ISU Grand Prix: Rostelecom Cup Pairs Short Program

1) Katarina Gerboldt & Alexander Enbert (Russia) **
   Music: Waltz Medley by Liberace

• Oh Hey Tamara Moskvina
• This is a new team in their first season together
• The jumps were landed cleanly, but not quite in unison
• That was a terribly low catch on the split twist, she landed draped over his shoulder
• I like this piece of music a lot
• Her free leg was a high  wrap on the throw, but cleanly landed
• Nice unison on the spins until the last few revolutions
• They definitely look like a Moskvina team
• He almost lost her in that over head lift, she was terribly crooked but they held onto it
• A major loss of speed on this footwork
• They are young and inexperienced but have the makings of a great pair team
• I dont love how they did their final pose at the end of the ice
• She's having a bit of a thong situation with her costume
• SP Score: 29.62 (TES) + 24.00 (PCS) = 53.62
• **TES stands for Technical Elements Score, PCS stands for Program Components Score

2) Britney Simpson & Nathan Miller (USA)
   Music: Pink Panther

• They are using the same music as Savchenko/Szolkowy, thats a lot to live up to
• Wow Britney is only 14
• I think age pairings are the major issue with US pair teams; he is 8 years older than her at 22 so there is no way they can last the same length of time in their careers; almost all of our pair teams in the US have this issue
• Clean side by sides, slight loss of unison
• Crash landing on split twist
• She definitely squeaked out a landing on that throw
• Their spins looked very clean to me
• I like the foot  work but would love to see more speed
• Overhead lift was decent, but exit needs work
• I didn't love her bent leg position on the death spiral
• SP Score: 26.97 (TES) + 23.37 (PCS) = 50.28

3) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (Canada) **
   Music: City Slickers

•  They took a side by side fall on their side by side jumps in the warm up so lets see how they do
• They were wonderful at Skate Canada and they are on my fantasy team so lets see if they can match it here
• That was a pretty clean landing on the split twist
• I love their speed and flow across the ice
• Paige falls on the side by side and Rudi puts a hand down and two foots; should only be a one point deduction, but still its a tough break in momentum
• I'm really loving this musical selection
• Their lift hits nice positions, but lacks in speed
• I like that they really tell a story with their program and it is a complete experience rather than  just a program
• That throw was very solid and right at the end of the program too
• I would have liked to have seen better from them, but I've learned to not get too upset after the short as anything can happen in the long
• SP Score: 28.73 (TES) + 24.94 (PCS) - 2.00 (deduction) = 51.67

4) Tatiana Novik & Mikhail Kuznetsov (Russia) **
   Music: Somewhere in Time

• This team is on  my fantasy team so lets hope they are solid here
• This is a gorgeous selection of music
• That was a fairly clean catch on the split twist
• She had that jump and then she just sat down out of it
• My pairs aren't doing so hot here now are they
• She lands the throw, but with little height or rotational speed
• I love their overhead lift
• They have a nice lyrical quality, and I can tell that is what they are going for, but I would like more energy and passion from them
• I think they could benefit from Tamara Moskvina, they are missing that signature Russian quality
• Their spins look very solid, good job on the camera angle here icenetwork
• They also ended at the end of the ice in their final pose which I find odd
• He has the Plushenko haircut
• SP Score: 22.60 (TES) + 23.88 (PCS) - 1.00 (deduction) = 45.48

**Group 2 six minute warm up**


5) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (Italy)
   Music: Invierno Porteno

• I believe this is Takahshi's free skate music?
• I specifically remember saying that the only Spanish programs I can handle this season are Davis/White and Takahashi, the rest I cannot deal with
• Clean side by sides to open
• Speed is always difficult to see on tv, but I can tell they are going very fast
• I always wonder what pair coaches do to teach their teams to spin in unison
• I also wonder if they are counting the revolutions in their head or if they just know
• She does that ass-out entrance on the death spiral, which we all know I hate
• I have a lot of pet peeves, and unfortunately most of them have to do with pairs
• That throw had no height on it and she put a hand down to save it
• For such dynamic music, that program really did not do much for me
• SP Score: 25.84 (TES) + 23.94 (PCS) = 49.78

6) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)
   Music: The Mask of Zorro

• I always find these movie soundtrack short programs a little hard to take because its hard to develop character and tell a story in 2 and a half minutes
• That was a clean catch on the split twist
• Clean side by sides
• If they can land their throw cleanly, they'll be safely in medal contention as the rest of the teams have struggled
• Throw was clean!
• They look like a world class pair team right now
• I wish they could have peaked a little younger because at 26 and 30, they have maybe one or two seasons left at best
• I say they go into first after this program
• Now that is a lovely death spiral with a nice entrance and a beautiful position
• Their lifts are some of the best in the world
• Now that is what I call a clean, solid short program
• I'm so proud of them, what a stellar short
• SP Score: 27.38 (TES) + 25.20 (PCS) = 52.58

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (Japan)
   Music: Feeling Good

• Is she related to Dice-K??
• This team is an anomaly to me because normally you don't think of Japan as being strong in pairs, but they are pretty solid
• Wow the height on that split twist was crazy
• These spins are very fast
• Japan would be smart to focus on building a pairs program because they have such strong singles skaters and there is no way they can all compete on the world level
• That lift is very strong with the change of positions and the speed
• This may put them in first although I am clearly not understanding the judging because I thought Evora/Ladwig should have gone into first (but we are in Russia afterall) ; I'll have to look at the protocol sheets later
• She is just ecstatic after this performance; so fun to watch!
• SP Score: 29.70 (TES) + 26.20 (PCS) = 55.90

8) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (Russia) **
   Music: Thus Spoke Zarathustra

• Here we go, the team that could have been that never really was
• At 28/26, they are probably about done
• She almost loses it on the side by side
• This is one of the few pair teams where I prefer to watch the man perform
• She barely held onto the landing of the throw
• Good height on the split twist
• She does the ass-out death spiral entrance and then her head almost hits the ground
• Good unison on the spins, but they aren't very fast
• She almost kicked him in the face with her head on the overhead lift
• Those pockets or ruffles or whatever on the side of his pants are really really awkward
• He has the same hair as Donald Trump Jr
• They should go into first, although in my opinion, Evora/Ladwig were the hit of this event
• SP Score: 32.49 (TES) + 29.42 (PCS) = 61.91
• This lead is not nearly as overwhelming as I expected, they left room for others to eclipse them in the free skate tomorrow
  

Current Leaderboard:
Kavaguti/Smirnov (Russia)          61.91
Takahshi/Tran (Japan)                55.90
Gerboldt/Enbert (Russia)             53.62 
Evora/Ladwig (USA)                    52.58
Lawrence/Swiegers (Canada)     51.67
Simpson/Miller (USA)                  50.28
Berton/Hotarek (Italy)                  49.78
Novik/Kuznetsov (Russia)            45.48

ISU Grand Prix: Rostelecome Cup Ladies Short Program

10:49 We are live in Moscow for the Rostelecom Cup Ladies Short Program; besides the obvious top choices, Agnes Zawadzki is the one to watch, at least in my opinion
10:55 We are just about to begin with the first group preparing to take the ice for warm up
10:58 Introduction of the judges, lets hope they are unbiased and fair
11:00 Get it Agnes!!
11:03 I love Myriane's Costume so much! Who is this coach in the fur vest? Is that Viktoria Volchkova? I'm guessing she coaches Sofia Biryukova. There is a sign with a huge picture of Miki Ando on it!
11:04 This is about the loudest group of costumes I've seen in a while; get ready for Alena Leonova's in the second group
11:06 Agnes is spending a lot of time over by the boards and doesn't seem to be warming up much, that is an interesting choice, but that girl definitely knows what she is doing.

1) Sofia Biryukova (Russia) **
   Music: Tosca

• I haven't seen this skater yet and she is on my fantasy team so I'm excited
• Volchkova is indeed her coach, this gal is only 16
• Based on music and performance quality alone, I can already tell she has that signature Russian qualilty
• Very strong opening triple-triple
• Solo triple jump is also very strong
• ***I need to practice my jump identification so I can call them by name
• Solid double axel and she is safely through all of her jumps, not only were they clean, but looked fully rotated and were performed well
• I hate to say this so soon, but Russia is looking to rebuild for Sochi and this girl may be the future
• At 16, she will be 19 or 20 in 2014 for Sochi, which seems to be the perfect championship age these days
• I don't love Tosca for a short program, it has too much of a build and I think it is better for a free skate
• Volchkova has done a nice job with her; she was actually one of the last strong ladies competitors that Russia had along with Slutskaya and Butyrskaya
• SP Score: 30.70 (TES) + 24.29 (PCS) = 54.99
• **TES stands for Technical Elements Score, PCS stands for Program Components Score

2) Agnes Zawadzki (USA) **
   Music: Gopher Mambo

• Get it Agnes!
• Lets hope my Fantasy team B girl will be as good as my Fantasy C girl just was
• Very tilted in the air on opening, but landed and turned it into a solid triple-triple
• The solo jump was a little wonky on the landing, but she saved it, not sure if it was fully rotated or not
• She seems to be skating slowly and doesn't have the fire she had at Skate Canada
• Solid double axel, but not a lot of height, something about the fast rotation and long edge out of that jump reminded me of Michelle Kwan, wow doesn't that take you back
• Coach Tom Z looks like a proud Papa
• PS I love her hair
• SP Score: 32.03 (TES) + 24.81 (PCS) = 56.84
• If her components can come up, she is going to be the girl to beat in the next few seasons

3) Myriane Samson (Canada) **
   Music: The Postman

• I really love this costume, it has sparkle but it is also very elegant
• This music is very subdued and elegant, a very Parisian sound, suits her well
• Opening triple-double seems to be landed cleanly
• Double axel is also solid and has a nice flow out of it
• Final jump is clean 
• The first three ladies made a great start to the ladies short program
• I think she lacks Agnes' fire so I doubt she will pass her, plus her combination was only a triple-double
• SP Score: 28.66 (TES) + 24.60 (PCS) = 53.26

4) Elena Glebova (Estonia)
   Music: Sex and the City

• I love the music choice, totally going out on a limb
• Combination was all kinds of sloppy
• Solo jump was clean
• I don't like this costume, but I get where she was going with the musical connection
• I missed the opening, but will catch up on the instant replay
• Nice double axel, but traveling on the spins
• She looks unstable on her footwork
• This choreography I could do without
• The ending of the music works really well for a spin sequence, but she ended slightly after the music
• SP Score: 23.04 (TES) + 22.74 (PCS) = 45.78

5) Valentina Marchei (Italy)
   Music: Requiem for a Dream

• I would be fine if I never heard this music again, its too heavy for a short program but too driving and repetitive for a free skate
• Triple-double combination was clean, but the GOE will not be high
• Her spins are fast, but I don't love the positions she hits
• She does really attack this footwork though
• There's Nikolai Morozov with Miki in her pleather; he always looks so slimy to me
• SP Score: 28.44 (TES) + 25.17 (PCS) = 53.61

**Group 2 six minute warm up**

• Akiko looks calm out there 
• Ashley is wearing a very simple costume
• And then there is Leonova in the loudest thing this side of Rio
• Ksenia really impressed me at Skate Canada so we'll see if she can come through again

6) Ashley Wagner (USA)
   Music: Once Upon a Time in America

• Ashley looks fast and strong to start
• Triple-triple landed, second jump may have been two-footed
• She has a fire in here eyes out there
• Solo triple may have been two-footed also, I couldn't tell from my camera angle
• This costume may be a bit too simple for the ice, but it may also be an interim costume while another is being made for the rest of the season
• I am really enjoying this choreography
• Her coach Priscilla Hill has her hands full as we saw last week at Skate America's Men's event
• Nice Ina Bauer into the double axel, I would have like to see her maintain her speed from the Ina Bauer right into the jump
• That was a very strong showing for Ashley who doesn't consider herself to be strong in the short program
• I'm very happy with this Cup of Russia so far, the camera work is solid, the replays are done quickly, and we aren't waiting terribly long for scores
• SP Score: 30.23 (TES) + 25.94 (PCS) = 56.17

7) Ksenia Makarova (Russia) **
   Music: Flamenco

• This young lady is carrying all of Russia on her shoulders, I do not envy her
• She was so strong at Skate Canada
• Stumbled out of her first jump, not sure if it was fully rotated or not
• Triple-double combination was solid, but other ladies did triple-triples
• Double axel was solid, but she doesn't get the height of some of the other ladies
• She doesn't have the extension of some other ladies in her front leg catch spin
• I know I am being critical, but Russia is expecting her to be their future and after seeing her at Skate Canada, I know she has the goods
• I think the pop on the first jump was just nerves and the pressure of skating at home
• Ksenia is coached by Team Weir and he is obsessed with her
• SP Score: 26.54 (TES) + 26.39 (PCS) = 52.93
• Marks seemed low and put her in 6th; however, the ladies are very bunched up and only about 4 points separates first from seventh right now
  

8) Alena Leonova (Russia)
   Music: Polka/La Strada

• This costume I cannot even handle
• Tough fall on the first jump, she lacked speed and I don't think she was fully rotated either
• Popped the first jump of the combo
• I do believe she was the first lady to fall in this short program, which speaks to how solid they all were
• Double axel was clean
• She looks very wobbly out there, spins are traveling and she just doesn't look like she was over her legs
• SP Score: 21.98 (TES) + 25.63 (PCS) - 1.00 (deduction) = 46.61

9) Miki Ando (Japan) **
   Music: Broken Sorrow/Egyptian in the Night

• Miki is only 22, but I feel like she has been around forever
• I hear she may add the quad back later this season
• Opening jumps are clean, but lack polish on the landing, in my opinion
• She is attacking this footwork more than Miki usually attacks anything
• My live feed got stuck there for a minute at the beginning of her program, did she do a jump combination?
• She looks a little bit all over the place in the foot work
• I don't love this short program, its kind of boring to me
• She doesn't look happy, but Nikolai does
• She actually looks really emotional
• The pleather and the gloves are totally unnecessary in my opinion
• SP Score: 27.03 (TES) + 26.97 (PCS) = 54.00
• Yes she is in 4th, but she is always so consistent in the free skate when many are not and she can easily regain the less that 3 points that she is out of 1st

10) Akiko Suzuki (Japan)
   Music: Tango Jalousie

• Akiko has a lot of speed and she has so much more personality than Miki does
• I didn't have a lot of commentary, but I love Akiko so thats all I can really say about her
• I think she'll jump into first here, but I doubt she'll pass Agnes by much
• SP Score: 30.13 (TES) + 27.30 (PCS) = 57.43

Current Leaderboard:
Akiko Suzuki (Japan)                                     57.43

Agnes Zawadzki (USA)                                   56.84 

Ashley Wagner (USA)                                     56.17
Sofia Biryukova (Russia)                                54.99 
Miki Ando (Japan)                                          54.00
Valentina Marchei (Italy)                                53.61

Myriane Samson (Canada)                             53.26 

Ksenia Makarova (Russia)                              52.93 

Alena Leonova (Russia)                                 46.61
Elena Glevova (Estonia)                                 45.78

ISU Grand Prix: Rostelecom Cup Mens Short Program

1) Ivan Tretiakov (Russia)
   Music: Valse Trise

• His jumps seem like he is landing them a little low to the ground and lack height
• Overall it was a clean skate, but not an inspired skate
• He seemed to lack confidence while he was skating and if he can work on that, it will drastically improve his skating
• SP Score: 36.43 (TES) + 29.18 (PCS) = 65.61
• **TES stands for Technical Elements Score, PCS stands for Program Components Score

2) Konstantin Menshov (Russia)
   Music: Silver Guitar

• This is a theatrical skater
• Amazing height on his opening jump
• The second jump, the combination, is equally as high
• He doubled the third jump and seemed to two-foot it; looked like he rushed the timing on the takeoff
• SP Score: 36.27 (TES) + 31.07 (PCS) = 67.34

3) Anton Kovalevski (Ukraine) **
   Music: Stop Time Rag

• Here comes my fantasy skating group C pick whom I've never seem skate, lets see what he can do
• He really lacked speed going into jump number one and fell on it
• Two-footed the second jump of the combination
• Even his clean landings look really low
• I think this may be a case of the nerves
• Overall this is going to be a disappointing short for him; lets hope he can clean it up in the long
• SP Score: 31.01 (TES) + 30.04 (PCS) -1.00 (deduction)= 60.05

4) Tatsuki Machida (Japan)
   Music: Dark Eyes

• Wow he almost fell onto his face on that triple axel
• The second jump of the combination looked under-rotated
• Hand down on the third jump
• He has a lot of intensity in this footwork
• Normally women perform this music but he managed to do it without making it look too feminine
• Wow those stands are empty for this event
• SP Score: 26.76 (TES) + 30.61 (PCS) - 1.00 (deduction)= 56.37

5) Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)
   Music: White Legend

• 
  
• SP Score: 37.86 (TES) + 32.38 (PCS) = 70.24

6) Javier Fernandez (Spain) **
   Music: Histoire d un amor

• SP Score: 34.07 (TES) + 32.39 (PCS) = 66.46

**Group 2 six minute warm up**


7) Artur Gachinski (Russia)
   Music: Selections by Pink Floyd

• Mini Plushenko
• That opening quad was very solid
• He definitely has Plushenko's confidence and flair
• SP Score: 38.95 (TES) + 33.46 (PCS) = 72.41

8) Alban Preaubert (France) **
   Music: Turtle Shoes

• A very strong triple axel
• He has a quad in his arsenal but we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the long program to see if he tries it
• SP Score: 36.21 (TES) + 34.29 (PCS) = 70.50

9) Samuel Contesti (Italy)
   Music: Hungarian March

• SP Score: 31.12 (TES) + 34.57 (PCS) =65.69

10) Tomas Verner (Czech Republic)
   Music: Singing In The Rain

• 
  
• SP Score: 36.95 (TES) + 37.15 (PCS) = 74.10

11) Jeremy Abbott (USA)
   Music: Viejos Aires

• He is on in this short program!
• Very strong and very clean
• He was totally in command of that program today
• I loved his presence on the ice and his footwork sequence especially
• I think Yuka Sato's choice to have him play characters was very effective
• SP Score: 39.07 (TES) + 38.54 (PCS) = 77.61

12) Patrick Chan (Canada) **
   Music: Take Five

• Well here comes Patrick Chan, the question with him is always, will he or will he not implode
• He is so young, and has so much talent for his age
• Opening jump pass looks very solid
• And then a fall on the triple axel, really Patrick?
• When Patrick falls, he falls hard too
• I thought Abbott was more committed to the performance
• The question is, where does this put Patrick in the standings?
• Don't count him out yet, as per Skate Canada, we know he can come from behind
• Nevermind coming from behind, Patrick is leading
• His components are always so high, and I'm guessing the 3A was fully  rotated before he fell
• SP Score: 42.54 (TES) + 40.42 (PCS) - 1.00 (deduction) = 81.96

Current Leaderboard:

1) Chan (Canada)                    81.96

2) Abbott (USA)                        77.61
3) Verner (CZE)                        74.10
4) Gachinski (Russia)               72.41

5) Preaubert (France)              70.50

6) Hanyu (Japan)                     70.24
7) Menshov (Russia)                 67.34

8) Fernandez (Spain)               66.46

9) Contesti (Italy)                      65.69
10) Tretiakov (Russia)              65.61

11) Kovalevski (Ukraine)          60.05

12) Machida (Japan)                 56.37

Favorite Figure Skating Memories: #5 Alexei Yagudin Wins Olympic Gold

Notice a theme? Many of my favorite skating memories were from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and the mens final was no exception. Alexei Yagudin of Russia gave a memorable performance in a win over his countryman and rival Evgeni Plushenko. His program to the music from The Man in the Iron Mask was a perfect combination of athleticism and artistry. He included a quad toe loop and a quad toe loop combination, but his jumping ability did not detract from his performance quality as it does with many other skaters. My favorite element of this program is the footwork which was almost ahead of its time. We see incredible footwork from a lot of skaters these days, but in 2002 under the old 6.0 judging system, footwork like this was rare. 

My Most Memorable Theatre Experiences: #4 HAIR

For five weeks straight in the summer of 2009 I played the ticket lottery for the Broadway revival of Hair almost everyday. It seemed that I would never win the ticket lottery, oddly enough I rarely lose Broadway ticket lotteries, so I heard about the standing room tickets and decided to go that route. Now I would never recommend standing for a Broadway show because I feel that it takes you out of the performance but for this show, it does the exact opposite. Because the cast members, or the tribe, frequently enter the audience and perform in the aisles, I felt like I was truly part of the performance. As I stood behind the last row of the orchestra, Alison Case (Crissy) gave me a flower and an invitation to a "be-in," Will Swenson (Berger) dove over me to get to the last row of the orchestra, and Darius Nichols (Hud) picked me up and carried me around when he made his Act II entrance.

I really didn't know what to expect when I saw the show for the first time, even though I had heard nothing but positive reactions and I really enjoyed the TONY awards performance. Because Hair is more of a concept musical than a traditional plot-driven show, I must admit that I had a bit of trouble following the story the first time I saw the show and it did not strike me the way I expected it would as I could not find a way to relate to the 1960s characters. Nevertheless I had a great time and loved the energy of the performance, especially when I got to go onstage during the finale dance party.

In the days following the performance, I could not get Hair out of my head and could not stop listening to the soundtrack. Then it hit me that Hair was not just about the 1960s, but rather it was about the power that young people can have when they are united as one. I have never really considered myself an activist but the message of this show, "Letting the Sun Shine In" seemed to relate so closely to many of the issues facing our nation today and I felt so compelled to do something with the passion I felt for this show.

The second time I saw the show on Broadway I was completely invested in everything the cast was doing and the composers were trying to say and I really "got it". When Gavin Creel, Hair's original Claude, began to promote the national march for equality in Washington DC within the Broadway community, I knew I had to be there. Going to the march on the national mall on October 11th, 2009 with all of my theatre friends was one of the most elating experiences of my entire life and it was on that day that I learned what it really meant to "Let the Sun Shine In".

During this time I was also working on my own creative project as a tribute to the youth movement portrayed so artfully in Hair. I was inspired to choreograph Levitating The Pentagon based on my research of the youth culture of the 1960s. While my piece was not meant to be a direct representation of what I saw and felt from Hair, I wanted to capture the show's community and self-empowerment themes in a different medium: postmodern dance.


I saw the Broadway production of Hair for a third time in May of this year with a new cast that was so much different than the original tribe while still maintaining the youthful energy and feeling of community. I was so happy to be back in the Al Hirschfeld theatre where I had been so inspired six months earlier, not only to create my own art, but to join a social movement. Seeing Hair with two friends who were new to the show was a particularly special experience as I again realized how magical this piece of art really is.

The Broadway production played its final performance on Sunday June 27th, 2010. While I, along with thousands of others, was so sad to see it go, I know that as this production embarks on its national tour it will continue to inspire new generations of starshines to become the change they want to see in their own world, whether that is in regard to politics, the environment, equality, or any other issue that they feel passion for. It began in Washington, DC on October 26th, 2011 and continues to spread love to all who are willing to receive it.

When the original production of Hair premiered on Broadway in April of 1968, it was revolutionary and when this revival opened in March of 2009, it compelled an entirely new generation of hippies to stand up for their beliefs the same way that their grandparents did in the 1960s. So I would like to thank James Rado, Gerome Ragni, and Galt MacDermot for having the courage to write a musical that challenged the status quo and Joe Papp and the Public Theatre for believing that theatre could inspire social change. You have taught us all that our differences make us beautiful and that we all possess, within ourselves, the power to change the world around us.

Comment for your chance to win a free pair of tickets to Broadway's FELA!

FELA!, the most critically acclaimed new musical of the season, has received three Tony Awards^®: Best Choreography, Best Costume Design for a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical!

Now featuring Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording artist Patti LaBelle!

His story inspired a nation. His music inspires the world. FELA! tells the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. Motivated by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.
FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones.

FELA! is currently playing at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on W. 49th st through January 2nd. Here is your chance to win a free pair of tickets to this Broadway hit! Just post your answer to the following trivia question in the comments section below and also include your email address so I can contact the winner. I will be accepting answers until next Wednesday, November 24th at 3pm so the winner will have a lovely Thanksgiving present!

Bill T. Jones, Tony winning choreographer of FELA! also won a Tony award for choreographing which other hit Broadway musical?

ISU Grand Prix: Rostelecom Cup Preview

Next weekend, November 19-20 to be exact, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating makes its 5th of 6 stops in Moscow for what was formerly known as the Cup of Russia. Many skaters have already completed their two assigned Grand Prix events and are anxiously awaiting the results of the last events to see who will qualify for the Grand Prix Final in December.

Patrick Chan, who won Skate Canada despite 4 total falls, is arguably the favorite here. His Phantasia program is wonderful and he usually racks up very high components scores. Jeremy Abbott is also a forced to be reckoned with if he can overcome some of his inconsistencies with the mental side of the sport. I really enjoyed Javier Fernandez' free skate at Skate Canada so I will be looking forward to another solid performance from him again. Tomas Verner and Samuel Contesti also have the potential to make the podium if they can skate clean.

Miki Ando is definitely the most consistent of the ladies field here, and based on the past grand prix events, the lady who can stay on her feet wins the gold. There are a lot of women in this field who, in my opinion, are more talented and much more artistic than Miki, particularly Akiko Suzuki and Ashley Wagner, but they are hit or miss in terms of landing jumps and skating clean. I have never been a fan of Ksenia Makarova but she made a splash with silver at Skate Canada and will have the home crowd behind her here, though that may help her or hurt her. I am a big fan of young American Agnes Zawadzki and while she had a disappointing free skate at Skate Canada, I think she is really going to make a big jump here and reach the Podium.

Pairs is pretty wide open here with only one team considered to be among the world's best, Kavaguti & Smirnov, though they are coming off of a disappointing 2010 Olympic season and this is their only Grand Prix event. I really have no clue what is going to happen here in pairs so my fantasy picks are going to be pretty blind. I do, however, look for Takahashi & Tran to make a fairly strong showing. The American team of Evora & Ladwig has some of the best elements in the world and if they can put together two clean programs, they have a good shot at the podium. Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers were also pretty solid at Skate Canada so let's see if they can repeat that here.

After disappointing falls in both of their programs at Cup of China and a 20 point loss to Pechalat & Bourzat, I expect Faiella & Scali to come back with a vengeance and win the ice dance competition here. One of their falls was due to a costume malfunction that they have hopefully corrected and with more practice time under their belt, I expect their free skate to be electrifying. Bobrova & Soliev of Russia also put up two strong programs to win silver at Cup of China so they'll look to make the podium again on their home turf. The young Canadians Paul & Islam blew me away at Skate Canada and people are already calling them the younger versions of Virtue & Moir. Madison and Keiffer Hubbell of the USA also have the potential to make the podium if they can avoid some of the mistakes they made at Cup of China. I really enjoy their free skate this season and hope to see them skate it clean.

Here is the icenetwork.com live streaming schedule; the events I plan to live-blog are highlighted below:

Friday, Nov. 19
7:00 a.m.: Men's short program
8:50 a.m.: Pairs short program
11:00 a.m.: Ladies short program
12:50 p.m.: Short dance
Saturday, Nov. 20
6:45 a.m.: Men's free skate
9:00 a.m.: Pairs free skate
10:40 a.m.: Ladies free skate
12:40 p.m.: Free dance

Fantasy Update:
Overall Ranking     58          65
Overall Points       7756     7744

As soon as usfsa.org opens up the week 5 fantasy competition, I will post my picks as well as Skategate's

**BackStage Barbie  **Skategate  **Shared Picks

Men:

1) Patrick Chan (Canada)

2) Tomas Verner (Czech Republic)

3) Alban Preaubert (France)

4) Samuel Contesti (Italy)
5) Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)
6) Tatsuki Machida (Japan)
7) Artem Borodulin (Russia)
8) Artur Gachinski (Russia)
9) Konstanti Menshov (Russia)
10) Javier Fernandez (Spain)
11) Anton Kovalevski (Ukraine)
12) Jeremy Abbott (USA)

Ladies:

1) Myriane Samson (Canada)

2) Elena Glebova (Estonia)
3) Valentina Marchei (Italy)

4) Miki Ando (Japan)

5) Akiko Suzuki (Japan)
6) Sofia Biryukova (Russia)
7) Alena Leonova (Russia)

8) Ksenia Makarova (Russia)

9) Ashley Wagner (USA)
10) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
Pairs:

1) Lawrence/Swiegers (Canada)

2) Berton/Hotarek (Italy)
3) Takahshi/Tran (Japan)

4) Gerboldt/Enbert (Russia)

5) Kavaguti/Smirnov (Russia)
6) Novik/Kuznetsov (Russia)

7) Evora/Ladwig (USA)
8) Simpson/Miller (USA)

Ice Dance:

1) Paul/Islam (Canada)

2) Mysliveckova/Novak (Czech Repulic)
3) Hoffman/Zavozin (Hungary)

4) Faiella/Scali (Italy)

5) Bobrova/Soloviev (Russia)
6) Gorshkova/Butikov (Russia)
7) Ilinykh/Satsalapov (Russia)

8) Hubbell/Hubbell (USA)