on the throw, but a good clean landing
• What a fantastic pair spin this is
• This is my favorite pairs short program of the season, its so beautiful and well composed
• Mervin outskates her everytime, I'd love to see her rise to his level

SP Score: 31.18 (TES) + 27.71 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 57.89

7) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: All Alone

• Scary moment there, Yuko falls and Alexander almost trips over her
• Messy start, botched landing on the split twist
• Decent throw there
• I liked this program a lot at Cup of China, but it seems they're fighting so hard for the elements here that they can't really focus on the character of the piece
• I like the choreography and Alexander really dances it, whereas Yuko does not
• That is really an amazing position on that lift
• I dont' know what it is about her that always seems "off" to me, she looks so frail which is part of it
• She also rarely straightens her legs the whole way

SP Score: 26.85 (TES) + 29.16 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 55.02

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

• Their costumes are always heinous and this is no exception, but I'll give them a pass because I love them
• They go after the throw triple axel and she lands on her side short of rotation
• Good split twist
• Something looked off in the SBS jumps, I didn't catch what happened but somebody doubled I think
• This is such a complete program that you hardly even see the elements
• They have the best spins and the most unique positions
• I love that every second of the choreography reflects the character of the piece, even down to her hand gesture and arm position in the death spiral
• They are upset about the fall on that axel, but kudos to them fro trying it early in the season; I bet they have it by worlds

SP Score: 29.00 (TES) + 31.23 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.23

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	59.23	29.00		31.23	8.04	7.68	7.71	7.82	7.79	1.00	#8
2	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	57.89	31.18		27.71	6.89	6.96	6.93	7.07	6.79	1.00	#6
3	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	56.23	30.06		26.17	6.57	6.21	6.71	6.54	6.68	0.00	#5
4	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	55.48	30.42		25.06	6.43	5.96	6.36	6.36	6.21	0.00	#1
5	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	55.02	26.86		29.16	7.50	7.21	7.14	7.46	7.14	1.00	#7
6	Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE	RUS	53.12	27.68		26.44	6.57	6.46	6.61	6.79	6.61	1.00	#4
7	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	49.93	26.56		24.37	6.18	5.79	6.04	6.29	6.18	1.00	#3
8	Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ	CAN	45.56	23.99		21.57	5.50	5.14	5.46	5.54	5.32	0.00	#2

2011 NHK Trophy: Pairs Preview

NHK is shaping up to be a great pairs event based on the performance of each of these teams earlier this season. All but one team has done at least a Grand Prix or a Senior B thus far in 2011. The competition will be tough and though Gold and Silver seem to be wrapped up, I see about four teams in a race for the Bronze. The pairs take the ice for their short program at 2:45 a.m. EST on Friday November 11th with the free skate at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday November 12th.

Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER) come into this event with a win at Skate America under their belts, despite some major mistakes in the short program. They went for a throw triple axel and fell, but if it is not consistent yet, they may not go for it in this event as they'll have stiffer competition. Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS) technically won Cup of China with a higher score than the Germans at Skate America, but I believe that in head to head competition the Germans will come out victorious. But, if they do go for harder tricks and fail, the grace and lyricism of the Russians may win the day. Now to the 4-way battle for Bronze. I actually like Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA) in this event because they've been nothing but consistent since they teamed up and their current top score is better than the rest of the teams in the hunt for Bronze. They may not be 100% on their precision and unison yet, but they are landing their elements which is a big step for a new pair. Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN) are one of my favorite young pairs and they have some amazing elements with a lovely soft quality about them, but Narumi struggles with consistency on her jumps and throws, which kept them off the podium at Skate Canada. If they go completely clean in both programs they should be on the podium, but I don't know what the chances are, especially under the pressure of the home crowd. Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS) are another of my favorite pairs, and I'm enamored with their A Chorus Line free skate, but they are prone to giving away precious points with jumping errors and lack of presentation. Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA) are a surprise breakout team this season, having medaled at two Senior B events and even they could grab Bronze if they go clean and others make mistakes. Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA) and Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (USA) are slightly behind the rest of the field here, but a strong showing could help them improve their confidence and their World Ranking.

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

Competitive History:

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

Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)-4th 2011 O Nepela, 6th 2010 Skate America, 4th 2010 Skate Canada; 159.85 at 2010 Skate Canada 

Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)-4th at 2011 Skate America3rd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 175.94 (Yankowskas/Coughlin) at 2011 Worlds; PB: 175.40 at 2011 Skate America

Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)-5th at 2011 Skate Canada, 3rd 2011 O Nepela, 1st 2011 Winter Universiade, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 177.44 at 2010 Grand Prix Final


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


Natasha Purich & Raymon Schultz (CAN)-5th 2011 World Juniors, 7th 2010 JGP Final, 3rd 2010 JGP Czech, 3rd 2010 JGP England; PB: 131.77 at 2010 JGP Czech 

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


Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)-4th at 2011 Skate America, 9th 2011 Worlds, 7th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP England; PB: 169.41 at Skate Canada 

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Pairs Short Program

3:45 Todd Sand, famed US pairs skater here is the technical specialist; he also coaches Marley & Brubaker
3:48 I love Lubov, she's such a tiny little fireball Diva!

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

• I love the simple black costume  with the glitter and details
• Is he wearing a yellow bracelet? That's distracting
• Blues piano is certainly a new style for Jessica who was so graceful and elegant with Bryce
• Only a split double twist, top teams will do triples
• Different timing take off for SBS triple toes
• Those jumps will definitely receive a negative GOE
• Very tilted in the air, but lands the throw nonetheless
• This program isn't really doing much for me
• They look nice on the ice together, but they need more time together to get in synch on their jump and spin timing
• Same coaches as Cynthia Phaneuf

SP Score: 28.97 (TES) +24.26 (PCS) = 53.23

2) Xiaoyu Yu & Yang Jin (CHN)
     Music: The Nutcracker

• Waltz of the Flowers, that takes me back......
• This costumes are a little loud for me, but that was an exquisite split triple twist
• She two-foots the SBS jumps and unison is off
• Difficult entrance into the throw, she seems to hang and the air, a little tentative on the landing
• She takes a fall on the footwork sequence, that's unfortunate after their strong start
• That fall will hurt the level of the footwork
• My feed is skipping on me so I lost the lift

SP Score: 28.73 (TES) + 21.55 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 49.28

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

• This feed is skipping....I'm missing a few elements but I'll call what I can
• I can't decide if I like the costumes or not, but they do look professional
• Okay split twist
• This program seems a little choppy to me, but that may be the feed
• And I missed the rest

SP Score: 35.37 (TES) + 37.00 (PCS) = 62.37

4) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: Figaro from The Barber of Seville

• I loved this short last season, huge split triple twist
• Good fast entry into the death spiral
• I also like their spin entry
• I just love everything about them, I don't know what it is but I do
• If my feed would stop slipping I'd give more specific notes
• Spectacular entrance and lift!!

SP Score: 32.34 (TES) + 25.80 (PCS) = 58.14

5) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
     Music: Beetlejuice

• I love this music, the costumes are cool too
• Love Paige's hands on that opening pair spin
• Really good speed
• Low catch on the split triple twist
• Interesting choreography
• Slight unison issue on SBS triple toes
• I'd like to see smoother position changes on the lift and more rotational speed
• Huge height on the throw, Paige can't hold it and falls
• Another fall in the footwork, just Paige though
• Really losing speed now
• A little strange to end the whole way at the end of the rink

SP Score: 26.80 (TES) + 25.31 (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 50.11

6) Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)
     Music: Bring Me Back To Life by Evanescence

• Interesting entrance to center ice, perhaps they think they're hip hop dancers with those chest pops
• This arrangement is very heavy on the synthesizer
• That split triple twist was monstrous
• Odd costume choices, hello studded pleather
• Nailed the SBS 3toes
• Huge Throw, maybe a two-foot
• Really good lift position from her, she really arches her back
• This is a very Morozov program, lots of superfluous hand  movements
• Really nice spin
• They look great together and have great technical elements, but this program was not for me
• Huge crowd pleaser!

SP Score: 39.39 (TES) + 31.03 (PCS) = 70.42

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Imagine

• This is a gorgeous program if they can hit the elements
• Their choreography is beautiful, it looks more ice dance than pairs
• Narumi puts her hand down and spins out, but beautiful SBS toes overall
• HUGE split triple twist, he even has time to put his arms down
• Two-foot and turn out on the throw but she kept it upright
• Mervin is a fantastic partner, Narumi needs to keep working on her singles elements
• That lift is just fantastic overall
• I love this program overall, fantastic musical selection
• That is easily the best death spiral entrance I've ever seen
• Not their best, but no fall deductions

SP Score: 33.01 (TES) + 27.59 (PCS) = 60.60

8) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)
     Music: Country Dance by Josh Turner

• I wish they would have done a new, more mature short program
• Unison off in the SBS jumps
• Good split triple twist
• This piece is so fast, but they really keep up well
• Great throw, you just can't say enough about this team's technical elements
• And they get so into the performance as well
• The position changes on the lift need to be a lot smoother and with faster rotation on his part

SP Score: 32.48 (TES) + 26.75 (PCS) = 59.23

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	70.42	39.39		31.03	7.93	7.43	7.86	7.79	7.79	0.00	#6
2	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	62.37	35.37		27.00	6.75	6.57	6.79	6.93	6.71	0.00	#3
3	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	60.60	33.01		27.59	6.89	6.86	6.68	7.14	6.93	0.00	#7
4	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	59.23	32.48		26.75	6.71	6.36	6.82	6.79	6.75	0.00	#8
5	Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE	RUS	58.14	32.34		25.80	6.64	6.50	6.18	6.57	6.36	0.00	#4
6	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	53.23	28.97		24.26	6.14	5.79	6.07	6.29	6.04	0.00	#1
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	50.11	26.80		25.31	6.46	6.14	6.11	6.50	6.43	2.00	#5
8	Xiaoyu YU / Yang JIN	CHN	49.28	28.73		21.55	5.86	5.29	5.18	5.50	5.11	1.00	#2

Skate Canada: Pairs Practice LIVE BLOG

2:11 This is shaping up to be a fantastic Pairs competition
2:09 The last lift for V/T is pretty fantastic; the callers are impressed and call them a Grade A team
2:04 V/T are up for their free skate run through; I love their speed and power
2:04 I/M have a fantastic final lift in their free skate
2:03 These commentators no longer have any credibility with me, they just asked if Iliushechkina/Maisuradze were at Skate Canada last year; duh, they won!
2:01 From what I've seen, Michael Bennett would be proud of this choreography
2:00 Iliushechkina/Maisuradze on-ice now, this will automatically be my favorite program of the season because it's A Chorus Line
1:58 Throw a triple salchow late in the program; both throws back to back right after the halfway point to get the 10% bonus, following with the Chinese formula
1:57 Now Yu/Jin aren't doing much at all, just some stroking; and then they throw a triple loop
1:56 Yu/Jin did opening elements, but now they're basically doing  a dance-thru
1:55 The commentators think that the non-Bin Yao teams look "North American-ized"
1:54 Yu/Jin also worked with Zoueva for their free skate
1:52 The commentators are saying that because Sui/Han didn't come from the Bin Yao camp, they are much more expressive; I agree, but Shen & Zhao became more expressive later in their careers
1:51 Interesting that Sui & Han hired Marina Zoueva to choreograph this program; I should have know, it's so nuanced, and Sui really uses her head
1:50 Sui & Han are doing their free skate, their connection is much better this season, nice Quad twist
1:49 Group 2 is done warming up, Sui & Han are the first team to skate
1:42 Still waiting for the 2nd group of pairs to arrive, 2 Russians & 2 Chinese
1:13 Definitely work horses in this session
1:12 Jessica Dube has her boot off and if rubbing the side of her foot, landing foot
1:11 The commentators are saying that we're seeing full run throughs in session 1 because North Americans like to pound it in practice, while the Russians in session 2 likely won't do an intense practice
1:10 Outstanding lift, beautiful choreography, they've really become so much more elegant
1:10 Throw was very close to the wall, she tripped up a bit and crashed
1:09 I hope that since they're only doing Senior and not Junior this season, they'll be a little more consistent
1:08 Takahashi and Tran up next, this is a very tender program to Imagine
1:06 Lawrence & Swiegers are killing it! Outstanding free skate they've just done
1:04 I love their lift entrance and the position changes, Rudi looks like he'd be such a great partner
1:03 Paige Lawrence is so teeny-tiny, even by Pairs standards, she's wearing some kind of tape on her back, hopefully not an injury
1:02 She stumbled out of the throw, but the lift was very strong; I love the athleticism
1:01 Great intricate crossing step sequence
1:00 Only triple salchows in this program; great speed, but Eric looks exhausted
12:59 Duhamel & Radford look good, and they are matching!
12:58 I like Dube & Wolfe, I miss Bryce, but they have a beautiful chemistry and look together
12:57 Really great commentary here on the basics of pairs skating
12:55 Dube/Wolfe have good speed in stroking but some slow entries into their elements; jump timing is off
12:54 Dube/Wolfe are this first team to do a run through
12:52 Takahashi & Tran are also in this group, Mervin is precious!
12:52 We seem to have all 3 Canadian pairs in this 1st practice session

2011 Skate Canada: Pairs Preview

This pairs event is sure to be a heated battle between Russia & China, with a little Canada & Japan sprinkled in. The two top teams were born in different decades, so that gives you an idea of how diverse this field is. They take the ice at 3:45pm EST on Friday October 28th for their short program and 4:15pm on Saturday October 29th for the free.

The fact that Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS) are making their Senior Grand Prix debut here is a technicality because they come in as World silver medalists. They look like they were born to skate together and proved that in Moscow last May. They are in a class of their own and shouldn't have any real competition until they face Savchenko & Szolkowy in the Final. Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN) are fresh off two wins on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and are a solid bet for a medal here. They are completing solid Quad twists and throws which gives them a technical leg up, and are also improving their performance level. Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS) started strong in 2010, making the Grand Prix Final, but fell off at their own Nationals and failed to make Worlds. They had a disastrous free skate at O Nepela earlier this month and finished 3rd when they were favored for Silver, so a medal here would restore their confidence for the rest of the season. Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN) are beginning their 2nd season together, but already have a Silver at Four Continents and a 7th place finish at Worlds under their belt. It would be a great season starter for them to do well on home ice. Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN) were all over the map last season, but they owned the Junior circuit and many see them as threats for major Senior medals. For me, they're not quite there yet and still have a very Junior-ish quality, but that being said I'm also very open to seeing how they've progressed and where their new programs will take them. Don't forget reigning Skate Canada and Four Continents bronze medalists Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN) who are aiming to improve their scores this season by upping their program components. Xiaoyu Yu & Yang Jin (CHN) were stars this year on the Junior Grand Prix, winning two Silvers behind Sui & Han and qualifying to the Final. Moving from Junior to Senior is a big step up and I'm excited to see how they transition.

My Podium Predictions:

1) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)

2) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)

3) Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)

Competitive History:

Jessica Dube & Sebastian Wolfe (CAN)-6th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 192.78 (Dube/Davison) at 2008 Worlds

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

Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)-3rd 2011 O Nepela, 1st 2011 Winter Universiade, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 177.44 at 2010 Grand Prix Final

Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)-5th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 3rd 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 3rd 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 171.73 at 2011 Four  Continents

Wenjing Sui & Cong  Han (CHN)-1st 2011 JGP Latvia, 1st 2011 World Juniors, 3rd 2010 Grand Prix Final, 3rd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 179.04 at 2010 Grand Prix Final

Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)-9th 2011 Worlds, 7th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP England; PB: 165.47 at 2010 Rostelecom Cup 

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)-1st 2011 O Nepela, 1st 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2nd 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Mont Blanc Trophy; PB: 210.73 at 2011 Worlds

Xiaoyu Yu & Yang Jin (CHN)-3rd 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP Czech Republic, 3rd 2010 JGP Austria; 140.58 at 2010 JGP Final 

2011 Ondrej Nepala Memorial: Pairs Short Program Results

Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	66.48	34.32		32.16	8.05	7.80	8.05	8.20	8.10	0.00	#5
2	Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodary MAISURADZE	RUS	60.12	32.36		27.76	6.90	6.70	6.90	7.15	7.05	0.00	#2
3	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	54.68	29.28		25.40	6.35	6.05	6.20	6.55	6.60	0.00	#4
4	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SCHNAPIR	USA	53.86	28.42		25.44	6.35	6.05	6.45	6.50	6.45	0.00	#3
5	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	35.00	13.88		22.12	5.60	5.30	5.35	5.80	5.60	1.00	#1

Pairs Free Skate Results

StN.	Name	Nation	Current Rank	Points
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SCHNAPIR	USA	4	53.86
2	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	5	35.00
	Warm-Up Group 2
3	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	3	54.68
4	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	1	66.48
5	Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodary MAISURADZE	RUS	2	60.12

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

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2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Spellbound Concerto

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 45.56 (SP) + (FS) =

2) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninov

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Total Score: 49.93 (SP) + (FS) =

3) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: A Chorus Line

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 53.12 (SP) + (FS) =

4) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: Clair de Lune

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 55.02 (SP) + (FS) =

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

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 55.48 (SP) + (FS) =

6) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Adagio in G Minor for organ and strings

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 56.23 (SP) + (FS) =

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Concerto de Quebec

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 57.89 (SP) + (FS) =

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

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Total Score: 59.23 (SP) + (FS) =

2010 ISU Grand Prix Final: Pairs Free Skate

1) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (Canada)

   Music: Les Miserables by Boublil & Schonberg

• I fell in love with this team and this program when I first saw them at Skate Canada, expect a huge score
• I love how she does a shoot the duck before the split twist as the contrast makes the twist look higher
• Triple toe-double axel sequence is solid
• She holds the landing on the throw triple loop
• They have phenomenal lifts and this lasso is no exception
• She goes down on a hand and a knee on the triple salchow, but i don't think it was a fall 
• The lasso lift where he goes onto one foot is great
• She holds the second throw landing as well, the triple salchow
• Spins are good
• And here is the hilight, the hand to hip lift starting with Dylan in a lunge
• FS Score: 59.21 (TES) + 52.63 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)= 110.84
• 58.73 (SP) + 110.84 (FS) = 159.67

2) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (Russia)

   Music: Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis

• Their speed is great right from the start
• I like that they start with a triple salchow as opposed to the usual split triple twist
• The triple toe-double toe sequence is very strong, both are great singles skaters
• Lubov two-foots the landing on the throw triple flip
• She has a gorgeous arch in her back in the lasso lift
• She shows off that arch again in the pair spin
• Wonderful height and solid landing on the throw triple loop and they get a bonus for placing it past the halfway point
• I really like their choreography and they have some pretty intricate holds
•  Fantastic unison on the spins, they have really done a lot of work since their less than stellar showing at Cup of China
• He struggles a bit to get her up on the hand to hip lift but once she is up, her positions are gorgeous
• She has a very nice death spiral, but finishes after the music
• Lubov does her signature fist pump after a strong program
• Ekaterina Bobrova is supporting them from the stands, looks very happy for them
• This program has grown on me so much since I first saw it at Skate Canada
• FS Score: 60.99 (TES) + 56.39 (PCS) = 117.38
• 60.06 (SP) + 117.38 (FS) = 177.44

3) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (China)
   Music: City Lights by Charlie Chaplin

• Nice opening sequence with clean jumps and a good split twist
• She landed really funny falling on the quad salchow throw, almost in a split position, I hope she didn't hurt her knees, not sure if she fully rotated or not
• That spiral sequence shows off the amazing flexibility in her back
•  Her throw triple flip was huge and she landed it perfectly
• I love that position in that combination spin where she is in the needle
• I want her to point her feet harder in the lift positions
• Overall a very good showing for them minus the fall on the throw quad salchow
• They are so young, could easily be juniors, and they have a very bright future ahead of them
• FS Score: 63.28 (TES) + 55.27 (PCS) -1.00 = 117.55
• 61.49 (SP) + 117.55 (FS) = 179.04

4) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (Russia)
   Music: The Man in the Iron Mask by Nick Glennie-Smith

• I love the drama and commitment to character in the opening sequence
• Their speed is wonderful right off the bat
• Vera stumbles out of the triple toe but doesn't fall which is surprising for how tilted she was in the air
• Nice clean catch on the split triple twist
• She eeks out a landing on the throw triple flip
• Vera falls on the first jump of the double axel-double axel combination and doesn't attempt the second; Yuri falls on the second
• They have nice interesting exits from their lifts
• They are much stronger artistically than any team thus far, but those incidents on the combination jump will hurt their technical mark
• Second throw is a good strong landing
• Their unison is a bit off on their spins
• I would like more stretch and pointed toes in the lifts
• FS Score: 57.40 (TES) + 57.54 (PCS)v-2.00(DED) = 112.94
• 63.86 (SP) + 112.94 (FS) = 176.80

 5) Qing Pang & Jian Tong (China)
   Music: Liebestraum (Dream of Love) by Liszt

• Great double axel-double axel sequence and the crowd is loving it
• This press lift isn't the most attractive position, but its strong nonetheless
• Good unison on the spins
• They've struggled with jumps and spin unison  this season, but it seems like they've done a lot of work since winning Cup of China
• Amazing artistry, no pair has them beat in terms of grace, elegance, and expression
• I love these new costumes! So gorgeous
• Strong throw triple salchow
• Throw triple loop gets huge height, but she puts her hand down
• With their height and long limbs, the lasso lifts look particularly great
• The crowd seems to love them and they certainly were gorgeous
• FS Score: 55.20 (TES) + 66.10 (PCS) = 121.30
• 68.63 (SP) + 121.30 (FS) = 189.93

 6) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (Germany)
   Music: The Pink Panther by Mancini

• They open with a huge throw triple flip 
• Then into a triple toe-triple toe sequence with slight unison problems
• I hate that extended free leg death spiral position
• Issues on the spins, Aliona does one  extra leg catch revolution and the unison gets off
• Her flexibility is crazy on that spiral, similar to a Sasha Cohen
• Triple twist lacked height
• Landed double axels but Aliona looked shaky
• I love that bend leg position in the hand to hip lift
• I always think this program is over before the footwork starts
• The leg catch position on th overhead lift is amazing
• Throw triple salchow doesn't travel far but it is a clean landing 
• FS Score: 67.48 (TES) + 68.84 (PCS) = 136.32
• 74.40 (SP) + 136.32 (FS) = 210.72

Final Results:
1) Savchenko/Szolkowy                     210.72
2) Pang/Tong                                     189.31
3) Sui/Han                                          179.04
4) Iliushechkina/Maisuradze              177.44
5) Bazarova/Larionov                        176.80
6) Moore-Towers/Moscovitch              159.67