SKATE AMERICA 2014: Ladies Preview

We are about to kick off the 2014-2015 figure skating season and I couldn't be more excited! I'm still feeling a little bit of the post-Olympic hangover, of course, but I love the fresh feeling of starting a new Olympic cycle. These skaters have a blank canvas ahead of them and the youngsters will start emerging as the favorites. Many of our favorites are returning and a handful of the great juniors have moved up, so here we go! Skate America kick off on Friday October 24th from Chicago, IL.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)
Silver: Gracie Gold (USA)
Bronze: Elena Radionova (RUS)

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) was a phenom on the senior ISU circuit a few years ago, but the growing pains hit her hard last season. Missing out on the Sochi team was certainly devastating for her, but she appears locked and loaded to make a comeback. She swept the senior B events earlier this season, winning Nebelhorn, Finlandia, and Coup de Nice. This could be her year to go for a world title.

Gracie Gold (USA) has everything needed to be a perennial world medalist, and certainly the drive, but we question whether she can put everything together in the same competition. Her Phantom of the Opera program choice is a red flag for me, because I question if she has the musicality to really sell that grandiose music. If she tells us one time that she "watched the movie" for inspiration, I'm going to vomit. She generally peaks later in the season, so while I think she will have a strong competition, I think she will make one more mistake than Liza and take the silver. She finished a strong 4th at the Sochi games and is poised to remain at the top of the field for the next Olympic cycle.

Elena Radionova (RUS) was the surprise of the senior ISU circuit, but was not eligible for the Olympics. She's been known for her technical work, not her artistry, and I think that will hurt her against Gold and Tuktamysheva. Don't be surprised if you see a drop off from last season, as we did with Liza last year, but she will still be competitive.

The Rest of the Field
Brooklee Han (AUS)-14th at 2014 Four Continents, 20th at 2014 Olympics, 19th at 2014 Worlds, 6th at 2014 US Classic, 4th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy
Mae Beranice Meite (FRA)-5th at 2014 Europeans, 10th at 2014 Olympics, 15th at 2014 Worlds
Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)-10th at 2014 Europeans, 19th at 2014 Olympics
Haruka Imai-4th at 2014 Four Continents
So Youn Park (KOR)-9th at 2014 Four Continents, 21st at 2014 Olympics, 9th at 2014 Worlds, 3rd at 2014 Asian Open
Natalia Popova (UKR)-23rd at 2014 Europeans, 28th at 2014 Olympics, 21st at 2014 Worlds, 4th at 2014 Coup de Nice
Samantha Cesario (USA)- 8th at 2014 Four Continents, 2nd at 2014 Finlandia Trophy
Mirai Nagasu (USA)-4th at 2010 Olympics, 10th at 2014 Four Continents, 5th at 2014 US Classic

2013 Skate America: Ladies Preview

We won't see the Ladies until Saturday (10/19) at 1:30pm EST for their short program and then on Sunday (10/20) at 4:15pm EST for their free. This Ladies field is all over the place, and while there are about 3 clear cut favorites, anything could happen.

Mao Asada (JPN) is my personal favorite for the Olympic Gold Medal this season, but I'm not sure how much of that is from my heart and how much is from my head. Regardless, let's start with her. After all the changes of coaches and jump technique shenanigans, she finally seems settled. Her World medal last season proved that. She was bested by Yuna, yet again, but Yuna is injured which could give Mao the space she needs to pass by. Starting off well here will be important for Mao's confidence and luckily, she only has two major competitors to work against. She is returning to her classical roots for both programs (Chopin & Rachmaninov) and though I loved her spunky short last season, classic Mao is best suited for the big song and dance of the Olympic season.

Ashley Wagner (USA) is our best hope for an Olympic medal this season, but she won't do it without

the triple-triple. She did it at the Japan Open and she needs to do it here, at least attempt it, or I don't think it will happen all season. She won Skate America last year so she has nothing to prove in terms of winning the event. I would rather she try the triple-triple, fall, and not win the event, rather than skipping it to play it safe. Grand Prix titles are great, but we only really remember Olympic medalists. Julia Sebestyen, anybody? Give us that sexy Romeo & Juliet and give us that 3-3 combo and we will all be thrilled to death!

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) is a tale of two skaters. She blew us away her first year on the GP circuit with her jumps and her Slutskaya-fierce dramatics, but last year she fizzled out. Which skater is she? How is the Plushenko circus affecting her? Will she even make that Olympic team? There are so many questions surrounding this skater, and hopefully we will get some answers this week.






Elena Radionova (RUS) is the 2013 version of the 2011 Tuktamysheva.

She is the next best thing in a long line of "next best thing" Russian figure skaters. She is the reigning Junior World Champ and she's knocking at the door of the other Russian ladies. She's a teeny tiny peanut with great jumps until I see otherwise, but in a field of head cases, she could win out.

Samantha Cesario (USA) is one of my new favorites because she is a diva. She has a swagger and she knows it. She's not afraid of how she comes across and that is exciting for US Figure Skating. She has that pizzazz that we've been lacking and I'm so interested to see how she will do in the National spotlight. This could go either way.






Podium Predictions:
Gold: Mao Asada (JPN)
Silver: Ashley Wagner (USA)
Bronze: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)

The Rest of the Field:
Mae Berenice Meite (FRA)
Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
Elena Radionova (RUS)
Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
Samantha Cesario (USA)
Caroline Zhang (USA)

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: 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

Skaters to Watch: Skate Canada Edition

Patrick Chan (CAN)-2011 Canadian Nationals Free Skate





Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)-2011 Four Continents Short Program





Mirai Nagasu (USA)-2010 Trophee Eric Bompard Short Program





Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)-2011 Japan Open Free Skate





Ashley Wagner (USA)-2011 Glacier Falls Classic Short Program





Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS)-2011 Worlds Short Program





Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)-2011 JGP Austria Free Skate





Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)-2011 Worlds Short Dance









Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)-2011 Worlds Short Dance

2011 Skate Canada: Ladies Preview

This is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields of the season and I for one am still quite uncertain of my podium picks. This ladies event is a mixture of experienced skaters still trying to make a splash internationally and up-and-comers looking to make their mark early. The ladies short program is the kick-off event for Skate Canada at 2:05pm EST on Friday October 28th. They finish up with their free skate on Saturday October 29th at 12:15pm. I'll be blogging sporadically and tweeting and re-tweeting as much as I possibly can.

Against my better judgement, I'm going going to say that Mirai Nagasu (USA) has finally conquered her demons and will proudly stand atop the Grand Prix podium. She normally struggles in her first event of the season, but this year she started at Nebelhorn Trophy and pulled out a win, so let's hope she's worked out the jitters. She'll be chased closely but Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS), one of the Russian babies. She is making her senior Grand Prix debut, but already has in impressive resume behind her and has seemed un-phased by the international spotlight thus far. Look for her to come out guns ablaze with triple-triple combinations. Ashley Wagner (USA) has always played second fiddle to the top US ladies but after a coaching change to John Nicks and a coastal changed, she seems poised to take her career to the next level. I spoke to her in person a few weeks ago and said that she is tired of being the "almost girl" and wants to get to move up the podium and make it to Worlds. Rachael Flatt (USA), once a favorite, has been demoted to dark horse after an injury mishap at Worlds and her current status as a Stanford Engineering student. In recent interviews she's spoken about being exhausted from hours a day in the car and lack of sleep, which is not conducive to maintaining elite status and racking up international medals. Akiko Suzuki (JPN) had a solid 2010 Grand Prix, taking two silvers, but faltered in the final and missed the podium. She again failed to make the podium at Japanese Nationals and was left off the Worlds team. This is a season of redemption for her, and like Alissa Czisny, she'll need to up the technical ante to maintain her position at home and continue on to Worlds. Alena Leonova (RUS) had the best 2011 Worlds finished of this field, 4th, but I'm not convinced that she is in the top tier of ladies yet. She has the technical goods when she hits, but I'm not a fan of her style. This is a critical year for her and she must bring home medals to assert her status as the top Russian lady over the upcoming youngsters. Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN) is another touch-and-go skater as she has moments of brilliance (her 2010 Skate Canada short program) and moments of disaster (the rest of her 2010-2011 season). Normally I'd call her a threat to medal, but given her history, I think this field is just too deep.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
2) Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)
3) Ashley Wagner (USA)

Competitive History:

Adriana DeSanctis (CAN)-14th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 8th 2003 Junior SBC CUP, 8th 2002 JGP Final

Rachael Flatt (USA)-12th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 6th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 182.49 at 2010 Winter Olympics


Sarah Hecken (GER)-6th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 11th 2011 Worlds, 11th 2011 Europeans, 2nd 2010 NRW Trophy, 10th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 3rd 2010 Ice Challenge; PB: 155.83 at 2011 Worlds


Amelie Lacoste (CAN)-16th 2011 Worlds, 9th 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 Skate Canada; BP: 156.26 at 2010 Skate Canada

Alena Leonova (RUS)-4th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Europeans, 9th 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 3rd 2010 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 183.92 at 2011 Worlds 


Mirai Nagasu (USA)-1st 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 3rd 2011 Four Continents, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 190.15 at 2010 Winter Olympics

Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN)-13th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Four Continents, 4th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 177.54 at 2010 Worlds 


Akiko Suzuki (JPN)-7th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Triglav Trophy, 5th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Cup of China; PB: 181.44 at 2010 Winter Olympics

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva (RUS)-2nd 2011 World Junior Championships, 1st 2010 Junior Coup de Nice, 2nd 2010 Junior Grand Prix Final, 1st JGP Romania, 1st JGP Germany; PB: 172.78 at 2010 JGP Germany 

Ashley Wagner (USA)-3rd 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 5th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 167.02 at 2010 Rostelecom Cup

2011 ISU World Junior Championships: Ladies Short Program Videos

Adelina Sotnikova of Russia is 1st after the short program with a score of 59.51



Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia in 2nd after the short program with a score of 58.60



Polina Shelepen of Russia in 4th place after the short program with a score of 56.58



Agnes Zawadzki of the USA in 5th place after the short program with a score of 53.17



Miyabi Oba of Japan in 6th place after the short program with a score of 51.82



Risa Shoji of Japan in 7th place after the short program with a score of 51.49



Courtney Hicks of the USA in 10th place after the short program with a score of 49.98



Yuki Nishino of Japan in 11th place after the short program with a score of 46.09