Rostelecom Cup: Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
  Music: Legends of the Fall & Time to Say Goodbye

• I love to see them jump in opposite directions, when it goes well that is
• Seeing that death spiral from overhead made me dizzy
• This choreography seems so old fashioned to me
• Hard slip on the 2nd throw
• Even aside from that, this is light years better than their first GP outing
• I do like the positions on that final spin
• Ended after the music
• I wish he would shave, he looks scruffy
• 50.22 (TES) + 48.02 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 97.24
• 45.91 (SP) + 97.24 (FS) = 143.16

2) Nicole Della Monica & Matteo Guarise (ITA)
  Music: The Phantom of the Opera

• What do these costumes have to do with Phantom?
• Her upper body is very expressive
• She is clearly the better skater, he needs  lot of work on jumping and artistry
• Oh geez, he tripped and fell on a crossover
• He is clearly just there because he's strong enough to lift and throw her
• He looks so unsure and shaky out there that I'm concerned for her safety in those lifts
• They are just skating through this music, no connection to it at all
• This music may be overdone, but it's very emotionally charged and I don't understand how you can skate to it without feeling something
• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 50.25 (SP) + (FS) =

3) Anastasia Martiusheva & Alexei Rogonov (RUS)
  Music: The Mission

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 50.90 (SP) + (FS) =

4) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
  Music: War Horse

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 51.86 (SP) + (FS) =

5) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
  Music: Phantom of the Opera

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 59.02 (SP) + (FS) =

6) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
  Music: Spartacus

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 66.02 (SP) + (FS) =

7) Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)
  Music: Violin Muse

• (TES) + (PCS) =
• 74.74 (SP) + (FS) =

Rostelecom Cup: Ladies short program LIVE blog

1) Gracie Gold (USA)
  Music: Hernando's Hideaway

• Who doesn't love Hernando's Hideaway?
• Nice 3-3 Gracie, I love the speed
• So far so good, but I feel like she's speeding through the choreography and just ticking off the elements
• Now that's she's put down a clean short on the GP, that's a huge step
• Our girl looks thrilled
• 34.92 (TES) + 27.24 (PCS) = 62.16

2) Caroline Zhang (USA)
  Music: Rushing Wings of Dawn

• I love everything that she does with her face at the beginning of this piece
• I love this music so much
• Uh on, pupped the first jump, not a good sign
• That stretched out camel is wonderful, but the bent leg position looks rough
• The step sequence is lovely in this piece, it perfectly fits the tone of the music
• 21.84 (TES) + 324.31 (PCS) = 46.15

3) Polina Korobeynikova (RUS)
  Music: Romeo & Juliet

• I'm loving this braid into the bun
• I actually really love this dress
• Her body type reminds me of Alissa Czisny
• She seems like a very introspective skater to me, which is coming back to me now from the Junior GP
• 26.42 (TES) + 25.03 (PCS) = 51.45

4) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
  Music: Sex and the City

• Agnes honey, what is this odd costume situation we've got going here?
• So, are you Carrie Bradshaw in Abu Dahbi?
• Well  I guess you can be whomever you want to be when you are jumping like this
• She is looking so slick today, so in a zone
• This is a great piece for a short program, it suits her energy
• I love all these arm variations in the combination spin
• 33.01 (TES) + 27.17 (PCS) = 60.18

5) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
  Music: Esperanza

• This program suits her fiery personality
• I feel like her spins and body positions are so improved this year
• Those swing programs last year didn't show of any of these wonderful things we are seeing from her this season
• The technical content is not at the level of the youngsters, but this is still a very solid program that will receive a good score
• 20.48 (TES) + 25.77 (PCS) = 46.25

6) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
  Music: Capriccio Espagnoi

• Nice 3-3
• Uh oh, baby popped her flip
• She is killing it in this footwork, you can tell that being at home helps her energy
• 29.11 (TES) + 18.00 (PCS) = 57.11

7) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
  Music: Prayer for Taylor

• Baby girl is killing it today
• I love that she reinvented herself into an artist, this is a beautiful piece
• Darn that fall, but still she's becoming quite the lovely skater
• 29.01 (TES) + 28.77 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 56.78

8) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
  Music: Poinciana

• I remember when it used to flip back and forth-who was better-between Viktoria & Joshi, but honestly it's not even close anymore
• That was just okay, iffy technique
• I like the short hair much better that last year's poofy up-dos
• Wait, doesn't her mom coach her anymore?
•  26.67 (TES) + 27.43 (PCS) = 54.10

9) Kiira Korpi (FIN)
  Music: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair

• This is my favorite costume of the season
• This is so delicate and soft
• That was pure enjoyment to watch
• 31.51 (TES) + 30.04 (PCS) = 61.55

10) Alena Leonova (RUS)
  Music: Slumdog Millionaire

• I never quite know what's going to happen when this one steps out onto the ice
• 
  
• (TES) + (PCS) =

Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Preview

This event is going to come down to who wants it the most. I can see this going so many different ways it's making my head spin. There are about 6 ladies that could win this thing, so let's get started. I'll be live blogging the short on Friday AM and all the free programs on Saturday AM. Here is a link to the schedule http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-grand-prix-of-figure-skating.html.

Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) is our favorite Russian baby. She is a more complete skater than Tuktamisheva and Lipnitskaia and I hope she can win here and make it to the Grand Prix Final in Sochi. She won bronze at Skate America so let's hope that she keeps escalating!

Kiira Korpi (FIN) is looking divine this season. Her costumes are gorgeous and I appreciate how calm she looks on the ice. I love that every time she steps out, we know that we are going to get something beautiful. I love her elegance. We know she will always receive high PCS marks so that helps give her the edge over many other skaters.

Kanako Murakami (JPN) looks to factor into the medal scene this season after already securing a bronze at Skate Canada. She is finally growing into her body and she's held onto her jumps while developing a new sense of artistry. I expect to see her in the top 6 at Worlds this year with her lovely programs.

Gracie Gold (USA) could easily hit the podium if she goes clean. We all expected her to medal at Skate Canada, but she is a rookie senior and we shouldn't put so much pressure on her. She is brand new on the scene and we need to be patient while she develops.

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
Silver: Kiira Korpi (FIN)
Bronze: Kanako Murakami (JPN)

The Rest of the Field:
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
Polina Korobeynikova (RUS)
Alena Leonova (RUS)
Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
Caroline Zhang (USA)

Rostelecom Cup: Mens Preview

Can P-Chiddy-Chan bounce back from the upset of Silver at Skate Canada? Are Kozuka and Oda really back or were the medals at Skate America and Skate Canada just a fluke? What on earth will Johnny Weir look like in a legitimate competition? Is Brezina over, or will he get it in gear? And what on earth is up with Artur Gachinski? There are so many questions surrounding this event, so let's get started!

Here is the event schedule. http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-grand-prix-of-figure-skating.html I'll be covering the ladies short on Friday morning and all of the free skates on Saturday.

How do we feel about this season's programs from Patrick Chan (CAN)? I mean, it's great that he decided to grace us with two new ones. I am sensing more actual expression from him, particularly in the free, but the execution was a little bit of a hot mess at Skate Canada. Even home cooking couldn't put him atop the podium, so he'll need to up the ante in Russia, which I suspect he'll do. For all I complain about him, I really do appreciate the attempt to create a sense of artistry that is not so manufactured this season.

Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) surprised us all by coming back from a disastrous (by his standards) 2011-2012 season to win Skate America. We love his programs this year and wish him the best in Mother Russia.

Nobunari Oda (JPN) is another curious case. It seemed last season that he was phasing out, but he came back and won a bronze at Skate Canada. He is one of those skaters that is more likely to do well now that later in the season as it will take a killer set of programs at Nationals to make the World team with the success of Takahashi, Kozuka, Machida, and Hanyu this season.

Oh lord, who is ready for Johnny Weir (USA) to come back? Wherever he goes, drama ensues. Whether this comeback is for real and he actually makes it to Sochi or not, he has a huge fanbase and it's good for the sport. We all know that he doesn't play by IJS rules and he skates the way he wants to, so I'm not expecting much out of him at this competition. We don't know what his technical elements will look like and how well his program will fit the code of points, but regardless, I love him and I'm so happy he's coming back!

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Takahiko Kozuka
Bronze: Nobunari Oda

The Rest of the Field:
Michal Brezina (CZE)
Denis Ten (KAZ)
Zhan Bush (RUS)
Artur Gachinski (RUS)
Konstantin Menshov (RUS)
Richard Dornbush (USA)

2012 Grand Prix Final Qualifiers

We are 3 events into the 2012 Grand Prix season, having just finished Cup of China, and we already have 3 Qualifiers to the Grand Prix Final.

MEN
Patrick Chan (CAN)-28 points (Skate Canada-13+Cup of Russia-15)
Takahiko Kozuka (JPN)-28 points (Skate America-15+Cup of Russia-13)
Tatsuki Machida (JPN)-26 points (Skate America-11+Cup of China-15)

LADIES
Kiira Korpi (FIN)-26 points (Cup of China-11+Rostelecom Cup-15)

PAIRS
Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)-30 points (Skate America-15+Cup of Russia-15)
Qing Pang & Jian Tong (CHN)-28 points (Skate America-13+Cup of China-15)

ICE DANCE
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)-30 points (Skate Canada-15+Cup of Russia-15)
Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)-26 points (Skate America-13+Cup of China-13)

Cup of China: Mens Free Skate LIVE BLOG

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	236.92	2	1
2	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	231.75	1	2
3	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	217.61	3	3
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	205.48	4	4
5	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	198.24	6	6
6	Yi WANG	CHN	188.27	8	5
7	Jinlin GUAN	CHN	171.04	9	7

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	153.44	76.66		77.78	7.75	7.39	7.89	7.86	8.00	1.00	#8
2	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	146.96	65.30		82.66	8.39	8.04	8.04	8.32	8.54	1.00	#9
3	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	144.03	73.59		70.44	7.32	6.54	7.21	7.04	7.11	0.00	#7
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	133.67	61.81		71.86	7.29	6.89	7.11	7.32	7.32	0.00	#6
5	Yi WANG	CHN	131.02	68.52		63.50	6.57	6.07	6.43	6.36	6.32	1.00	#2
6	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	128.37	62.17		67.20	6.82	6.64	6.64	6.64	6.86	1.00	#4
7	Jinlin GUAN	CHN	115.07	55.57		60.50	6.25	5.79	6.14	6.07	6.00	1.00	#1
WD	Nan SONG	CHN											#5
WD	Brian JOUBERT	FRA											#3

1) Jinlin Guan (CHN)
  Music: Percussion Carmen

• Oh geez, how does this costume go with Carmen?
• I don't understand what's happening here
• I actually like this step sequence
• This sounds weird but he has a sloppy head, he doesn't hold it up strong
• That was just meh, nothing behind his skating
• He looks gassed!
• 55.57 (TES) + 60.50 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 115.07
• 55.97 (SP) + 115.07 (FS) = 171.04

2) Yi Want (CHN)
  Music: Nothing Else Matters & One

• Nice smooth start
• This sounds like my Vitamin String Quartet, rock on!
• He is a very expressive skater with his upper body, I want him to look up and out instead of down at the ice
• This is actually a fairly interesting program, but he needs to show more on his face
• The potential is definitely there
• 68.52 (TES) + 63.50 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 131.02
• 57.25 (SP) + 131.02 (FS) = 188.27

3) Kevin Reynolds (CAN)
  Music: Concerto No. 4 in E Minor by Mathieu

• Yay, hit the first jump, that should be a good sign
• Doubling jumps, not a good sign
• I desperately want him to take some dance classes to loosen up his upper body
• Straighten that foot in the camel
• This kid has to way 100 pounds soaking wet
• Why are his jumps deceiving him? This guy was the 1st to land 2 different quads in the short
• I don't understand what has happened to his jumping technique
• This was an odd program, I just don't feel like it went anywhere
• 62.17 (TES) + 67.20 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 128.37
• 69.87 (SP) + 128.37 (FS) = 198.24

4) Adam Rippon (USA)
  Music: The Incredibles

• So after bumping heads with Song, I hope Adam is okay! Please be okay and please concentrate!
• Nice opening pose, I like that he's giving us face
• He looks so much more mature now!
• Feed froze, but I think he doubled his planned 3A
• I kind of like this new side to him, very jazzy and masculine
• Decent second 3A, probably two-footed, but good approach
• I like that 3-jump combo with the tano variation on both jumps
• He seems very at home in this style, he seems to be enjoying himself
• That was decent, no crashes, but he definitely gave away a lot of precious points popping jumps, not hitting 3-3 combos, etc
• I'm so torn, I liked that, but I really miss his balletic style
• 61.81 (TES) + 71.86 (PCS) = 133.67
• 71.81 (SP) + 133.67 (FS) = 205.48

5) Sergei Voronov (RUS)
  Music: Romeo & Juliet

• I don't get this meshy top for Romeo & Juliet
• He is doing work on these jumps
• He is Plushenko-like in that he goes up in the air and the jump looks wild, but he lands it like a cat
• This step sequence is an utter atrocity
• I don't understand, in what world do you wear a mesh top and gloves?
• Wow, this is the program of a lifetime today for him
• And we had to ruin it with the butt spin
• Honey, if you want to do a catch foot spin, please straighten the leg
• 73.59 (TES) + 70.44 (PCS) = 144.03
• 73.58 (SP) + 144.03 (FS) = 217.61

6) Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
  Music: Firebird

• This little peanut is trying to put us under his spell like Hanyu did last year
• He reminds me of a more stylish Oda because he is so cat-like an landing the jumps
• I love the little footwork flutters
• And the arm flutter I like as well
• This is a very stylish program, I'm glad to see that when Daisuke retires, we'll still have plenty of great Japanese men to watch
• Fall on the quad, but this should still be enough to make the podium
• 76.66 (TES) + 77.78 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 153.44
• 83.48 (SP) + 153.44 (FS) = 236.92

7) Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)
  Music: I Pagliacci

• Did we 2-foot that quad Dai?
• I want so badly to see him come back and win Olympic gold in 2014, just hang in there!
• He never does a program that's not interesting to watch, he is like Fred Astaire on ice
• Oh no Dai, why did you have to fall?
• With his PCS, he can handle one fall since Tatsu also fell
• I like this program on him, very dramatic
• His edge work is incredible, he would've been amazing at figures
• He was kind of on another planet today, seemed like he was out in space
• 65.30 (TES) + 82.66 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 146.96
• 84.9 (SP) + 146.96 (FS) = 231.75

Cup of China: Ladies Free Skate LIVE BLOG

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	181.76	2	1
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	177.92	1	2
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	169.86	4	3
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	163.46	3	4
5	Zijun LI	CHN	160.06	5	5
6	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	135.46	6	9
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	134.43	7	7
8	Ying ZHANG	CHN	130.65	9	6
9	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	127.36	8	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	118.87	54.53		64.34	8.14	7.75	7.96	8.11	8.25	0.00	#9
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	114.86	57.43		57.43	7.21	7.00	7.32	7.25	7.11	0.00	#10
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	110.17	51.03		59.14	7.43	7.04	7.32	7.54	7.64	0.00	#7
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	103.70	45.89		57.81	7.39	6.96	7.25	7.32	7.21	0.00	#8
5	Zijun LI	CHN	100.85	51.58		51.27	6.61	6.21	6.32	6.54	6.36	2.00	#6
6	Ying ZHANG	CHN	87.27	46.97		42.30	5.61	4.96	5.36	5.29	5.21	2.00	#2
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	84.76	38.16		47.60	6.04	5.64	6.04	6.04	6.00	1.00	#4
8	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	82.97	37.07		45.90	6.21	5.50	5.50	5.86	5.61	0.00	#3
9	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	78.03	31.06		48.97	6.46	6.11	5.71	6.25	6.07	2.00	#5
WD	Bingwa GENG	CHN											#1

1) Ying Zhang (CHN)

  Music: Soul Dance

• She is loving the blue costumes at this event
• She needs to straighten those legs and point the feet
• I knew that jump was going down from the minute it went up
• 3F-2T very low to the ground
• This program isn't doing anything for me, she is just going through the motions
• Nice scorpion position in that spiral, but the standing leg really needs to be straight
• 46.97 (TES) + 42.30 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 87.27
• 43.38 (SP) + (FS) = 130.65

2) Sofia Biryukova (RUS)
  Music: Turandot

• She is a beauty!
• This costume looks Asian to me; funny we don't see that more for Turandot
• Bad slip, hands down; I'm always surprised when hands down can actually stop a fall on slippery ice
• 2-foot crossed landings, we aren't starting out well here
• Very sloppy, I can't even comment on anything because it's so labored and sloppy
• That spread eagle into 2A was nice, but the eagle could've been on a deeper edge to enhance the drama
• She was not happy with that, looked like a mental lapse
• 37.07 (TES) + 45.90 (PCS) = 82.97
• 44.39 (SP) + 82.97 (FS) = 127.36

3) Joshi Helgesson (SWE)
  Music: Burlesque, Express, Blues in Night

• That white bodice is not that flattering, a brighter color like magenta or turquoise would've been nice
• There's absolutely nothing going on here right now
• She is totally going through the motions, not nearly enough sass
• Only 1 fall, but a lot of potential underrotations
• 38.16 (TES) + 47.60 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 84.76
• 49.67 (SP) + 84.76 (FS) = 134.43

4) Amelie Lacoste (CAN)
  Music: Rhapsody in Blue & Concerto in F by Gershwin

• I love her intensity, how she attacks everything
• Even if she's technically not sound, she's still exciting to watch
• Starting out with a fall usually puts her on a downward spiral, let's see how that plays out
• Of the first 4 jumps, all have had landing issues thus far
• She cannot land a clean jump to save her life, that's not a technical issue, that's confidence
• The program is composed beautifully and the choreography is well executed; if she had the jumps she'd be right in the thick of things
• 31.06 (TES) + 48.97 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)= 78.03
• 57.43 (SP) + 78.03 (FS) =

5) Zijun Li (CHN)
  Music: Sleeping Beauty

• She is at the perfect age to skate to this music, it's light and ethereal
• Jumping bean!
• Nice 2a-3a combo, 2 footed
• This is so sprightly, the program is just perfect for her
• I didn't realize Chengjiang Li was her coach, he was such a great jumper when he competed
• I also see that Karen Kwan choreographed this piece, it's lovely
• Her jumps are very small, quick, but small
• She is losing speed in the middle; as we saw at last year's 4 continents, it seems the Chinese skaters often aren't very well conditioned
• 51.58 (TES) + 51.27 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 100.85
• 59.21 (SP) + 100.85 (FS) = 160.06

6) Kiira Korpi (FIN)
  Music: Once Upon a Time in America

• This dress is divine, as all of her dresses always are
• I love the drama in that opening
• 3T-3T to open, very strong
• Feed froze in the middle of the program, missed a good chunk
• Jumps are starting to unravel, very squirrely landings
• A couple popped jumps, not want she wants or needs to get on the podium
• She's left enough of a door open technically that Li will pass her
• This is a very well composed program, once she builds up her stamina it should be lovely
• I think we have  clean triples, lots of wonky landings, she'll get there
• 51.03 (TES) + 59.14 (PCS) = 110.86
• 59.69 (SP) + 110.86 (FS) = 169.86

7) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
  Music: Symphony No. 3 by Saint-Saens

• Let's get this one Mirai
• Nearly into the boards on the first jump
• Clean 2a, 2-footed the combo
• Why are all of these jumps so close to the boards
• Feed froze, missed a good chunk of the middle
• This dress is lovely on her, I love the neckline/haltar detail
• I want more intensity in these steps, right now it looks like she's going through the motions
• Clean 3-2-2 combo, all of these landings are nice too, good flowing edges and straight free legs out of them
• This has been a great skate for Mirai, she looks really free out there
• Much more passion on that last step sequence
• She should be very happy and relieved right there
• 45.89 (TES) + 57.81 (PCS) = 103.70
• 59.76 (SP) + 103.70 (FS) = 163.46

8) Mao Asada (JPN)
  Music: Swan Lake

• I hope we get good Mao today, she has so much speed!
• That costume is to die for!
• She looks so delicate out there
• Gorgeous combination spin, every position is fantastic
• This is so graceful and lyrical
• I like the musical selection, she used in interesting arrangement with sections that aren't completely overdone
• This is going to be phenomenal by Worlds
• Very strong ending, what a beautifully composed and choreographed program
• Tarasova choreographed that, I wonder if it is odd working with your old coach as choreographer
• 54.53 (TES) + 64.34 (PCS) = 118.87
• 62.89 (SP) + 118.87 (FS) = 181.76

9) Julia Lipnitskaia (RUS)
  Music: Nutcracker

• Leaning very far over on landings of first combo
• Fall out of 2nd combo, one more little mistake like that and she'll give it away to Mao, she needs all the TES she can get
• There is no attempt at expression, she's just ticking the elements off the list
• I like this step sequence a lot, it's well placed in the music
• Best I-spin since Sasha Cohen
• She has a lot there to work with in that program; just let it develop
• 57.43 (TES) + 57.43 (PCS) = 114.86
• 63.06 (SP) + 114.86 (FS) = 177.92