2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.   Qual. Name Nation TSS = TES +   PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Q Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 68.63 35.74   32.89 8.29 7.96 8.29 8.32 8.25 0.00 #19 2 Q Qing PANG / Jian TONG CHN 67.10 33.94   33.16 8.36 7.93 8.39 8.39 8.39 0.00 #20 3 Q Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN JPN 65.37 34.94   30.43 7.57 7.50 7.68 7.68 7.61 0.00 #11 4 Q Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV RUS 65.02 35.33   29.69 7.57 7.32 7.46 7.46 7.29 0.00 #14 5 Q Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD CAN 63.69 35.00   29.69 7.50 7.32 7.46 7.46 7.36 1.00 #17 6 Q Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN CHN 63.27 34.90   29.37 7.21 7.11 7.46 7.54 7.39 1.00 #18 7 Q Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN USA 62.48 34.36   28.12 7.14 6.61 7.32 6.96 7.11 0.00 #10 8 Q Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV RUS 60.48 31.62   30.86 7.93 7.36 7.68 7.79 7.82 2.00 #16 9 Q Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK ITA 60.39 32.39   28.00 6.96 6.71 7.07 7.14 7.11 0.00 #15 10 Q Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER USA 59.62 33.08   26.54 6.68 6.29 6.82 6.75 6.64 0.00 #4 11 Q Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 59.59 31.20   30.39 7.68 7.50 7.50 7.68 7.64 2.00 #13 12 Q Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE CAN 55.83 30.37   25.46 6.50 6.21 6.36 6.46 6.29 0.00 #8 13 Q Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES FRA 50.51 27.36   23.15 6.04 5.50 5.96 5.82 5.61 0.00 #7 14 Q Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE ITA 49.07 27.88   21.19 5.64 4.93 5.39 5.32 5.21 0.00 #5 15 Q Maylin HAUSCH / Daniel WENDE GER 48.48 25.44   24.04 6.32 5.75 6.04 6.07 5.86 1.00 #12 16 Q Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE GER 47.91 25.66   22.25 5.79 5.21 5.75 5.64 5.43 0.00 #1 17 Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI ISR 44.69 25.90   18.79 5.00 4.39 4.93 4.68 4.50 0.00 #6 18 Anais MORAND / Timothy LEEMANN SUI 44.59 24.28   20.31 5.29 4.86 5.14 5.18 4.93 0.00 #9 19 Stacey KEMP / David KING GBR 39.33 23.24   18.09 4.64 4.57 4.57 4.50 4.32 2.00 #2 20 Ji Hyang RI / Won Hyok THAE PRK 36.23 19.03   18.20 5.04 4.11 4.64 4.57 4.39 1.00 #3

2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Free Skate LIVE Coverage

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

• Huge split 3twist
• Some issues on both sets of SBS jumps
• A lot of position changes, but not the beauty we're used to from the other teams
• Very sloppy death spiral positions, grip changes to up the level
• There is not much of a performance here, no attention to character, who are they even playing?
• Gigantic throw, as per the Chinese tradition
• This is very much a string of elements with no artistry at all
• They look happy to have made it through the program, very winded

46.37 (TES) + 42.02 (PCS) = 88.39
49.52 (SP) + 88.39 (FS) = 137.91

2) Yue Zhang & Lei Wang (CHN)
 Music: Singin' In the Rain

• That's a very cute opening
• Was that only a split double twist? From the Chinese?
• A little timing issue on the SBS jumps
• Good ice coverage on that lift, I like the spinning exit; cleaner positions than the other Chinese team
• They look like they're having a lot of fun out there
• Some unison problems on the spins, he is rotating much faster than her
• Nice smooth throw, not the power of Dong/Wu
• Turn out of the 2nd throw, a little low on the landing
• Backward entrance adds difficulty to that lift
• That spiral with her foot on his shoulder is unique, it's risky for him
• Major skid getting that final lift up, that could've been really scary
• Much more attention to performance than Dong/Wu, I appreciate the commitment

46.77 (TES) + 45.43 (PCS) = 92.20
48.04 (SP) + 92.20 (FS) = 140.24

3) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)
 Music: Viva La Vida, Yellow

• I'm loving Meagan's braid
• She looks smaller than normal to me for some reason
• Really good split twist, I love the footwork into it 
• This is a very well composed program
• Hand down from Meagan on the first jump, but they still execute the 3-jump combo
• Fall from Meagan on the second jump sequence, some thing has looked really off with her this week
• Eric has really grown on me, my eye is going to him more than Meagan now
• I love that swinging entrance into the spins
• I love it when the spins transition the music into the 2nd piece
• It's nitpicky, but his shirt is a little too blousy for me
• He's looking really unsteady on these lifts
• Good save muscling out that throw, she's a fighter
• She floats like nobody's business into those lifts
• Hand down and maybe a 2-foot on the 2nd throw
• They are giving up a ton of points here and there
• Not the dream free skate they had a Canadians, but they still have Worlds left to peak

62.27 (TES) + 52.96 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 114.23
57.53 (SP) + (FS) = 171.76

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

• This music kills me but I won't hold it against them
• I can't imagine rehearsing to this music daily
• The split twist is still eluding them, but it's getting there
• She' the veteran, she should be able to land these jumps
• Slight unison on the spins
• The free skate is usually where the "newness" in this pair shows
• She just sat that throw down, perhaps a speed issue
• They are having trouble relating to this music
• Another fall on the throw, he looked to mouth "I'm sorry" to her
• They're really unraveling, I'm praying for safe lifts
• She seems to have no energy whatsoever, but he still looks strong
• That carry lift needs more ice coverage and perhaps a more robust section of the music to be effective

49.45 (TES) + 49.66 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 97.11
57.68 (SP) + 97.11 (FS) = 154.79

5) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
 Music: The Man in the Iron Mask

• This team has been focusing on PCS over TES, we'll see if it shows
• Sloppy shoulder catch on the split 3 twist
• Slight unison break on the SBS jumps
• More unison issues on the 2a sequence
• Paige is usually such a firecracker but this program doesn't have any life to me
• More unison problems on the spins
• I like that they're having fun, but they're a little too smiley for this dramatic music
• That hydroblade entrance into the death spiral was cool
• They still look pretty high energy about halfway through
• Rough entrance into that lift, a struggle to get up, you could see Paige talking him through
• Not a lot of distance or height on these throws, but at least they're landing them
• Very labored on the lifts, I think the backloading of the program is backfiring at this altitude

49.99 (TES) + 50.70 (PCS) = 100.69
57.97 (SP) + 100.69 (FS) = 158.66

6) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig
 Music: Daphnis et Chloe

• A little messy on the split twist, but that's never their strong suit anyway
• Both step out of the SBS jump, but in perfect unison
• This is the best choreography of the whole event in my opinion
• Fall on the 1st throw
• She looks tentative, never a good sign
• She may have singled the axel, I couldn't tell
• Fantastic twist into that stand on his thigh
• Very smooth in and out of the death spiral
• Beautiful 2nd throw
• Very nice elements thus far aside from the throw, no falls on the jumps here from Amanda at all, step in the right direction
• Their lifts are more grand than anyone else, bar none
• I wish his shirt were the same color as the midsection on her dress
• Great toss into that final lift
• Lovely spin positions, but a little slow in that pair spin
• Clunky exit out of that final lift, an unfortunate way to end the program

54.30 (TES) + 53.94 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 107.24
60.75 (SP) + 107.24 (FS) = 167.99

7) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)
 Music: The Soul of Flamenco

• She's bringing out her inner diva on that elaborate entrance
• This program grows on me every competition
• Quad throw! Two-footed, but hey!
• 4twist, rough catch, but at least they're getting it done
• A little out of unison, but strong 3-jump sequence
• They seem more calm here, not as frantic as earlier in the season
• She could stretch out the free leg and foot more on the death spiral
• A little unison break in the spin position change
• Her flexibility on that spiral is phenomenal
• This program is light years better than it was in September
• Fantastic 2nd throw, that got so much difference
• That upside down entrance into the press lift is really cool
• Ohh scary moment mid-lift, she puts her arms on his shoulders to save her balance
• A lot of speed on that last lift, good rotation
• Great program from them, they look more grown up every time
• They look exhausted, breath kids breath!

75.54 (TES) + 59.54 (PCS) = 135.08
66.75 (SP) + 135.08 (FS) = 201.83

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

• This team couldn't be more different from what we just saw
• Only a split 2twist
• Hard spill for Narumi, nearly fell on her face
• Wow what a mess on that SBS sequence, she singled, he stumbled and cut the 2nd jump
• If they had Sui/Han's technical tricks, they'd be unstoppable with their elegance
• She's one of those skaters who can't hit a bad position, other pair ladies must watch he rlifts
• A two-foot and a step out on the 1st throw, same on the 2nd
• He nearly skated over her on the 2nd throw, that was terrifying
• It must be so hard to keep going after all those mistakes
• And they nearly skated into the board out of their 2nd lift, just not their night at all
• Lovely extension and toe point in that 3rd lift, exit could've been more smooth

55.32 (TES) + 55.25 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 109.57
61.54 (SP) + 109.57 (FS) = 171.11

9) Caydee Denny & John Coughlin (USA)
 Music: Nessun Dorma

• Their elaborate entrances to center ice are too high drama even for me
• This program is growing on me, I hated the guitar early in the season but it suits them
• Gorgeous split 3twist
• Nice throw, a little scratchy, but good glide out
• Near perfect unison on the SBS jumps
• It was a fight, but landed the 2nd SBS sequence
• They have great spin unison for a new pair, that's usually the hardest thing to ma
• The lift positions are just not attractive, a stern Russian ballet teacher could work that out in no time
• Awesome 2nd throw, huge roar from the crowd
• That catch-foot position is slightly more attractive because the bum isn't sticking up
• Here is that carry lift that John dreams about everyday
• Her foot gets scarily close to his head up there
• A big scary on that headbanger at the end, he bent his knees and barely muscled her back up                     

62.82 (TES) + 59.25 (PCS) = 122.07
63.35 (SP) + 122.07 (FS) = 185.42

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

• Come on guys, earn  yourself a medal!
• This program suits them so well, and it's appropriate for their age situation
• Mary Beth falls on the same jump she missed in warmup
• A little crashy on the split twist, looked labored
• She steps out of the double axel, she looks a little antsy today
• I love their SBS split jumps, I must've missed that at Nationals
• Good spinning unison, that's a big area of improvement over last season
• Good throw, good job Mary Beth
• Her lift positions are improving at every event
• That pair spiral is beautiful, she looks so happy to be out there
• Very nice carry lift on one leg, good ice coverage
• It would be great to see some more variation in the lift positions, but that will come
• Two-foots the 2nd throw, again a good save
• They gave away a lot of points here and there, it's going to be close if they land on the podium

60.91 (TES) + 56.56 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 116.47
62.42 (SP) + 116.47 (FS) = 178.89

1	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	201.83	1	1
2	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	185.42	2	2
3	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	178.89	3	3
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	171.76	8	4
5	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	171.11	4	5
6	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	167.99	5	6
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	158.66	6	7
8	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	154.79	7	8
9	Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG	CHN	140.24	10	9
10	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	137.91	9	10

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	135.08	75.54		59.54	7.46	7.04	7.79	7.46	7.46	0.00	#7
2	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	122.07	62.82		59.25	7.43	7.00	7.57	7.46	7.57	0.00	#9
3	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	116.47	60.91		56.56	7.04	6.89	7.14	7.25	7.04	1.00	#10
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	114.23	62.27		52.96	6.71	6.50	6.54	6.71	6.64	1.00	#3
5	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	109.57	55.32		55.25	6.93	6.86	6.71	7.14	6.89	1.00	#8
6	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	107.24	54.30		53.94	6.82	6.64	6.61	6.93	6.71	1.00	#6
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	100.69	49.99		50.70	6.57	6.36	6.04	6.43	6.29	0.00	#5
8	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	97.11	49.45		49.66	6.46	6.04	6.04	6.36	6.14	2.00	#4
9	Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG	CHN	92.20	46.77		45.43	5.75	5.43	5.71	5.82	5.68	0.00	#2
10	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	88.39	46.37		42.02	5.54	5.00	5.36	5.25	5.11	0.00	#1

2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Short Program LIVE Coverage

1) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)

    Music: East of Eden

• Ice Musings and I are not obsessed with this themed entrance
• This looks a little slow for me today
• That was really slow getting into that lift
• That was a save on the throw, she was super tilted in the air
• Good showing overall from the home team
• 35.55 (TES) + 27.80 (PCS) = 63.35

2) Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN)

    Music: Three Hours After Midnight

• I like her hair a lot and I love the zipper on the back of her dress
• Good speed
• I feel like she's reinvented herself as an athletic skater which is really cool
• 31.28 (TES) + 26.40 (PCS) = 57.68

3) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)

    Music: Singing in the Rain

• I'm loving her right now, so quick and speedy right off the bat
• Nice opening SBS jumps, great unison
• That split twist is so improved from last season
• Landed the throw on 2 feet, that's the only visible error
• Stretch out those legs on the lift honey!
• Nice button on the end
• 34.96 (TES) + 27.46 (PCS) = 62.42 

4) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)

     Music: Concierto de Aranjuez

• Meagan kind of looks like Hilary Swank
• Good fight on those SBS jumps, I don't know how she landed that
• Girlfriend is attacking this
• Did they change some of this choreography, I like it more than I remember it
• She looks oddly hunched over and he is very upright which exaggerates the height difference
• They're looking a bit tired here
• Hands down on the throw
• Something about it looked off today, I can't put my finger on it really
• 31.44 (TES) + 26.09 (PCS) = 57.53

5) Yue Zhang & Lei Wang (CHN)
     Music: The Swan

• All kinds of craziness on those SBS jumps, she doubles and he almost goes into the boards
• Really labored throw, two-footed
• They look really really tired out there, it's like slow motion
• Some nice moments of elegance, but the whole thing just lacks spark
•  24.21 (TES) + 23.63 (PCS) = 48.04

6) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)
    Music: Red Violin

• Slightly off on those SBS jumps, just a slight unison issue
• Wild on that throw, couldn't control the height, hands down
• A lot of position changes on those throws, not such clean positions though
• That was a decent skate, but no polish
• 27.29 (TES) + 22.23 (PCS) = 49.52 

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

• That was a cute little fist bump
• No elaborate opening poses here
• They are one of the "beautiful, but" teams
• Land those jumps Narumi please
• A little scratchy there on that throw
• Really nice entry into that lift, that's one of the best in the competition
• This music and the choreography is fantastic
• That is the only time you see a "unique entry" and the death spiral position is beautiful as well
• 34.74 (TES) + 27.80 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 61.54

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

• She definitely grew
• They look like they were shot out of a rocket, it's a little too high energy for me
• So far so good, as long as they don't fall on a crossover of something, they'll likely take the lead
• I think this music may be arranged differently
• Their presentation quality is a welcome change from the rest of the Chinese pairs who are usually stone-faced
•  37.71 (TES) + 29.44 (PCS) = 66.75

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

• That looked like a 2-foot, but that's a HUGE improvement
• She looked so good going in
• That was a beautiful throw, fantastic glide out of it
• So elegant, it's really refreshing to see them hit all those technical elements
• Best short of the season by far
• 32.47 (TES) + 28.28 (PCS) = 60.75

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

• That was nearly a fall on the split twist, she went way off to the side
• A lot of ice flying on those SBS jumps, but landed
• This is kind of weird choreography, but it suits the music well
• Very crooked position on the throw, but she managed to land it
• 31.28 (TES) + 26.69 (PCS) = 57.97

2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Preview

Podium Predictions:
1) Duhamel & Radford (CAN)
2) Sui & Han (CHN) 
3) Denney & Coughlin (USA)

Choosing against a Chinese pairs team may be counter-intuitive, but I'm going with the heartwarming story and Duhamel & Radford (CAN) have great momentum going into this event. Since the event is in North America, Colorado Springs specifically, this is practically a home game for them as they won't have to adjust to much of a time difference and there will certainly be a decent Canadian crowd. They are coming off the high of winning Canadian Nationals decisively and they have ambitions technical elements that rival the top teams in the world. They won't get the PCS of the top European teams, but their unison and chemistry is undeniable and they won't face the best in the World until the compete in Nice in March. This will be a good test for them to see how ready they are to contend on the big stage.

Pre-season, it seemed an afterthought that Sui & Han (CHN)  would be contenders for the World podium this season after a stellar debut last year, but they've fallen off a bit with inconsistencies and technical mistakes. They are moving in a more mature direction with a Tango Free Skate, but they still look like a junior team to me. If they hit here, they could win, but they have yet to do so this season and I won't believe it until I see it.

I'm finally drinking the Kool-Aid and buying into Denny & Coughlin (USA) after a convincing win at US Nationals last week. I'm not saying they have World medal potential, but you can't deny that they are consistent and have had a good overall freshman season. Their artistry needs work, but they have solid pair technique and their unison is pretty spot-on for a new team. Time will tell if they can break the curse of the other American pairs and actually go the distance. Their "elegance" is non-existent, but but that is a learned trait and they do have one of the most important intangibles, the competitive edge. Their packaging also needs an overhaul, from costuming to hair and makeup.

A personal favorite of mine is Takahashi & Tran (JPN) and I'd actually love to see them win, but they are so inconsistent. If one of them isn't falling on the side-by-side jumps, its the other. They are elegant and have an on-ice maturity beyond their years, but inconsistency is a major problem and somebody needs to teach them how to compete.

Another team to watch out for is Marley & Brubaker (USA) who made a big splash at US Nationals, winning the short program and nearly taking the title save for a few uncharacteristic mistakes. Though they won't be thought of as medal contenders this season, this is a polished, athletic team on the rise and they have plenty of gas left in the tank with many years left to climb the ranks

On the opposite end of the pairs spectrum you have Evora & Ladwig (USA) who are entering the twilight of their careers without  much international success. We can't keep making excuses for them by saying "they are great, but..." and they just need to man up and land those jumps if they are ever going to crack the top 6 at Worlds. We saw a US pair do it last season but that was after they put together 2 perfect programs. Will Evora & Ladwig ever win a major international medal before they retire? They have as much of a shot as any to do that here if they hit. 

Grand Prix Final: Pairs Preview

Savchenko & Szolkowy struggled in their first 2 events of the season, but only because they're trying really difficult elements. They are one of those teams that I expect to win every time they take the ice, and this event is no exception. This is certain to be an exciting event as it is the first head-to-head match up between the Germans and Volosozhar & Trankov. Each team picked up two Gold medals, but neither team has peaked yet so it will be exciting to see them grow throughout the rest of the season. Kavaguti & Smirnov also picked up two Gold medals this season and can seize Gold here if the other teams make mistakes.

So we have the medal favorites, and then a second wave of teams that are pretty good in their own right. Zhang & Zhang are back after a year off and they've been competent, but not inspired. Takahashi & Tran are so young and they have the elegance and beauty to be a top team if they could improve the consistency in their technical elements. Skating against this field will help them take their careers to a new level. Duhamel & Radford are a feel good team  because you know they are workhorses and it's great to see that work pay off. They are a joy to watch and I love their programs, though they don't have the polish of the top flight.

Placement Predictions:
1) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER) Season's Highest GP Score 208.69
2) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS) Season's Highest GP Score 201.38
3) Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS) Season's Highest GP Score 197.84
4) Zhang & Zhang (CHN) Season's Highest GP Score 178.66
5) Duhamel & Radford (CAN) Season's Highest GP Score 176.62
6) Takahashi & Tran (JPN) Season's Highest GP Score 172.09


Competitive History: 


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


Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (JPN)-2nd at 2011 Rostelecom Cup, 1st at 2011 NHK Trophy, 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 (Cup of China, NHK Trophy, Rostelecom Cup)


Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)-1st at 2011 Rostelecom Cup, 3rd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 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 (Skate America, NHK Trophy, Rostelecom Cup)


Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)-2nd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 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: 172.09 at 2011 NHK Trophy (Skate Canada, NHK Trophy)


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


Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)-2nd at 2011 Cup of China, 2nd at 2011 Skate America, 5th 2010 Worlds, 5th 2010 Winter Olympics, 6th 2009 Grand Prix Final; PB: 197.82 at 2008 Worlds (Skate America, Cup of China)

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