2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Schedule (EST)

Hi guys, I've converted all of the Grand Prix Event Schedules into Eastern Standard Time. Happy watching!

SKATE CANADA
Friday October 26th
2:05pm-Ladies Short Program
3:45pm-Pairs Short Program
7:30pm-Men's Short Program
9:10pm-Short Dance

Saturday October 27th
10:45am-Ladies Free Skate
1:05am-Pairs Free Skate
4:40pm-Free Dance
7:10pm-Men's Free Program

CUP OF CHINA
Friday November 2nd
4:00am-Short Dance
5:30am-Ladies Short Program
7:30am-Men's Short Program
9:15am-Pairs Short Program

Saturday November 3rd
3:00am-Free Dance
4:40am-Ladies Free Skate
6:35am-Mens Free Skate
8:35am-Pairs Free Skate

ROSTELECOM CUP
Friday November 9th
6:00am-Ladies Short Program
7:40am-Pairs Short Program
9:45am-Mens Short Program
11:25am-Short Dance
Saturday November 10th
5:00am-Ladies Free Skate
6:50am-Pairs Free Skate
8:30am-Mens Free Skate
10:30am-Free Dance

TROPHEE ERIC BOMPARD
Friday November 16th-Sunday November 18th
*Full Schedule Coming Soon

NHK TROPHY
Friday November 23rd-Sunday November 25th
*Full Schedule Coming Soon

GRAND PRIX FINAL
Thursday December 6th-Sunday December 9th
*Ful Schedule Coming Soon

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

1) Tomas Verner (CZE)                              
     Music: Sing Sing Sing, La Vie En Rose

• He is looking like a totally different skater out there today
• When he is on, he reminds me so much if Ilia Kulike
• I like this program on him a lot, it reminds me of his Singin in the Rain
• That was a horrifying fall on the triple axel, landing in a split position
• I'm surprised he can continue after that fall
• I'm not surprised he doubled his triple axel
• Oh wow we're taking the suspenders down for the footwork
• Oh no, another footwork fall
• What a shame because it was a great 1st half of the program
• This will be a hit by Europeans and Worlds if he can clean it up

FS Score: 63.89 (TES) + 71.78 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 133.67
Total Score: 62.96 (SP) + 133.67 (FS) =196.63

2) Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA)
     Music: Kill Bill

• Good glide out of the triple lutz
• Nice glide out of the triple axel into steps
• I like this music a lot, I can see it being a hit by Nationals
• He does a good job of using his whole body in the footwork
• I like the intensity and variation in the music, but his performance is lacking spark
• He needs to find a way of connecting with the music
• Straighten your leg and point your foot in the sit position please
• Unfortunate fall halfway through, and he was going so strong!
• Still needs work, but a huge improvement from Skate America!

FS Score: 61.12 (TES) + 61.94 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 122.06
Total Score: 63.52 (SP) + 122.06 (FS) = 185.58

3) Samuel Contesti (ITA)
     Music: La Vie En Rose, Ca Gaze

• This was a great program at Skate America
• He is such a tall skater that it's hard for him to not look hunched when he tries to get deep into the ice
• Really high triple axel
• Suspenders are the accessory of the season
• He uses his performance skills to his advantage by always doing character programs
• Both of these pieces of music work together so well
• He has such a love for the sport and that shows out on the ice
• Not too many other people make their 3axel their 3-jump combination
• He's really playing to the crowd in this step sequence
• He's a little stiff in his upper body, I'd like to see him relax there a bit
• He music really speeds up at the end, but unfortunately his final spin can't match the speed

FS Score: 74.52 (TES) + 71.34 (PCS) = 145.86
Total Score: 63.83 (SP) + 145.86 (FS) = 209.69

4) Ross Miner (USA)
     Music: The Untouchables

• This was a strong skate at Skate Canada
• His hair looks a little messy today
• He has great body lines
• Beautiful triple axel into a pirouetting move
• Another nice triple axel
• I love that he becomes a character in this story
• Step out of the triple lutz, a little too much speed going in
• I love the headless variation of the scratch spin
• He is carrying a ton of speed
• He looks a little stiff on his jump landings
• I'd love to see deeper knees in his landings
• This is a very complete program, very majestic
• Very nice outing for him
• He fought for a few landings, but that builds character
• He's quite happy with this skate!

FS Score: 74.22 (TES) + 67.02 (PCS) = 141.24
Total Score: 71.12 (SP) + 141.24 (FS) = 212.36

5) Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
     Music: Don Quixote

• He is so small and sprightly!
• He SAVED that jump!
• He's a very  nice skater with great expression
• Pops the axel
• The jumps aren't all there and most will probably receive negative GOE's but that doesnt detract from the fact that this is a nice program
• He could use a lot more speed in this step sequence
• Nice ending pose

FS Score: 54.57 (TES) + 68.62 (PCS) = 123.19
Total Score: 72.26 (SP) + 123.19 (FS) = 195.45

6) Konstantin Menshov (RUS)
     Music: The Race, Kill Bill

• This is interesting sound design to say the least
• His jumps are huge, but really ugly in the air
• This program is so Russian
• Hard fall to the hip, slid off the landing edge
• Another hard fall to the hip
• These jumps are so big he can't maintain control
• He has not 1 ounce of expression on his face
• Very slow spins 
• That flexed foot is so ugly
• Well this is a string of huge jumps and that's about it

FS Score: 58.57 (TES) + 64.64 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 121.21
Total Score: 74.67 (SP) + 121.21 (FS) = 195.88

7) Brandon Mroz (USA)
     Music: Carmen

• Very tilted in the air on the Quad Lutz, falls
• Hand down on the triple axel
• I hate to say it, but jumps are all he has
• He can't fall back on PCS when he misses jumps
• He needs to point the feet on the sit spin
• He has no expression on his face
• His disappointment over the jumps is ruining this program
• Singles the axel, this program is really going nowhere fast
• If you're using overdone music you need to make it fresh, and this is not
• Another popped axel
• Has all the focus on the Quad lutz distracted him from the rest of his skating?
• Yet another popped jump, this is painful to watch, I feel for him
• I'd love to know how coaches inspire their athletes after meltdowns like that

FS Score: 45.44 (TES) + 65.56 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 110.00
Total Score: 74.83 (SP) + 110.00 (FS) = 184.83

8) Takahiko Kozuka (JPN)
     Music: The Valley of the Wind

• I love that back pat that Sato gives Taka
• I'd love to see him in a more modern costume
• His expression has improved so much this season
• Two-foots the Quad Toe
• Good triple axel on a really deep leg
• His improvement from Skate America to NHK is amazing!
• This home crowd has really helped him to regain his confidence
• That was a gigantic triple axel! 3-jump combo
• I really like this choreography
• Ends a little before the music
• It wasn't perfect, but it was such an improvement

FS Score: 76.67 (TES) + 78.56 (PCS) = 155.25
Total Score: 79.77 (SP) + 155.25 (FS) = 235.02

9) Daisuke Takahshi (JPN)
     Music: Blues for Klook

• Goes for the Quad Flip, falls
• Amazing triple axel
• I don't love all of his spin positions
• All of his "in betweens" are the highlights of his programs
• If there was ever a case for solo ice dance, it's Takahashi
• His jumps are always a little questionable, but he's solid today
• He just has the crowd in the palm of his hand
• If he didn't have to do jumps and could just get credit for like 10 step sequences it would be a dream come true
• He is overcome with the emotion of this crowd

FS Score: 80.04 (TES) + 90.28 (PCS)  -1.00 (DED) = 169.32
Total Score: 90.43 (SP) + 169.32 (FS) = 259.75

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

1) Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)

     Music: Chale Chalo, Mon Amour

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

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

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

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

     Music: Walking in the Sand

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

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

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

3) Lorenza Alessandrini & Simone Vaturi (ITA)

     Music: Tosca

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

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

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

4) Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi (GER)

     Music: Romeo & Juliet 

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

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

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

5) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)

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

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

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

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

6) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

     Music: Je Suis Malade

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

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

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

7) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)

     Music: Ave Maria

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

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

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

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

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

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

1) Shoko Ishikawa (JPN)
     Music: Miss Saigon

• She clearly does not have the jumping content of the other Japanese ladies, but I like her overall flow across the ice
• This is very dynamic music, I'd like to see more interpretation and facial expression
• She needs to straighten the leg on the sit spin
• I feel like she is not committing to this program, she doesn't seem like she's giving it 100%
• There is not nearly enough energy in this step sequence
• She is almost crying, I don't know if that's because she's happy she didn't fall or if she's upset about something

FS Score: 34.14 (TES) + 42.93 (PCS) = 77.07
Total Score: 45.07 (SP) + 77.07 (FS) = 122.14

2) Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN)
     Music: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

• She is such a hard skater to watch because you know she is stuck inside her own head
• If she could get herself straightened out mentally and just perform it would be amazing
• And we start with a popped jump
• One of the few skaters brave enough to go backless without illusion fabric
• And another pop
• She clearly has no self-confidence as these jumps are fine in the air but but she second guesses herself and opens up out of them
• I don't love this classical piece on her, I'd rather see something more modern and aggressive
• I'd rather see a skater fall 5 times than pop jumps because at least then you know they are really going for it
• She is starting to look like herself here in the step sequence
• It's a shame she wasn't able to take over where Joannie Rochette left off 
• She is not happy with that at all

FS Score: 38.71 (TES) + 48.69 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 86.40
Total Score: 45.42 (SP) + 86.40 (FS) = 131.82

3) Mae Berenice Meite (FRA)
     Music: Fever, Hey Pachuko, Who Framed Roger Rabbit

• I am not a fan of this costume on her, it would be perfect for a Latin short dance, but not a singles program
• When the back is cut so low that you can see the top of your tights, you know it's a problem
• She has a very high wrap on her jump rotations which is a technical issue
• The jumps are her strength and when she under-rotates and puts hands down, that really hurts her
• She has pretty good speed, at least what I can see on my screen
• Her jump entries are very long, she could earn more points by changing the entries with some steps
• This is a very weak spiral positions, she'd do well to actually hold the leg up as Nancy Kerrigan did
• This is an odd mixture of music for me
• The ending was strange, I felt she was just standing and posing

FS Score: 47.68 (TES) + 43.96 (PCS) = 91.64
Total Score: 52.05 (SP) + 91.64 (FS) = 143.69

4) Kiira Korpi (FIN)
     Music: I Got Rhythm

• This is a very interesting costume, I'm not sure how I feel about the shoulder details, but it looks very high fashion to me
• This is very playful and theatrical choreography
• Very good speed so far
• I love that she is perfectly in the period of this music, down to her hairstyle
• Great fly into the sit spin
• I love her commitment to the performance
• She has such fantastic posture and body carriage
• She's having a hard time finding the jumps today, a lot of doubling and singling
• I'm liking this program on her, it's a departure from what she usually does and I appreciate the risk
• She needs to stretch out through her fingertips, breaking at the wrists disrupts the arm line
• Abrupt ending of the final spin trying to catch the last beat of the music on time

FS Score: 46.23 (TES) + 57.60 (PCS) = 103.83
Total Score: 53.70 (SP) + 103.83 (FS) = 157.53

5) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
     Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• It's strange seeing a new coach her with her
• I don't like the dark hair, it doesn't work for her at all
• I like this costume, it's a step in the right direction after what she wore last season
• She is skating very slowly starting out
• She rotates very quickly with a nice straight body position and very tightly wrapped legs
• Her spins have improved greatly
• She doesn't look over her legs in these jumps
• Her spiral position has improved as well
• Though she's not proving it today, I think that switching coaches will prove to be a positive in the long run
• That leg overhead sit spin variation is very cool
• I don't know that this music suits her so well, it is very big and broad and she needs to have the personality to live up to it
• After the second fall, she is really struggling to get back up and keep going
• She still looks very fit, but she looks undertrained stamina-wise
• I appreciate the toe point on the I-spin, most skaters have an ugly flexed foot in that spin

FS Score: 36.52 (TES) + 49.82 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 84.35
Total Score: 53.84 (SP) + 84.35 (FS) =138.19

6) Ashley Wagner (USA)
     Music: Black Swan

• I've always thought that skating 1st after warm-up must be difficult
• This costume is exquisite
• I love her upper body carriage
• I wish she'd look up at the audience more rather than down at the ice
• Very nice 3-jump combo to open, with an arm variation
• Her rotation speed is much faster now, after the coaching change
• She his fighting harder for the landings this season than ever before
• I love way she uses her arms to attack the music
• She's been getting lower PCS than I believe she deserves so it seems that the judges are holding her down until she can earn their respect again
• With these programs and her execution of them, I hope she goes to Worlds along with Czisny
• She'll be so happy with this skate!

FS Score: 54.45 (TES) + 55.32 (PCS)  = 109.77
Total Score: 55.88 (SP) + 109.77 (FS) = 165.65

7) Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
     Music: Phantom of the Opera

• I don't like this costume, it just doesn't suit the music at all
• That was a very long approach to that triple lutz, hand down
• She is getting better at fighting for landings, Orser has clearly helped her mental game
• I'm so over Phantom!
• She is an athlete, but she really does nothing to try to interpret the music
• What an ugly heel stretch spiral, she needs to point the foot and drop the hip
• She looks a little disappointed in that skate

FS Score: 47.74 (TES) + 56.33 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 103.07
Total Score: 57.37 (SP) + 103.07 (FS) = 160.44

8) Mao Asada (JPN)
     Music: Liebestraum

• Mao is getting huge applause here at home
• Opens with a 3A, likely short of rotation
• I'm glad she's having another go at this program after the rough last season
• That toe point on the catch foot spin is gorgeous
• Another triple axel! 
• This is a piece of art and the jumps are just part of it
• Aside from a few jump exits that could be held out a bit longer, this was a fantastic program
• She's made a comeback! And at home!

FS Score: 61.20 (TES) + 64.57 (PCS) = 125.77
Total Score: 58.42 (SP) + 125.77 (FS) = 184.19

9) Alena Leonova (RUS)
     Music: Adagio for Strings, Requiem for a Tower

• She is a very clean jumper with fast rotation
• This is actually a fairly elegant program compared to what she normally puts out there
• She looks very calm, she's not giving away the easy point that she normally gives
• Toe jumps are much stronger for her than edge jumps
• She has rather long, boring entrances to her jumps
• And she just opened up a jump, so much for not making small mistakes
• She needs to concentrate on pointing her feet
• That was a very abrupt ending
• Very wild footwork, she needs to control it
• PS what is up with her hair?

FS Score: 50.50 (TES) + 58.42 (PCS) = 108.92
Total Score: 61.76 (SP) + 108.92 (FS) = 170.68


10) Akiko Suzuki (JPN)
      Music: Die Fledermaus

• Akiko is so teeny tiny!
• Would be great to see Japan go 1, 2 in this event
• Nice triple lutz, great extension on the free leg
• I've never seen someone continue improving technically in their later years as she is
• She has such an elegance in her body carriage
• I love that "sleeping position" on the sit spin variation
• That upside down broken camel is just ugly, though I know it increases the level
• Popped a jump, but still able to add on two doubles to make a 3-jump combo, now that's a veteran move
• Another pop, she is opening the door for Mao
• She'll hold on to win, but this is not the perfect free skate she wanted for her first Grand Prix victory

FS Score: 57.04 (TES) + 62.39 (PCS) = 119.43
Total Score: 66.55 (SP) + 119.43 (FS) = 185.98

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	185.98	1	2
2	Mao ASADA	JPN	184.19	3	1
3	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	170.68	2	4
4	Ashley WAGNER	USA	165.65	5	3
5	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	160.44	4	6
6	Kiira KORPI	FIN	157.53	7	5
7	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	143.69	8	7
8	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	138.19	6	9
9	Cynthia PHANEUF	CAN	131.82	9	8
10	Shoko ISHIKAWA	JPN	122.14	10	10

Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES + PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Mao ASADA JPN 125.77 61.20 64.57 8.11 7.75 8.07 8.21 8.21 0.00 #8 2 Akiko SUZUKI JPN 119.43 57.04 62.39 8.07 7.50 7.71 7.75 7.96 0.00 #10 3 Ashley WAGNER USA 109.77 54.45 55.32 7.04 6.61 7.04 7.00 6.89 0.00 #6 4 Alena LEONOVA RUS 108.92 50.50 58.42 7.54 6.86 7.43 7.32 7.36 0.00 #9 5 Kiira KORPI FIN 103.83 46.23 57.60 7.14 7.00 7.11 7.39 7.36 0.00 #4 6 Elene GEDEVANISHVILI GEO 103.07 47.74 56.33 7.32 6.75 7.07 7.00 7.07 1.00 #7 7 Mae Berenice MEITE FRA 91.64 47.68 43.96 5.68 5.18 5.54 5.54 5.54 0.00 #3 8 Cynthia PHANEUF CAN 86.40 38.71 48.69 6.36 5.71 5.96 6.18 6.21 1.00 #2 9 Agnes ZAWADZKI USA 84.35 36.53 49.82 6.50 6.04 6.14 6.25 6.21 2.00 #5 10 Shoko ISHIKAWA JPN 77.07 34.14 42.93 5.61 5.18 5.29 5.54 5.21 0.00 #1

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 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Short Dance LIVE BLOG

12:55 It seems we have a pretty balanced panel between North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia. That's always a good place to start
12:58 Warm-up Group 2 on the ice
12:59 Cathy Reed's costume is soooo over the top

1) Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (USA)
   Music: Hielo y Fuego, La Vuelta

• This is my first time seeing their new programs so I'm very excited!
• They have a nice look together overall
• It's interesting to see how different teams make their way to center ice
• Great hip action from Logan at the beginning, Lynn is a little stiff
• Great unique twizzle positions, but a little slow
• Good speed and deep edging in the 1st Rhumba sequence
• Good character change with the music change
• Her dress is a little too "middle school dance competition," for me, I'd live it to be less costumey
• Nice position by Lynn in that straight line lift
• I kind of wish their step sequence was on a faster piece of music, but I appreciate the precision
• Great energy going into the 2nd Rhumba sequence
• Nice ending, great program overall
• They're very happy!

SD Score: 27.79 (TES) + 23.02 (PCS) = 50.81

2) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (CAN)
   Music: 2046 Main Theme, The Havana Slido

• I like the flow of this program
• I can't wait to see them mature more in terms of passion and relationship
• I really like this smooth, moderate tempo piece of music to juxtapose the warp speed pieces other teams are using
• They are beginning to lose speed in the quicker piece of music, which makes me wish they'd stuck to the smoother rhythms
• Rough transitions and position changes in the final section
• For some reason, they just lack the polish they had last season and I don't know what it is

SD Score: 26.29 (TES) + 23.07 (PCS) = 49.36

3) Lorenza Alessandrini & Simone Vaturi (ITA)
   Music: Chiquitere, mas che nada, Abrazame, Samba de rio

• They looked very rough to me in warm-up so we'll see
• Her unpointed feet really stand out to me at the beginning
• The twizzles looked a little wild, on the verge of going out of control
• Her posture could be better, but his is great
• I'd love to see more speed on each push of the blade alone with deeper edges
• The leg lines don't always match
• I don't know why, but she looks to be over-acting while he is under-acting, can't they meet in the middle?
• Nice position changes in the rotational lift, but almost no speed in the exit
• Nice musicality in the step sequence
• They are very rough around, they must work toward gaining polish and elegance to truly be competitive
• I like their energy a lot, and they were happy with the skate!

SD Score: 29.22 (TES) + 25.15 (PCS) = 54.37

4) Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)
   Music: La Llama, Whatever Happens

• One of two brother-sister teams competing in ice dance here
• Chris looked to be a hair faster on the twizzle sets
• They always seem to have a few moments in each program that are way too passionate for a sibling and this piece is no exception
• They are attempting to make this Rhumba look sensual which is creepy
• Slight slip from Chris on the circular not toughing step sequence, will drop the level
• They are really lacking speed in this 2nd Rhumba sequence
• Slow position changes in the rotational lift, awkward exit
• If I were a judge I'd deduct fro sibling creepiness

SD Score: 24.63 (TES) + 24.73 (PCS) = 49.36

5) Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi (GER)
   Music: Desperados, Once Upon a Time in Mexico

• I didn't like these costumes at Skate America and I don't like them now
• His shirt looks like it came from a GAP clearance bin and her shredded look is so wrong 
• They carry really nice speed and get really deep into their edges
• She has beautiful upper body carriage (albeit hidden under that flowing top) but his arms and shoulders are stiff and held too high
• Slight twizzle issue, they appeared to fall into one another at the end
• I like Russian look she has about her...very Irina Lobacheva
• Those costumes do NOT work for the 2nd piece of music

SD Score: 29.50 (TES) + 27.19 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 55.69

6) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)
   Music: HipHip ChinChin, Mas que Nada, Mujer Latina

• I like how they are coming out of the gate with a ton of speed, though I can't hear that opening music without thinking Virtue & Moir
• I want her costume to have more color as she's such a fiery diva
• Have they learned to twizzle in the off-season? Not so much, major separation by the 3rd set and a slight unison issue
• They look to be running out of steam toward the end
• Nice debut for them, I like the program but it needs polish, it looked a little frantic to me

SD Score: 29.86 (TES) + 31.97 (PCS) = 61.83

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

• Maia is starting to pull her face in a Madison Chock-type way and I love it
• Great speed as per the usual
• Nice edging
• Did Maia's dress always have that cutout? I like it!
• They are probably the best twizzlers in the world
• I love that their take on the Rhumba is youthful and energetic, nothing awkwardly sensual
• This has smoothed out more and more each time I've seen it, but there seems to be something missing from this piece and I don't quite know what it is
• Speed is hard to see on TV, but they seem to have lost some in the step sequence
• That program seemed to go on and on and on, which isn't a good sign
• It needs some sort of added spark, I'll call Igor when I figure it out

SD Score: 29.50 (TES) + 30.52 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.02

8) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)
     Music: Historia de un Amor, Batacuda

• I feel bad for Kaitlyn because I can't watch her, I just stare at Andrew
• They need to soak every point than can out of this short dance and try to take a big lead
• Really nice deep knees and matching leg line
• I really appreciate that they take the time to turn out their free leg
• This piece is so smooth and each element connects to the next
• I see such a difference in them this season, they have so much added confidence after the great Worlds finish
• Bobble on the 1st twizzle set and major loss of speed on the 2nd set
• They look slightly out of sorts on this step sequence, but the choreography is great and makes fantastic use of the musical nuances
• It got a little wild toward the end, they need to know when to reign it in

SD Score: 28.51 (TES) + 31.56 (PCS) = 60.07

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	61.83	29.86		31.97	7.96	7.68	8.11	8.04	8.11	0.00	#6
2	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	60.07	28.51		31.56	7.79	7.61	7.89	7.96	8.11	0.00	#8
3	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA	59.02	29.50		30.52	7.71	7.43	7.71	7.68	7.61	1.00	#7
4	Nelli ZHIGANSHINA / Alexander GAZSI	GER	55.69	29.50		27.19	6.93	6.57	6.82	6.82	6.82	1.00	#5
5	Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI	ITA	54.37	29.22		25.15	6.11	5.93	6.46	6.36	6.50	0.00	#3
6	Lynn KRIENGKRAIRUT / Logan GIULIETTI-SCHMITT	USA	50.81	27.79		23.02	5.75	5.46	5.82	5.93	5.79	0.00	#1
7	Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM	CAN	49.36	26.29		23.07	5.93	5.68	5.75	5.71	5.75	0.00	#2
8	Cathy REED / Chris REED	JPN	49.36	24.63		24.73	6.29	6.04	6.21	6.18	6.18	0.00	#4