2014 SKATE CANADA: Pairs Preview

The 2014-2015 edition of the Meagan Duhamel show kicks off tomorrow. I hope she learns to point her feet for the event. The top two seem pretty clear here, but bronze is up for grabs.





Podium Predictions:
Gold: Duhamel & Radford (CAN)
Silver: Sui & Han (CHN)
Bronze: Tarasova & Morozov (RUS)

Duhamel & Radford (CAN) pretty much felt they were guaranteed an Olympic bronze last year, but then Ksenia Stolbova happened. They repeated as world bronze medalists last season, but I feel like that's not enough for Meagan. She is in it to win it for another four years cycle, but finding the perfect programs will be key. The artistic side of skating is foreign to them, but God bless her vegan diet.

Sui & Han (CHN) are looking to hit the reset button after a strong campaign the last quad ended without a trip to the Olympics. Age is no longer a concern, and if they are healthy, they could be on the verge of a world medal this season. Now that they are teamed with Bin Yao and Hongbo Zhou, their ISU standing should escalate.

Tarasova & Morozov (RUS) have two of the most famous names in the figure skating world. They placed an impressive second at the Nebelhorn Trophy after also placing second at junior worlds last season. They have an excellent opportunity to medal here if they hit their elements.

The Rest of the Field:
Jones & Reagan (CAN)-4th at 2014 US International Classic, 7th at Skate Canada Autumn Classic
Moore-Towers & Marinaro (CAN)-No competitive history
James & Cipres (FRA)-5th at 2014 Europeans, 10th at 2014 Olympics, 10th at 2014 Worlds, 4th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trohpy
Vartmann & Van Cleave (GER)-9th at 2014 Europeans, 3rd at 2014 Coup de Nice
Aaron & Settlage (USA)-5th at 2014 World Juniors, 3rd at 2014 US International Classic, 6th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy, 5th at 2014 Skate America 

2014 SKATE CANADA: Mens Preview

I always like Skate Canada because for some reason I feel like they consistently get the best talent. I don't see anyone running away with this mens event like Machida did at Skate America. I think we will have a cluster of 5 at the top and 4-5 in the middle.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Javier Fernandez (ESP)
Silver: Takahito Mura (JPN)
Bronze: Takahiko Kozuka (JPN)

Javier Fernandez (ESP) has been hyped up for the past two years, but hasn't actually lived up to the hype for most of that time. He's the Gracie Gold of mens skating if Gracie had two world medals. He's a jumper and he performs like Elvis Stojko. Brian Orser needs him to step up this season in the depleted post-Sochi field. He hasn't competed a major international since Worlds so he may have to kick the dust off the tires a bit. The mixture of the tacky as hell Black Betty and highbrow "Barber of Seville" sum up Javier perfectly.

Takahito Mura (JPN) has suffered greatly from the depth of mens figure skaters in Japan. He won the 2014 Four Continents, won the recent International Challenge Cup and placed 2nd at the Lombardia Trophy. This is going to be his season to break out.

Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) has had an up and down go of it the past few years. The 2010 Grand Prix looked like his coming out party, but he has struggled with his jumps as of late and Yuzuru Hanyu blew by him at home. Missing the Sochi team must have shredded his confidence, but he finished a respectable 6th at the 2014 Worlds and will look to reestablish himself this season. I think he could've benefitted from performing a senior B event.

The Rest of the Field:
Elladj Balde (CAN)-11th at 2014 Four Continents, 18th at 2014 Worlds, 5th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy
Liam Firus (CAN)-28th at 2014 Olympics, 9th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy
Kevin Reynolds (CAN)-15th at 2014 Olympics, 11th at 2014 Worlds, 6th at 2014 Autumn Classic
Michal Brezina (CZE)-4th at 2014 Europeans, 10th at 2014 Olympics, 2nd at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy
Florent Amodio (FRA)-13th at 2014 Europeans, 18th at 2014 Olympics, 7th at 2014 Lombardia Trophy
Konstantin Menshov (RUS)-3rd at 2014 Europeans, 3rd at 2014, Nebelhorn Trophy
Max Aaron (USA)-8th at 2014 Worlds, 1st at 2014 US International Classic
Stephen Carriere (USA)-1st at 2014 O. Nepela
Adam Rippon (USA)-8th at 2014 Four Continents, 2nd at 2014 Finlandia Trophy

Skate Canada: Pairs Short Program LIVE BLOG!

2) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
     Music: Open Arms

• They look like they feel awkward doing that opening sequence
• I really like the pairs that jump opposite of one another, but it's better when they land them
• She really must point that foot
• Feed cutting in and out terribly
• You know it's bad when the man's foot is pointed more than the woman's
• They should stick to more athletic programs as the artistry isn't their strongest suit
• She looks most at home in the lifts because she is such an athlete
• 24.41 (TES) + 23.06 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 46.47

3) Daria Popova & Bruno Massot (FRA)

     Music: La Belle Historie

• They are intense,  love it!
• This team looks slick
• The entrance into that throw was long and labored, the throw was very crashy
• Oy vey, so let's take back what I said about this team looking slick, they are falling apart at the seems
• Early season pairs events are usually a travesty and this one is certainly living up
• 25.53 (TES) + 23.90 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 48.43 

4) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)

 Music: Robin and Marion

• This opening is gorgeous
• They look so smooth and fast
• Paige is such a precious little pixie
• Really tight SBS jumps
• This is really the best I've ever seen them
• That was divine-like a breath of fresh air
• 25.90 (TES) + 26.98 (PCS) = 52.88

5) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)

 Music: La Boheme

• Odd costuming, I don't like it at all
• I kind of like Eric's long hair flapping in the wind, but it looks more like Ice Dance hair
• These lifts are going to be very slick by the end of the season' they are choppy now but they'll get there
• They are telegraphing those jumps, they can do better
• That throw looked doomed from the takeoff, how did she land it?
• He is much more enjoyable to watch now; she is stiff but he is so fluid
• She needs to mimic his reckless abandon 
• 35.35 (TES) + 29.14 (PCS) = 64.49

6) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)

 Music: Paint it Black

• Wow this is smooth
• The lines are wonderful in all black, though I could do without her Morticia Addams spiderweb detail
• Spins a little off
• The are lacking in the fine details, but they kill it in their strength areas, the athletic jumps and throws 
• 31.13 (TES) + 28.66 (PCS) = 59.79

7) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)

 Music: Kismet

•  Here come the disco animals from Lady Gaga's bathhouse
• Awesome speed, impeccable body lines
• Poor Robin, you know he just goes along with Aliona's every whim
• This has to be old hat to them, I just love how they keep it fresh every year
• These costumes are very Merce Cunningham
• Very cool entrance into the press lift and a very unique ending
• 38.63 (TES) + 33.63 (PCS) = 72.26

2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Schedule (EST)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skate Canada: Mens Preview

If (and that's a big if) we happen to get a feed for this event, I will be live blogging all of the Skate Canada events this weekend!

Competition Schedule:
Friday October 26th at 7:30 pm-Short Program
Saturday October 27th at 7:10 pm-Free Skate



Hi, anybody who knows anything knows that Patrick Chan (CAN) is going to win this event. He is at home, he is the love child of IJS and the judging panels. He is working with a new coaching team this year because he fired the people who created him so we'll see if that takes a toll on his emotional status. It's a big year for P-Chiddy because he has two, count 'em two, new programs this year. Good times! In all seriousness, this guy can skate and it's great to see the quads, but let's hope he holds back some of the goods to make it a fair fight for the rest of the field.

Javier Fernandez (ESP) is my new skating boyfriend. I am just smitten with him! He is a lovely performer and I love how he was hot on Chan's heels at last year's skate Canada. I cannot wait to see his Zorro short program and especially his Charlie Chaplin free skate. Both should be endearing and jam-packed technically. I really want him to win, but it will take a lot to beat Chan on home ice.

Ross Miner (USA) has a chance to make the podium on the Grand Prix this season, but until he gets the quad nobody will take him seriously. He is usually pretty consistent so considering that the first 2 or 3 Grand Prix events are a hot mess, he has a really good shot at the podium.

Speaking of hot messes, Florent Amodio (FRA) has been all over the place in the past two years. I no longer take him seriously as a competitor, but I do look forward to seeing the costumes that he borrows from the disco animals in Lady Gaga's bathhouse. I'm looking at his free skate music, which looks like a hot disaster on blades, and I couldn't be more excited about it!.

Our dear Artur Gachinski (RUS) is a hot mess of an entirely different variety. We love that he is Evgeni's mini-me and how he flails about like Boy George in 1980s London, but it really has no place on the ice in 2012 under IJS. Perhaps he should've been born in another generation so he could pit his "style" against the likes of Rudy Galindo and Philipe Candeloro. He does have a World medal under his belt, but he has not risen to the occasion since he accomplished that feat in 2010.

Our dear little Nobunari Oda (JPN) is a sad case. Ever since he became a father his career has gone down hill. 2011-2012 was a disaster for him and this is a do or die year. Takahashi is still fabulous, Hanyu and Kozuka are world medalists, and Machida is on his way up the ranks. If Oda does not prove this season that he can still do it, I say the Japanese federation washes their hands of him as they did with Fumie Suguri.

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Javier Fernandez
Bronze: Ross Miner

The Rest of the Field:
Elladj Balde (CAN)
Liam Firus (CAN)
Takahito Mura (JPN)
Denis Ten (KAZ)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Ladies Short Program LIVE BLOG

1:55 And we're live, nothing happening yet, but a decent size crowd!
2:04 The Assistant TS has FIERCE hair!
2:05 I love Adriana's hot pink dress! Ashley Wagner got more applause than the hometown girls!
2:06 Liza is wearing a signature Russian long-sleeved dress
2:06 All-out Spanish attire for Hecken
2:07 Ashley Wagner is looking lovely and blond in a red dress accented with a Swarovski neckline and halter-strap
2:08 Basic black with a Swarovski neckline and criss-cross straps for Lacoste
2:10 DeSanctis hasn't competed in years so she'll be a dark horse


1) Adriana DeSanctis (CAN)
     Music: Street Scene by Alfred Neuman

• Hand down on the triple lutz, didn't catch the rotation
• I love the dress, but the ponytail looks a little too casual
• Good triple salchow-double toe
• Some slight audio issues, just getting the kinks out
• Slow spin exits but nice positions
• I really like this piece of music
• Low landing on the double axel, may have put a hand down
• Needs more stretch on that I-spin and more toe point on the sit

SP Score: 26.18 (TES) + 20.96 (PCS) = 47.14


2) Elizaveta Tuktamisheva (RUS)
    Music: Tango by Astor Piazzolla

• A lot of flashy hand movements in the opening sequence
• Triple lutz-triple toe, very quick rotation
• Triple loop with nice flow out
• Double axel, slightly bent free leg on the landing
• She bangs out the jumps very fast
• She is an expressive little diva!
• She looks a like shaky on her legs in her footwork, perhaps a bit of nervous
• Fly into the sit spin could have been a little higher, needs a bit more speed
• She is slightly rough around the edges, but there is so much talent there and she'll certainly grow
• So happy with that, she is thrilled!

SP Score: 33.95 (TES) + 25.62 (PCS) = 59.57


3) Sarah Hecken (GER) 
    Music: Malaguena by Lecuona

• Hmm, a music selection we've never heard
• Triple lutz with a wide swinging free leg-popped single toe
• I want her movements to be so much sharper and more specific with this music
• That layback is just not pretty, sorry to say
• She has long limbs, she should use them
• Really nice double axel with quick rotation speed
• Good donut spin position, but the transition out was awkward
• This footwork really lacks speed and needs more knee bend
• This is a hard piece of music to do because you're compared to all who have done it before you
• Really slow final spin
• That won't be a great score, but she held on

SP Score: 22.78 (TES) + 21.72 (PCS) = 44.50


4) Ashley Wagner (USA)
    Music: Pollock by Jeff Beal

• Come on Ashley!
• I like this music a lot, she looked great in practice yesterday
• Good speed, nice choreography
• Triple flip-double toe in the Rippon variation
• She looks confident!
• Short entry on the triple lutz
• Really good rotation on the double axel
• I want a little more toe point on her spins, but good position variations
• She has a very fine layback
• Great view of John Nicks looking on at his student
• This foot work is very musical, nice nuance work
• Spread eagle into a sit spin variation
• And that is how you do a clean short! So good to see her happy!

SP Score: 30.02 (TES) + 24.48 (PCS) = 54.50

5) Amelie Lacoste (CAN)
     Music:Satin Doll by Duke Ellington

• This costume is fierce and elegant at the same time, suits the jazz piece so well
• Really long flowing edge out of that double axel
• Triple loop-double loop, may be a 3-3 some day
• Fall on the triple lutz, it didn't look rotated either
• Really nice low sit spin position and variations
• She isn't the most naturally expressive skater, but she's really trying
• Good stretch on the camel
• I really like the use of levels and the whole body in the step sequence
• This is a stylish and mature program
• I look forward to seeing the growth as the season continues
• Obviously she's not happy with the fall, but I loved the program as a whole

SP Score: 26.71 (TES) + 24.89 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 50.60
 
6) Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN)
     Music: Spanish Guitar

• She is the home favorite and National champ so she has a lot of support here
• Wow, backless much??
• This is last year's short, and costume #4? #5?
• It's a sassy piece from what I remember
• Quick double axel, good ice coverage
• Popped triple lutz to single, unfortunately that's been the story of her career
• This is a nicely compose program, but she doesn't look 100% invested
• Really flexed foot on the beginning phase of the layback
• I don't like that she's seemingly checked out of the program after the pop
• She's finally picking up the energy a little for the ending footwork and spin

SP Score: 23.36 (TES) + 25.34 (PCS) = 48.70


7) Rachael Flatt (USA)
     Music: East of Eden

• I'm nervous about this because I haven't seen her skate since Worlds 2011 and we all know how that went down
• I'm not sure if I like this costume change or not, maybe the wrist bands are throwing me off
• Triple flip-double toe looked clean to me but I caught it at a weird angle
• Good footwork into the triple lutz, nice smile!
• Is it just me or have her spins improved?
• I like that she is just breathing and flowing easily through this program, no rushing about it
• Good double axel
• She looks so happy out there, gorgeous Ina Bauer
• I know many don't, but I happen to LOVE this footwork sequence
• Camel into illusions is a little wild, but she reigned it in
• She'll be thrilled with that performance!

SP Score: 29.14 (TES) + 25.09 (PCS) = 54.23


8) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
     Music: Danzarin by Tango Lorca

• Not loving this costume, it's very Forever 21 Homecoming dress
• Very clean opening jump
• I like this new program on Mira, very aggressive and mature
• Oh lord Mirai, did you really have to go and fall?
• Good double axel
• If she holds it together, she could still pull a big number with spins and PCS
• She really needs more stretch on that split jump
• Well she won't be leading after the short, so that should quell her nerves going into the free
• Good stretch on the I-spin, she makes that look easy

SP Score: 27.61 (TES) + 26.12 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 52.73


9) Alena Leonova (RUS)
     Music: Pirates of the Caribbean by Hans Zimmer

• What is this costume? Pirate wench?
• Went for the 3-3 and stumbled out of the 2nd with a hand down
• She is an athlete, that's for sure, but this is clunky at best
• She's a Morozov skater alright, this looks like a carbon copy of a Miki Ando program
• This footwork is playfully tacky
• Sorry for any Alena fans, but I hate this program
• Can we ever retire this music? I do like this arrangement though
• reeeeeally slow spins
• That was so bizarre, no clue how it will score

SP Score: 23.86 (TES) + 25.89 (PCS) = 49.75


10) Akiko Suzuki (JPN)
      Music: Hungarian Rhapsody by Edvin Marton

• Wonky hop after her opening 3Flip, was that a missed combo?
• Pretty clean 3lutz
• Weird costume, I don't get it
• I like this piece of music and the footwork fits well
• Double axel
• She did not do a combination, unless that little hop after the 3Flip was supposed to be a single toe
• She'll probably fall between Nagasu & Leonova or so it seems as of now

SP Score: 26.14 (TES) + 26.68 (PCS) = 52.82

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Elizaveta TUKTAMISHEVA	RUS	59.57	33.95		25.62	6.46	5.96	6.68	6.43	6.50	0.00	#2
2	Ashley WAGNER	USA	54.50	30.02		24.48	6.21	5.71	6.25	6.29	6.14	0.00	#4
3	Rachael FLATT	USA	54.23	29.14		25.09	6.36	5.75	6.54	6.29	6.43	0.00	#7
4	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	52.82	26.14		26.68	6.93	6.39	6.68	6.75	6.61	0.00	#10
5	Mirai NAGASU	USA	52.73	27.61		26.12	6.79	6.32	6.54	6.68	6.32	1.00	#8
6	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	50.60	26.71		24.89	6.32	5.96	6.11	6.54	6.18	1.00	#5
7	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	49.75	23.86		25.89	6.54	6.00	6.50	6.57	6.75	0.00	#9
8	Cynthia PHANEUF	CAN	48.70	23.36		25.34	6.43	6.00	6.21	6.54	6.50	0.00	#6
9	Adriana DESANCTIS	CAN	47.14	26.18		20.96	5.43	4.93	5.43	5.29	5.14	0.00	#1
10	Sarah HECKEN	GER	44.50	22.78		21.72	5.57	5.11	5.54	5.39	5.54	0.00	#3

Skate Canada: Mens Practice LIVE BLOG

4:10 Huge crash from Patrick, a little slow getting up but seems fine
4:08 Chan's edge and blade work is superior to everybody else
4:03 Run-thrus are over, now we'll have the obligatory jump off
4:03 I haven't seen much in Majorov's program on which to comment, but his footwork is very nice and comes right at the end of the program
4:02 It amazes me that these commentators are so experienced yet they aren't doing much
4:00 Majorov up last, not doing a whole lot in this Bolero skate
3:57 I'm so glad Fernandez switched from Morozov to Orser
3:56 This is a new, more gentle look from Fernandez, he's softened his presentation but kept the height of his jumps
3:54 Marked the Quad toe, good ice coverage, very wide strokes, huge jumps
3:53 Fernandez up next, will her do the Quad?
3:50 Strong 3A from Rogozine, he really attacks his footwork, reminds me a bit of Yagudin
3:50 Rogozine out next, stumble on the 3F-3T but recovers; great speed
3:48 Chan takes a bit of a break mid-program
3:46 Patrick skates well to the intricate music, but it doesn't live through him like it does with Takahashi
3:45 Huge opening jump almost into the TV booth, looking fast and strong
3:44 This is my first look at his free skate, so much choreography right off the top, the crowd is silent
3:44 Chan is up next for his run through
3:43 This will be interesting to see how Elladj hits this program
3:42 I like this selection of Michael Jackson pieces
3:40 These attempted Michael Jackson moves take me back to last season, and not in a good way
3:39 Elladj starts us off w/ a Michael Jackson piece
3:37 Patrick looks serious and focused
3:34 Patrick Chan is on the ice and people are going nuts
3:21 Great Men's session, all of them bow to the crowd; Group 2 getting ready to come out including Chan and the rest of the Canadians
3:20 Adam wipes out on a 4lz attempt and nearly takes out Ross Miner, Miner helps him up
3:17 Adam finally hits a nice 3A at the end of practice
3:15 The end of this practice, after the run-throughs, has become a jump off
3:14 Dais is taking some HARD falls working on Quads
3:13 Nice 3A from Ross right then
3:13 Wow Pasquale, the choreographer, is there with Adam as well
3:10 Adam's jumps look more sound now that he's with Jason
3:09 The jumps he is doing look fantastic, really quick rotation
3:08 Adam is doubling and singling a lot of jumps, but I assume that is to conserve energy
3:06 Rippon is up now, looking loverly; and the commentators again get it wrong, Adam has been on the circuit more than 2 seasons
3:04 His Untouchables free skate is very Kenny G esque
3:02 Rough jumping day for Ross, all the landings look unsteady and uneasy
3:01 Ross Miner out now
2:59 Beautiful set for Denis with a Quad Toe followed by a 3A
2:56 Denis Ten had a great free at Skate America, but he is quite the head case
2:54 I just love that most of the skaters wear all black, or at least muted colors
2:53 Dais hears music in a way unlike others, I just love him
2:53 We also have Miner and Rippon up in this group
2:52 Very bluesy program from Takahashi, he is very blank-faced so I can't tell if he's tired or just very serious
2:50 KVDP is doing back to back events so he stayed in the states in the mean time
2:46 KVDP looks like he's wearing a bullet-proof vest, walking thru the beginning of his Free

Skate Canada: Pairs Practice LIVE BLOG

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

Skate Canada: Ladies Practice LIVE BLOG

11:48 I may not get to watch the rest of the ladies, but I will be back for Pairs at 12:50 EST, just check back on my main blog site
11:45 Feed is back up, hello Canadians in the crowd!
11:43 The 3 Canadians + Hecken & Suzuki are on the ice now, but we don't have the feed
11:36 We've lost the feed, but I"m pretty sure everyone is done anyway
11:33 Ashley is leaving the ice and Reliable Rachael is still working
11:32 Mirai just hit 3 fantastic triple flips in a row
11:31 Wagner, Flatt, Nagasu, Tuktamisheva and Leonova in this session, Phaneuf, DeSanctis, Lacose, Hecken, and Suzuki in session 2
11:30 They commentators just said, "the Russians are off the ice and the Americans are working hard and pounding it"
11:30 Rachael's spins are looking  a little better today, faster and cleaner position changes
11:28 Mirai just ran several jumps again and nailed them, she looks really determined after Frank have her a talking to following the run through
11:28 We have the rest of the ladies coming up in a few minutes
11:24 Very good short from Ashley, and she looks to be in such great shape
11:23 Ashley Wagner looks fantastic, nice spins, and very clean jumps, Mr. Nicks seems to have worked his magic
11:21 I like these commentators, they'retelling us exactly what each skater is doing and what level it would receive
11:20 Mirai seems to have found her footing, really nice step sequence and a gorgeous change of edge camel spin
11:19 Mirai took a hard fall just there, she's not looking her best right now, but I've always heard that a hard practice makes for a great performance
11:15 We're back, Rach is taking a little break in the middle of the program and now she's back, somebody is  doing commentary and they're talking about GOE, not sure in what respect
11:14 Stream just cut out...be back momentarily
11:13 Hand down on a triple lutz for Rachael, looked rotated
11:12 Rachael is not doing her free skate run-through w/ the first triple
11:10 I'm loving Liza's step sequence, very interesting turns, kicks, and flicks
11:09 Now it's Liza's turn to run through, she is really going after, no marking in the opening section, marks the jump combination
11:07 Alena is looking solid in practice today, at least what she's actually doing
11:05 Alena seems to be doing a run-thru of her short program
11:05 Liza and others have made several outfit changes already
11:04 I'm watching on mute because the sound is horrible
11:02 Rachael & Ashley almost run into one another and have a little giggle moment
11:02 Ashley Wagner gets right into some footwork, as does Rachael Flatt (definitely her short program step sequence)
11:01 Mirai is looking very fast, Liza is commanding that ice like an old pro!
11:00 All of the skaters look to be in better shape than when we last saw them
10:59 There are a few crowded sections in the arena, but it's mostly empty
10:58 It looks like a few ladies are missing, I can't tell exactly who is there but I see all three Americans and Liza

2011 Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Viewing Schedules

**All times listed below are Eastern Standard Time Zone**

Rostelecom Cup

Moscow, Russia

Friday November 25th
7:00 a.m. Ladies Short Program
8:35 a.m. Pairs Short Program
10:45 a.m. Men's Short Program
12:20 p.m. Short Dance
Saturday November 26th
7:00 a.m. Ladies Free Skate
8:45 a.m. Pairs Free Skate
10:25 a.m. Men's Free Skate

12:25 p.m. Free Dance               

2011 Skate Canada: Ice Dance Preview

Saying that this Ice Dance field is crowded is an understatement. 3 of these 8 teams were top 5 at 2011 Worlds and the rest are World Class as well. While Gold is pretty much locked up, we'll see a heated battle for Silver & Bronze as well as the right to place in the top 5. The dancers take the ice for their short dance Friday October 28th at 9:10 pm EST and Sunday October 30th at 12:30 pm for their free dance.

This might as well be an exhibition for Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN) because they have no competition. They are in a class of their own and this event on home ice will be their coming out party. They already stomped the field at Finlandia Trophy and won't have a real challenge until the Grand Prix Final, but oh what a joy just to watch them skate. Making their season's debut, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN) are a medal favorite after ending 2010-2011 with a bang, finishing 5th at Worlds. Training with Pechalat & Bourzat, who have withdrawn from this event, will push them to up their game, and they have the potential to pass them this season, but either way those two should battle all year. Ekaterina Riazanova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS) spent 2010-2011 as the 3rd team in Russia and didn't make the Worlds team, but now that Russia has 3 slots, their season is wide open. I really like their style and they are a fringe team that could capitalize on a mistake by a top tier team and snag a medal as they did last season on the Grand Prix. Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA) are are a team that needs a lot of individual attention in order to make a leap in the rankings and I fear they won't get that from the overcommitted Morozov. They always put together nice programs and had a good showing at Worlds. They are now a medal threat after the withdrawal of the French. Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA) are a new team and though they made a solid debut at Finlandia Trophy, they have a lot of work to do if they hope to make Worlds this season and they won't be as focused on a medal here as they will be on getting feedback from judges and improving their levels and scores. Ekaterina Pushkash & Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) are making their senior debut after winning Silver at the 2011 Junior Worlds and it will be great to see how they transition their style to the senior ranks. Tarrah Harvey & Keith Gagnon (CAN) are a host pick making their Grand Prix debut.

My Podium Predictions:

1) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)

2) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

3) Ekaterina Riazanova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS

Competitive History:

Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)-8th 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Mont Blanc Trophy, 5th 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 153.77 at 2011 Worlds

Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)-3rd 2011 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 136.88 at 2011 Finlandia Trophy

Tarrah Harvey & Keith Gagnon (CAN)-8th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 9th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, 5th 2008 JGP Belarus

Ekaterina Pushhkash & Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS)-2nd 2011 World Juniors, 4th 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP Czech, 2nd 2010 JGP Japan; PB: 136.80 at 2010 JGP Czech

Ekaterina Riazanova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS)-6th 2011 Europeans, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 5th 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 146.79 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard

Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)-1st 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 2nd 2011 Worlds, 1st 2010 Worlds, 1st 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 181.79 at 2011 Worlds

Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)-5th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 160.32 at 2011 Worlds

2011 Skate Canada: Pairs Preview

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

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

My Podium Predictions:

1) Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)

2) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)

3) Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)

Competitive History:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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