The final three events of the Grand Prix season are about to unfold, and no doubt everyone is feeling the pressure. The last half of the Series should be exciting with the world’s best going all out to earn one of the coveted berths at the Grand Prix Final in Beijing, China (Dec. 9-12).
Skate America
The fourth stop of the Series will play out in Portland, Ore. (Nov. 12-14).
The men’s event should be sizzling with Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi, teammate Nobunari Oda and America’s Adam Rippon all set to take the grand stage. Kazakhstan’s Denis Ten will be gunning for a top result after his inspiring Olympic season. China’s rising star Nan Song, the 2009 Junior Grand Prix and 2010 World junior silver medalist, will make his senior Grand Prix debut in Portland.
Finland’s Laura Lepistö is the highest-ranked skater in the ladies event, but she will have her work cut out for her if she hopes to take the title over an inspired Rachael Flatt of the U.S. and Italy’s Carolina Kostner. It could come down to the wire. Japan’s Kanako Murakami, the reigning World junior champion, could be the dark horse for a medal in this event.
Two-time World pairs champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany are in a class of their own. Who will rise to the challenge for silver and bronze? America’s Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett will be chasing their first Grand Prix medal, as will Canada’s Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch. China’s exciting young team of Wenjing Sui and Cong Han, the 2010 World Junior pairs champions, will also make their senior debut in Portland.
America’s Meryl Davis and Charlie White will dance to the top of the podium, but any one of a number of teams could twizzle into second and third. Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, the reigning Four Continents champions, have set their sights on a berth at the Final, so they will be going all out to achieve that goal.
Rostelecom Cup
Moscow will host the fifth event of the Series (Nov. 19-21).
A battle royale could be waged in the men’s event with Canada’s Patrick Chan and America’s Jeremy Abbott both chasing the title. Look out for a rejuvenated Tomáš Verner from the Czech Republic, who will be aiming high this season. Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, the reigning World junior champion, will also be looking to make his mark at his debut on Russian soil.
Japan’s Miki Ando headlines the ladies event, and though one would think that she should easily skate to gold, look out for America’s Ashley Wagner. After narrowly missing a berth on the 2010 U.S. Olympic team, Wagner is hungry and could be a dangerous competitor this season. Other contenders include Japan’s Akiko Suzuki and Switzerland’s Sarah Meier.
In the pairs event the toughest competition for the reigning World silver medalists Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov from Russia will likely come from the Canadian team of Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison. America’s Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig have a solid shot at capturing a medal at this event.
In the ice dance discipline, Italy’s Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali will go head-to-head with Sinead Kerr and John Kerr from Great Britain. With so many young teams in this field, the bronze is up for grabs.
Trophée Eric Bompard
Paris will be the final stop on the Grand Prix circuit (Nov. 26-28).
Brian Joubert is the top-ranked skater in the men’s event, but he will face stiff competition from some talented rising stars. Michal Březina from the Czech Republic, Frenchman Florent Amodio and Japan’s Takahiko Kozuka will also be looking to excel in Paris. And don’t discount Canada’s Kevin Reynolds, the 2010 Four Continents bronze medalist.
In the women’s field Japan’s Mao Asada will face stiff competition from Mirai Nagasu from the U.S., who will no doubt be hot on her heels. Canada’s Cynthia Phaneuf and Kiira Korpi from Finland will also be chasing a podium finish.
Gold should be a shoo-in for headliners Savchenko and Szolkowy in the pairs event. China’s Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang will be their main competition. Who will claim the bronze is the question mark.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the odds-on favorites to dance to Parisian gold. Nathalie Péchalat and Fabian Bourzat from France are strong contenders for silver. The fight for bronze will be the highlight of this event.
Originally published in December 2010
advertisements
