2016 US Nationals: Ladies Preview

Ashley vs. Gracie: Part 4

1. Does anyone else matter to the skating faithful?
2. Does Ashley come from behind in the short to win in the free as has become commonplace?
3. Does my girl Ashley, an old broad by skating standards, have any gas left in the tank to take another US title and have a prayer of a World medal?
4. Does Gracie live up to her word of “no more doubles”?
5. Does Gracie, clearly the more talented of the two, get out of her head and put up the points we know she can?
6. More importantly, which of these two will give us the best Side Eye?
7. Can Polina finally perform like a mature young woman?
8. Does Karen Chen make the Gracie vs. Ashley debate moot by wiping the floor with all of them?
9. Can Courtney Hicks’ jump propel her back into the conversation?
10. Where does Carly Gold factor in, and more importantly, how does her presence affect Gracie?
11. What chance does Mirai Nagasu have after all these years, particularly where International assignments are concerned?
12. Will any one performance make me cry or stand up and cheer?
13. Can anyone from last year’s top ten trio of Bell, Price, or Miller surprise us and make the podium?
14. How will last year’s Junior winner by a mile, Bradie Tennell, handle the pressure of the Senior event?
15. Finally, will the dreaded “committee” have to step in when it comes to International assignments or will they let the competition play out?

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 1 Day!

Yasmin Siraj (SC of Boston)

• 2009 US Novice Nationals 5th
• 2010 US Junior Nationals 2nd
• 2010 Junior Grand Prix France 2nd
• 2010 Junior Grand Prix Great Britain 2nd
• 2010 Junior Grand Prix Final 7th

At only 14, Yasmin is going to be one of the babies of the 2011 Senior Ladies event, but she is definitely worthy of competing among our country's best. Her top short program scores this season are competitive with Alissa Czisny and Rachael Flatt as are her free skate and total scores. Internationally, she has outscored Agnes Zawadzki this season, the only person who beat her last year at Nationals in the junior ladies event. But, along with Kristiene Gong and Christina Gao, she had a meltdown at the Junior Grand Prix Final, so we'll see how she holds up in her next high pressure situation in Greensboro. Either way, she has nothing to lose and will most likely make the Junior World team.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 2 Days!

Amanda Dobbs (Peninsula FSC)

• 2008 US Jr. Nationals 5th
• 2008 Jr. Grand Prix Final 7th
• 2009 US Jr. Nationals 7th
• 2010 US Nationals 6th
• 2010 Four Contintents 4th
• 2011 Cup of China 6th

Amanda is one of those brave skaters who competes at the senior level in singles and pairs, but unlike most who tend to be stronger in one, Amanda's placements last year were nearly identical in each discipline. She finished 6th in Senior ladies and 7th in Senior pairs. It seems that she is not planning to compete at Nationals in pairs this year, so I assume she is choosing to focus on singles and I think that renewed focus could be really great for her. I love her Moon River short program and she really emulates Audrey Hepburn's elegance. I am a little concerned about her free skate choice of Concierto de Aranjuez as it may be a little too mature for her. But her coaches are Jenni Meno and Todd Sand and as US National Champions and World medalists, I will trust their judgement. Look for Amanda to try to improve on her top 6 finish from last season with a goal of the top 5 in Greensboro.

2011 US Figure Skating Championships: Junior and Novice Previews

Check out my friend's posts over at icemusings.blogspot.com for previews of the Junior and Novice competitions at the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships. I will be blogging sporadically about these events, but will mostly be focusing on the Senior competition. Check in with both of us throughout the next two weeks for full coverage of the 2011 Nationals in Greensboro!

http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-junior-ladies-preview.html
http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-junior-mens-preview.html
http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-novice-dance-preview.html
http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-novice-pairs-preview.html
http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-novice-ladies-preview.html
http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-novice-mens-preview.html

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 3 Days!

Richard Dornbush (All Year FSC)

• 2008 US Jr. Nationals 4th
• 2008 Jr. Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist
• 2010 US Nationals 11th
• 2010 US Jr. Grand Prix Final Champion

I have yet to see any of Richard's programs this season, but I hear his Sherlock Holmes free skate is quite a sight to see and I will look forward to seeing it in Greensboro. What I can tell by looking at his scores is that he has had a rollercoaster of a season. His score of 52.74 at the Junior Grand Prix of Austria was the lowest international short  program score for a Senior US Man this entire season, but his 70.75 at the Junior Grand Prix Final was just below what Brandon Mroz scored at Trophee Eric Bompard. His 109.16 free skate at the JGP of Austria was third from the bottom this season but his 148.81 was the second highest free skate score posted internationally by a US man all season. In terms of total scores, his 219.56 from the Junior Grand Prix Final places him second to only Adam Rippon but his total score from the JGP of Austria is the lowest by a US man this entire season. Let's hope that "good Richard" shows up in Greensboro, because that Richard can seriously contend for the podium.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 4 Days!

Alexe Gilles (Broadmoor SC)

• 2007 US Novice Nationals 5th
• 2007 Jr. Grand Prix Final 6th
• 2008 Jr. Nationals 5th
• 2008 Jr. Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist
• 2009 Jr. National Champion
• 2010 US Nationals 8th
• 2010 Four Continents 9th
• 2010 Skate Canada 11th
• 2010 Skate America 12th

Alexe is one of those skaters who really showed so much promise as a junior but can't seem to get out of her own head enough to have success on the senior level. She is so beautiful to watch when she is doing well but she seems to struggle with self-confidence issues, especially this year on the Grand Prix. It was sad to see her meltdown at Skate Canada when her programs were so gorgeous. She showed us glimpses of what she can do at Skate America with a lovely triple-triple in her short program, but seemed to doubt herself again and suffered a few falls in the short and the long. For her sake, I would love to see her pull off an excellent short program in Greensboro, make the final warm-up group for the free skate, and pull out a top 6 finish. She recently graduated from high school and I don't know what her future plans are, but with her grace and elegance, she would make an excellent show skater as well.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 5 Days!

Britney Simpson & Nathan Miller (Broadmoor SC)

• 2009 US Junior Pewter Medalists
• 2009 Jr. Grand Prix Final 6th 
• 2010 US Junior Silver Medalists
• 2010 Skate Canada 6th
• 2010 Cup of Russia 7th

This team actually made quite a senior Grand Prix debut for a young pair team, finishing 6th and 7th respectively at Skate Canada and Cup of Russia. Though they are currently ranked only 26th in the world, that is not terribly shabby for a senior debut season. I like their youthful energy and exuberance, which really shows in their Pink Panther short program. I am not crazy about their selection of Moonlight Sonata for the free skate because I think they lack the maturity to play to its nuances and I will always believe that that piece belongs to Gordeeva and Grinkov. Their scores place them 5th among US pairs who have competed on the Senior Grand Prix Circuit this seasons, but we must not forget Marley and Brubaker who also outscored them with their Nesquik Cup performance. Their goal for this season was to receive International assignments and they achieved that by competing in two Grand Prix events. Their next goal should be a top 6 finish in Greensboro which should be easily achievable for them if they have put in some hard work in the past two months.

US Nationals Preview: Senior Ice Dance Competition

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

Top Short Dance Scores

68.64 Davis/White (Grand Prix Final)
66.97 Davis/White (NHK Trophy)
63.62 Davis/White (Skate America)
58.09 Chock/Zuerlein (Trophee  Eric Bompard)
56.46 Shibutani/Shibutani (Skate America)

54.19 Chock/Zuerlein (Skate Canada)

53.68 Shibutani/Shibutani (NHK Trophy)
52.19 Cannuscio/Lorello (Trophee Eric Bompard)
52.13 Kriengkrairuit/Giulietti-Schmitt (Skate America)

44.47 Hubbell/Hubbell (Cup of China)

38.34 Cannuscio/Lorello (Cup of China)

36.88 Tibbetts/Brubaker (Skate Canada)

Top Free Dance Scores

102.94 Davis/White (Grand Prix Final)
98.24 Davis/White (NHK Trophy)
93.06 Davis/White (Skate America)
88.65 Shibutani/Shibutani (Skate America)

84.86 Chock/Zuerlein (Skate Canada)

83.52 Shibutani/Shibutani (NHK Trophy)
80.39 Chock/Zuerlein (Trophee Eric Bompard)
78.59 Kriengkrairut/Giulietti-Schmitt (Skate America)

76.48 Hubbell/Hubbell (Cup of China)
64.41 Cannuscio/Lorello (Trophee Eric Bompard)

63.49 Cannuscio/Lorello (Cup of China)

58.98 Tibbetts/Brubaker (Skate Canada)

Top Total Scores

171.58 Davis/White (Grand Prix Final)
165.21 Davis/White (NHK Trophy)
156.68 Davis/White (Skate America)
144.81 Shibutani/Shibutani (Skate America)

139.05 Chock/Zuerlein (Skate Canada)
138.40 Chock/Zuerlein (Trophee Eric Bompard)

136.93 Shibutani/Shibutani (NHK Trophy)
130.72 Kriengkrairuit/Giulietti-Schmitt (Skate America)

120.95 Hubbell/Hubbell (Cup of China)
116.60 Cannuscio/Lorello (Trophee Eric Bompard)

101.83 Cannuscio/Lorello (Cup of China)

95.86 Tibbetts/Brubaker (Skate Canada)

NHK TROPHY

Davis/White

• 66.97 (SD) = 32.28 (TES) + 34.69 (PCS)
• 98.24 (FD) = 46.22 (TES) + 52.02 (PCS)
• 165.21 (Total)

Shibutani/Shibutani

• 53.68 (SD) = 28.57 (TES) + 26.11 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 83.25 (FD) = 42.67 (TES) + 40.58 (PCS) 
• 136.93 (Total)

SKATE CANADA

Chock/Zuerlein

• 54.19 (SD) = 28.21 (TES) + 25.98 (PCS)
• 84.86 (FD) = 44.27 (TES) + 40.59 (PCS)
• 139.05 (Total)

Tibbetts/Brubaker

• 36.88 (SD) = 18.92 (TES) + 18.96 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 58.98 (FD) = 33.10 (TES) + 27.88 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) 
• 95.86 (Total)

CUP OF CHINA

Hubbell/Hubbell

• 44.47 (SD) = 23.39 (TES) + 24.18 (PCS) -3.00 (DED)
• 76.48 (FD) = 38.64 (TES) + 37.84 (PCS)
• 120.95 (Total)

Cannuscio/Lorello

• 38.34 (SD) = 19.05 (TES) + 19.29 (PCS)
• 63.49 (FD) = 34.43 (TES) + 29.06 (PCS)
• 101.83 (Total)

SKATE AMERICA

Davis/White

• 63.62 (SD) = 30.00 (TES) + 33.62 (PCS)
• 93.06 (FD) = 45.16 (TES) + 50.90 (PCS) -3.00 (DED)
• 156.68 (Total)

Shibutani/Shibutani

• 56.46 (SP) = 30.08 (TES) + 26.38 (PCS)
• 88.65 (FD) = 46.79 (TES) + 41.56 (PCS)
• 144.81 (Total)

Kriengkrairut/Giuliette-Schmitt

• 52.13 (SD) = 29.83 (TES) + 22.30 (PCS)
• 78.59 (FD) = 42.63 (TES) + 35.96 (PCS)
• 130.72 (Total)

TROPHEE ERIC BOMPARD


Chock/Zuerlein

• 58.09 (SD) = 31.41 (TES) + 26.68 (PCS)
• 80.39 (FD) = 41.26 (TES) + 40.13 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) 
• 138.40 (Total)

Cannuscio/Lorello

• 52.19 (SD) = 31.17 (TES) + 21.02 (PCS)
• 64.41 (FD) = 32.92 (TES) + 32.49 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 116.60 (Total)

GRAND PRIX FINAL

Davis/White

• 68.64 (SD) = 34.42 (TES) + 34.22 (PCS)
• 102.94 (FD) = 50.15 (TES) + 52.79 (PCS)
• 171.58 (Total)

US Nationals Preview: Senior Pairs Competition

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

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

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

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

NHK TROPHY

Yankowskas/Coughlin

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

Denney/Barrett

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

SKATE CANADA

Castelli/Shnapir

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

Simpson/Miller

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

CUP OF CHINA

Yankowskas/Coughlin

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

Evora Ladwig

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

SKATE AMERICA

Denney/Barrett

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

Castelli/Shnapir

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

Zhang/Toth

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

CUP OF RUSSIA

Evora/Ladwig

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

Simpson/Miller

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

TROPHEE ERIC BOMPARD

Zhang/Toth

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

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 6 Days!

Rachel Tibbetts & Collin Brubaker (Chicago FSC)

• 2010 US Junior National Championships

This will be their senior debut at US Nationals and a good goal for them would be to make the top 6. That would be a really strong showing for them. From what I saw at Skate Canada, they have nice intensity and attack in their programs, but they lack the technical levels and difficulty of the top teams in the world. They show a lot of promise and passion for their sport so once they get a few more years under their belt, they may prove themselves as a competitive team. 

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 7 Days!

Grant Hochstein (St Clair Shores FSC)

• 2009 US Nationals Jr. 4th place
• 2009  Jr. Grand Prix Final 5th place
• 2010 US Nationals 7th
• 2010 US Collegiate Championships Champion
• 2010 Skate Canada 10th

At only 20, Grant is relatively young for a male figure skater and still has plenty of time to mature before the next Olympic run in 2014 for Sochi. For the few programs that I've seen of his, he seems to struggle with technical consistency, but he does have a lovely lyrical quality to his skating and maturity as a performer. In terms of scoring, his Skate Canada numbers put him 2nd to last in the short program among US senior men who competed internationally. However, his free skate scores and total scores put him much higher in the rankings near the likes of Keegan Messing, Jason Brown, and Ross Miner. He made an impressive senior national debut last season at 7th and he'll look to improve upon that in Greensboro by placing in the top 6.

US Nationals Preview: Senior Ladies Competition

When projecting the results for Nationals, it is important to look at the skaters' results in the events leading up to Nationals. The ladies included in this post are the competitors that have the best chance of medaling at Nationals. Below are the scores from the 2010 Grand Prix Series, both the senior and junior circuits. I will be making my predictions and fantasy choices based on these scores and some other extenuating factors in a post to come next week. But for now, here are the top scores among US ladies for the short program, free skate, and overall totals. An asterisk (*) denotes a competitor on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. Keep in mind that junior competitors have less required elements than senior competitors.

Top Short Program Scores
63.76 Alissa Czisny (Grand Prix Final)
58.78 Mirai Nagasu (Trophee Eric Bompard)
58.76 Mirai Nagasu (Cup of China)
58.07* Christina Gao (JGP Austria)
56.92 Agnes Zawadzki (Skate Canada)
56.84 Agnes Zawadzki (Cup of Russia)
56.17 Ashley Wagner (Cup of Russia)
55.95 Alissa Czisny (Skate Canada)
55.66* Yasmin Siraj (JGP Great Britain)
55.50 Alissa Czisny (Trophee Eric Bompard)
53.69 Rachael Flatt (NHK Trophy)
53.05* Vanessa Lam (JGP Czech Republic)
52.93 Ashley Wagner (NHK Trophy)
51.02 Rachael Flatt (Skate America)
50.71 Caroline Zhang (NHK Trophy)
50.66 Caroline Zhang (Skate America)
50.09* Kiri Baga (JGP Japan)
49.74* Kiri Baga (JGP Czech Republic)
47.66* Christina Gao (JGP Germany)
47.24* Kristiene Gong (JGP Final)
47.08* Kristiene Gong (Grand Prix Romania)
46.73 Amanda Dobbs (Cup of China)
46.08* Kristiene Gong (JGP Great Britain)
45.95* Felicia Zhang (JGP Germany)
45.19 Rachael Flatt (Grand Prix Final)
44.86 Alexe Gilles (Skate America)
43.98* Christina Gao (JGP Final)
43.01 Samantha Cesario (JGP Romania)
42.72* Yasmin Siraj (JGP France)
41.02 Alexe Gilles (Skate Canada)
40.80 Kristine Musademba (Cup of China)
38.08* Yasmin Siraj (JGP Final)

Top Free Skate Scores
116.99 Alissa Czisny (Grand Prix Final)
116.42 Alissa Czisny (Skate Canada)
111.84 Rachael Flatt (Skate America)
110.82 Ashley Wagner (Cup of Russia)
109.07 Mirai Nagasu (Trophee Eric Bompard)
109.07* Christina Gao (JGP Austria)
108.01* Christina Gao (JGP Germany)
107.35 Rachael Flatt (NHK Trophy)
106.09* Yasmin Siraj (JGP Great Britain)
104.30 Alissa Czisny (Trophee Eric Bompard)
103.36* Vanessa Lam (JGP Czech Republic)
101.03* Christina Gao (JGP Final)
98.06 Agnes Zawadzki (Skate Canada)
97.92* Yasmin Siraj (JGP France)
96.94 Agnes Zawadzki (Cup of Russia)
92.87* Yamin Siraj (JGP Final)
90.80 Ashley Wagner (NHK Trophy)
88.61* Kiri Baga (JGP Japan)
88.24* Kristiene Gong (JGP Great Britain)
87.54* Kiri Baga (JGP Czech Republic)
87.47 Mirai Nagasu (Cup of China)
85.72 Amanda Dobbs (Cup of China)
84.62 Alexe Gilles (Skate Canada)
83.15 Caroline Zhang (NHK Trophy)
83.02* Kristiene Gong (JGP Romania)
82.66* Kristiene Gong (JGP Final)
82.38 Rachael Flatt (Grand Prix Final)
81.83 Caroline Zhang (Skate America)
79.38* Samantha Cessario (JGP Romania)
78.65 Kristine Musademba (Cup of China)
77.60 Alexe Gilles (Skate America)
77.21* Felicia Zhang (JGP Germany)

Top Total Scores

180.75 Alissa Czisny (Grand Prix Final)
172.37 Alissa Czisny (Skate Canada)
167.79 Mirai Nagasu (Trophee Eric Bompard)
167.14* Christina Gao (JGP Austria)
167.02 Ashley Wagner (Cup of Russia)
162.86 Rachael Flatt (Skate America)
161.75* Yasmin Siraj (JGP Great Britain)
161.04 Rachael Flatt (NHK Trophy)
159.80 Alissa Czisny (Trophee Eric Bompard)
156.41* Vanessa Lam (JGP Czech Republic)
155.67* Christina Gao (JGP Germany)
154.35 Agnes Zawadzki (Skate Canada)
153.78 Agnes Zawadzki (Cup of Russia)
146.23 Mirai Nagasu (Cup of China)
145.01* Christina Gao (JGP Final)
143.72 Ashley Wagner (NHK Trophy)
140.64* Yasmin Siraj (JGP France)
138.70* Kiri Baga (JGP Japan)
137.28* Kiri Baga (JGP Czech Republic)
134.32* Kristiene Gong (JGP Great Britain)
133.86 Caroline Zhang (NHK Trophy)
132.49 Caroline Zhang (NHK Trophy)
132.45 Amanda Dobbs (Cup of China)
130.95* Yasmin Siraj (JGP Final)
130.10* Kristiene Gong (JGP Romania)
129.90* Kristiene Gong (JGP Final)
127.57 Rachael Flatt (Grand Prix Final)
125.63 Alexe Gilles (Skate Canada)

123.16* Felicia Zhang (JGP Germany)

122.46 Alexe Gilles (Skate America)

122.39 * Samantha Cesario (JGP Romania)

119.45 Kristine Musademba (Cup of China)

NHK TROPHY

Rachael Flatt

• 53.69 (SP) = 28.29 (TES) + 25.40 (PCS)
• 107.35 (FS) = 54.87 (TES) + 52.48 (PCS)
• 161.04 (Total)

Ashley Wagner

• 52.93 (SP) = 27.34 (TES) + 25.59 (PCS)
• 90.80 (FS) = 40.32 (TES) + 51.48 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 143.73 (Total)

Caroline Zhang

• 50.71 (SP) = 25.93 (TES) + 24.78 (PCS)
• 83.15 (FS) = 36.11 (TES) + 47.04 (PCS)
• 133.86 (Total)

SKATE CANADA

Alissa Czisny

• 55.95 (SP) = 28.37 (TES) + 27.58 (PCS)
• 116.42 (FS) = 55.95 (TES) + 61.47 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 172.37 (Total)

Agnes Zawadzki

• 56.29 (SP) = 32.14 (TES) + 24.15 (PCS)
• 98.06 (FS) = 46.26 (TES) + 52.80 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 154.35 (Total)

Alexe Gilles

• 41.02 (SP) = 22.35 (TES) + 20.67 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 84.62 (FS) = 45.71 (TES) + 40.91 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 125.64 (Total)

CUP OF CHINA

Mirai Nagasu

• 58.76 (SP) = 31.73 (TES) + 27.03 (PCS)
• 87.47 (FS) = 34.82 (TES) + 53.65 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 146.23 (Total)

Amanda Dobbs

• 46.73 (SP) = 22.85 (TES) + 23.88 (PCS)
• 85.72 (FS) = 43.17 (TES) + 43.55 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 132.45 (Total)

Kristine Musademba

• 40.80 (SP) = 21.57 (TES) + 20.23 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 78.65 (FS) = 39.24 (TES) + 40.41 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 119.45 (Total)

SKATE AMERICA

Rachael Flatt

• 51.02 (SP) = 24.28 (TES) + 26.74 (PCS)
• 111.84 (FS) = 57.85 (TES) + 53.99 (PCS)
• 162.86 (Total)

Caroline Zhang

• 50.66 (SP) = 25.80 (TES) + 24.86 (PCS) 
• 81.83 (FS) = 35.97 (TES) + 46.86 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 132.49 (Total)

Alexe Gilles

• 44.86 (SP) = 24.72 (TES) + 21.14 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) 
• 77.60 (FS) = 36.79 (TES) + 42.81 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 122.46 (Total)

CUP OF RUSSIA

Ashley Wagner

• 56.17 (SP) = 30.23 (TES) + 25.94 (PCS)
• 110.85 (FS) = 56.31 (TES) + 55.54 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 167.02 (Total)

Agnes Zawadzki

• 56.84 (SP) = 32.03 (TES) + 24.81 (PCS)
• 96.94 (FS) = 47.71 (TES) 52.23 (PCS) -3.00 (DED)
• 153.78 (Total)

TROPHEE ERIC BOMPARD

Alissa Czisny

• 55.50 (SP) = 28.08 (TES) + 27.42 (PCS)
• 104.30 (FS) = 48.90 (TES) + 56.40 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 159.80 (Total)

Mirai Nagasu

• 58.78 (SP) = 31.09 (TES) + 27.63 (PCS)
• 109.07 (FS) = 53.98 (TES) + 55.09 (PCS)
• 167.79 (Total)

GRAND PRIX FINAL

Alissa Czisny

• 63.76 (SP) = 33.62 (TES) + 30.14 (PCS)
• 116.99 (FS) = 55.68 (TES) + 61.31 (PCS)
• 180.75 (Total)

Rachael Flatt

• 45.19 (SP) = 19.88 (TES) + 25.31 (PCS)
• 82.38 (FS) = 36.47 (TES) + 46.91 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 127.57 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF FRANCE


Yasmin Siraj

• 42.72 (SP) = 23.26 (TES) + 20.46 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 97.92 (FS) = 53.11 (TES) + 44.81 (PCS)
• 140.64 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF ROMANIA


Kristiene Gong

• 47.08 (SP) = 26.17 (TES) + 20.91 (PCS)
• 83.02 (FS) = 39.43 (TES) + 43.59 (PCS)
• 130.10 (Total)

Samantha Cesario

• 43.01 (SP) = 22.04 (TES) + 20.97 (PCS)
• 79.38 (FS) = 37.56 (TES) + 41.82 (PCS)
• 122.39 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF AUSTRIA

Christina Gao

• 58.07 (SP) =33.21 (TES) + 24.86 (PCS)
• 109.07 (FS) = 56.04 (TES) + 53.03 (PCS)
• 167.14 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN

Kiri Baga

• 50.09 (SP) = 27.76 (TES) + 22.33 (PCS)
• 88.61 (FS) = 47.05 (TES) + 42.56 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 138.70 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF GREAT BRITAIN


Yasmin Siraj

• 55.66 (SP) = 32.18 (TES) + 23.48 (PCS)
• 106.09 (FS) = 56.07 (TES) + 50.02 (PCS)
• 161.75 (Total)

Kristiene Gong

• 46.08 (SP) = 25.67 (TES) + 20.41 (PCS)
• 88.24 (SP) = 44.18 (TES) + 44.06 (PCS)
• 134.32 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF GERMANY

Christina Gao

• 47.66 (SP) = 26.55 (TES) + 22.11 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 108.01 (FS) = 59.05 (TES) + 49.96 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 155.67 (Total)

Felicia Zhang

• 45.95 (SP) = 26.00 (TES) + 19.95 (PCS)
• 77.21 (FS) = 36.68 (TES) + 42.53 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 123.16 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX OF CZECH REPUBLIC

Vanessa Lam

• 53.05 (SP) =30.07 (TES) + 22.98 (PCS)
• 103.36 (FS) = 55.58 (TES) + 47.78 (PCS)
• 156.41 (Total)

Kiri Baga

• 49.74 (SP) = 26.70 (TES) + 24.04 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 87.54 (FS) = 45.07 (TES) + 44.47 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 137.28 (Total)

JUNIOR GRAND PRIX FINAL

Christina Gao

• 43.98 (SP) = 23.21 (TES) + 21.77 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 101.03 (FS) = 54.79 (TES) + 46.24 (PCS) 
• 145.01 (Total)

Yasmin Siraj

• 38.08 (SP) = 18.34 (TES) + 20.74 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)
• 92.87 (FS) = 51.51 (TES) + 43.36 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)
• 130.95 (Total)

Kristiene Gong

• 47.24 (SP) = 25.52 (TES) + 21.72 (PCS)
• 82.66 (FS) = 40.45 (TES) + 42.21 (PCS)
• 129.90 (Total)

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 8 Days!

Caroline Zhang (All Year FSC)

• 2006 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion
• 2007 US Jr. Silver Medalist
• 2007 Jr. World Champion
• 2008 US Pewter Medalist
• 2008 Jr. World Silver Medalist
• 2009 US Bronze Medalist
• 2009 Jr. World Silver Medalist
• 2010 US Nationals 11th
• 2010 Four Continents Bronze Medalist

Caroline is a skater who enjoyed great success as a Junior and many expected she would make the Olympic team in 2010. When she moved up to the senior ranks nationally, she made the podium twice and continued to have success internationally as a junior, winning gold once and silver twice. Unfortunately she fell off a bit in the past two years, some of which can be attributed to technical issues, but most of which is mind and confidence-based. Caroline was a little jumping machine with amazing flexibility when she was younger, but when it came time to show maturity in her skating, some technical deficiencies were revealed and she began to suffer downgrades and under-rotation calls on her jumps. She is taking this season to revamp her jumping technique, much like World champion Mao Asada. I wish her well at Nationals this year and truly hope she can make a comeback. It would be so unfortunate for her to go down in history as the skater that could have been great. Fortunately she is only 17 and she still has time to regain her skills and mature as an artist in time to make a splash internationally and qualify for Sochi in 2014.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 9 Days!

Felicia Zhang & Taylor Toth (The SC of New York)

• 2010 US Junior National Champions

I first caught this team on this year's senior Grand Prix circuit at Skate America. What I remember most is a side by side spin sequence in their free skate where one's blade got too close for comfort to the other's face. Peter Carruthers made a comment that under the new judging system, inexperienced pairs are trying elements that are too difficult before they are ready to perform them safely. I think this may be the case with this pair and while I think they have a lot of potential and a bright future ahead of them, they still look very much like a junior pair. I found their music choice of  Clair de Lune to be a bit mature for their age and level, but I like their free program to Miss Saigon and found it age appropriate. This is a young team that could definitely have a future in pairs skating if they can master the basics before they move on to difficult elements. I predict they will be in the second to last warm up group for the free skate in Greensboro and finish in the second flight  of pair teams.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 10 Days!

Isabella Cannuscio & Ian Lorello (University of Delaware FSC)

• 2009 Junior Grand Prix Final 6th
• 2010 National Junior Pewter Medalists

This team has a nice look on the ice and they will be a team to watch in the upcoming seasons. They have two really nice programs this year, a short dance to Billy Joel's Piano Man and a free dance to West Side Story. I can tell they are still working to master all of their elements and improve on their technical levels but they made a wonderful showing on the senior Grand Prix circuit this season and also showed improvement from their performances in China to their programs in France. West Side Story is so overused in ice dance, but I really like their choreography and it plays on the dynamics and intricacies of the music. They also bring a nice youthful quality to the performance and really commit to their characters of Tony and Maria. I look forward to seeing even more improvement on these programs at Nationals and I think they will make a strong showing and land in the second flight of teams just below the podium finishers. Their goals this season were to get an international assignment and to finish in the top 5 at Nationals. Well they competed in two Grand Prix events so they can check off number one and if they keep improving, they very well may be able to check off their second goal as well.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 11 Days!

Ross Miner (SC of Boston)

• 2009 US Jr. Champion
• 2009 World Jr. Championships 10th
• 2009 Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist
• 2010 NHK Trophy 9th
• 2010 Cup of China 7th

At only 19, Ross is still young for a male figure skater. He missed Nationals last year due to injury so he is actually in a good position going into Nationals this season. He has no National standing to lose so he can really go all out and try to make a splash. He has a lot of charisma for someone so young and his performances give off a very "old hollywood vibe." I would love to see him skate to Cole Porter or Gershwin. He looks like he could be the little brother of Jeremy Abbott, but in terms of skating quality he actually reminds me of a young Todd Eldredge. I don't know if he has the technical content or the experience to compete with the likes of Abbott, Rippon, and Mroz, but who knows, this young skater just may surprise the field and end up on the podium in Greensboro!

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 12 Days!

Christina Gao (Northern Kentucky SC)

• 2009 US Jr. Bronze Medalist
• 2009 Jr. Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist
• 2010 US Nationals 5th
• 2010 World Jr. Championships 8th
• 2010 Jr. Grand Prix Final 6th

Christina made a great senior debut last year at Nationals, placing 5th behind Rachael Flatt, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, and Sasha Cohen. After a disappointing 8th place finish at the Junior Worlds last year, she chose to remain a junior for this year's Grand Prix and won silver at both of her events, qualifying for the Grand Prix Final. She came back with a strong free skate after an underwhelming short program, but still finished 6th overall. Christina is well trained, studying under Brian Orser and alongside Adam Rippon in Toronto, and she is improving fast. She is only 16 and will certainly be one to watch in Sochi in 3 years. Look for her to be in the final warm-up group for the ladies free skate in Greensboro if all goes as planned, along with Rachael Flatt, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Alissa Czisny, and Agnes Zawadzki. 

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 13 Days!

Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (DuPage FSC)

• 2011 Nesquik Cup Champions

This pairing is interesting to say the least. Mary Beth Marley won silver in the novice ladies category last year at Nationals and her coaches suggested that she try pairs so she said she would only do that if she could partner with Rockne Brubaker. Around that time Brubaker was ending his partnership with Keauna McLaughlin so he happened to be available. The two had a tryout and hit it off. There is a nine-year age gap between these two which could make it difficult for them to connect on the ice, but only time will tell how that will all work out. The two just competed in their first senior international competition, the 2011 Nesquik Cup, where they won gold. Their scores are competitive with the top US pairs so if all goes as planned, they should finish around 5th at Nationals. But as we know, the pairs competition is a craps shoot and this new team could easily upset the field. Here you can see exactly how their scores match up against what other US pairs did on the Grand Prix circuit, courtesy of my good friend at http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/mary-beth-marleyrockne-brubaker-at.html

http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/mary-beth-marleyrockne-brubaker-at.html

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 14 Days!

Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (Ann Arbor FSC)

• 2007 US Junior Bronze Medalists
• 2007 World Junior Championships 11th
• 2009 US Nationals 8th
• 2010 US Nationals 8th
• 2010 Skate America 6th

I must admit that I haven't paid much attention to this team the past few seasons at Nationals but they really caught my eye at Skate America this season. Their short dance to "The Trouble With Love Is" is very sensual and they really have a knack for emoting and connecting with each other out on the ice. They have nice speed across the ice but the best thing about this team is the visual aesthetic they create. They are close in height and Lynn has long legs so some of the positions she hits are quite breathtaking, particularly in rotational lifts. They said their goals for this season were to receive a Grand Prix assignment and to medal at Nationals. Well they can put a check beside the first one and the second one may be within reach since the US Nationals allows four on the podium. I think that Davis/White, Chock/Zuerlein, and the Shibutanis have the top three slots locked up, bet there is definitely room for Lynn & Logan to land in fourth if they can deliver two inspired programs in Greensboro.

Countdown to US Figure Skating Championships: 15 Days!

Armin Mahbanoozadeh (Washington FSC)

• 2007 US Novice Champion
• 2007 Junior Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist
• 2008 Junior Grand Prix Final Silver Medalist
• 2010 US Nationals 8th
• 2010 Skate America Bronze Medalist

Get ready to work on you pronunciation because Mahbanoozadeh is about to become a household name. Armin had International success as a junior on the Grand Prix circuit but struggled at Nationals and failed to ever qualify for Junior Worlds. In his senior debut, he placed a respectable 8th last season. With Lysacek and Weir out for the season, Armin has an opportunity to move up in the National ranks but nobody expected him to move up so early in the season. His bronze at Skate America was one of the biggest surprises of the Grand Prix season and left many wishing he would have received a second Grand Prix assignment. Perhaps the most important aspect of his bronze medal was that he upset top US contender Adam Rippon, establishing him as a strong medal threat in Greensboro at the end of the month. According to his coach Priscilla Hill, Skate America was about skating clean, which he did, and he will attempt to add more difficulty into his programs at National, including the quad. Ironically, after the quad controversy at the 2010 Olympics, it seems that the quad may define the Mens event in Greensboro. Abbott, Mroz, and Bradley all have it, but its a craps shoot of they will be landed cleanly. On the flip side, Rippon and Mahbanoozadeh are arguably the more artistic skaters of the bunch so only time will tell if technique or presentation will take the cake in Greensboro.