Just weeks after China won two of the three Olympic medals in the discipline (including gold for Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao), the country's young upstarts are making their play for the top spot on the podium at the 2010 World Junior Championships being held in the Netherlands. The ISU is awarding a global prize pot of $200,000 (U.S.) at the competition with couples placing between first and 12th receiving cash rewards. The top pairs and ice dances will receive $15,000, respectively, to split.
Pairs Short Program
Wenjing Sui and Cong Han have already made for themselves by claiming the gold in the pairs discipline at the 2009-10 Junior Grand Prix Final. The young Chinese pairs team took the lead in The Hague yesterday. Japan’s Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran placed a close second in the short program and Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov ranked third.
Sui and Han train under coach Bo Luan at the Harbin Training Center. They gave an energetic performance to the Russian folk music “Barynia” and scored a season best 60.94 points (36.46/24.48). “Overall we’re quite satisfied with our performance,” Han said, “although in some places it wasn’t our best.”
Sui and Han hit solid side-by-side double Axels and a high double twist. They earned level fours for their death spiral and the pair combination spins. Their only miscue came when Sui put her hand down on the landing of the couple’s throw triple Salchow.
Takahashi and Tran’s expressive Flamenco program earned a season best 59.54 points (36.46/23.08). Their routine was highlighted by a throw triple Salchow and a one-armed lift. They hit double Axels and performed a nice double twist. Their spins were excellent; both sets were graded level fours. The duo placed second at the JGP Final.
“Today was really good,” Tran said. “We had a few wobbles here and there, but we were together in the side-by-side spin, which is better than usual.”
Stolbova and Klimov earned a season best 54.26 points (32.12/22.12), despite their straight line footwork being awarded just a level one. They landed a superb throw triple Salchow, a double twist and double Axels in their routine to Russian folklore.
“We executed all our elements. We did [the] minimum and we didn’t outdo ourselves,” Klimov said. “We are pleased that it was a clean performance and that we got our best score of the season.”
Americans Britney Simpson and Nathan Miller turned in a solid performance to rank fourth in the short program with 52.20 points. Tatiana Novik and Mikhail Kuznetsov (RUS) are currently in fifth place (she fell on a double Axel) with 49.38 points.
Compulsory Dance
Russia’s Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov took the lead in the Westminster Waltz Compulsory Dance followed by Americans Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani ) and Russians Ekaterina Pushkashand Jonathan Guerreiro who are in second and third places, respectively.
Ilinykh and Katsalapov delivered a flowing, confident performance of the Waltz to score a seasons best 37.52 points (20.24 element score/17.28 program component score).
“It is a little unexpected for us to be in the lead, after all, we are not the top-ranked Russian team,” Ilinykh said, referring to the fact that they placed second to Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final and Russian nationals at the junior level. “We’ve worked very hard since the final in December. We worked especially on our technique and physical strength. We did many run-throughs of our programs. We are pleased that we were able to improve the technical side of our skating.”
Shibutani and Shibutani put out a solid Westminster Waltz to score 34.27 points (18.48/15.79). “We’re very happy with our dance, and we really enjoy skating the Westminster. It’s very joyful. We just want to put out strong performances,” Maia Shibutani said. “We think this is a great start to the week and we’re just going to focus on the skating.”
Alex Shibutani said they skated well and had a lot of fun. “We were relaxed,” he added. “The placement is the placement. We still have our goals, how we want to skate, and we’re going to stick to that.”
Pushkash and Guerreiro produced a strong Waltz, showing off their elegant lines. The Russians earned 34.20 points (18.38/15.82). “We showed everything as we can do it in practice, and so we are happy and our coach was pleased as well. We like the Waltz. The flow of the Waltz suits us probably better than sharp movements in other dances,” Pushkash said. “We skated last and we were a bit nervous, but we actually like to skate last. We won’t relax now, as the difference in points between the couples is very small.”
“We are in our first season,” Guerreir added. “We are still gelling as a team, but the Waltz works well for us as we have matching body lines. A quickstep probably would have been a little harder for us.”
ISU Junior Grand Prix Final champions Maria Monko and Kirill Khaliavin (RUS) ranked fourth in this segment of the competition with 34.17 points and Canadians Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam were fifth with 33.32 points. Lorenza Alessandrini and Simone Vaturi (ITA) had the sixth-best score of the evening (32.35 points).
The 2010 World Junior Figure Skating Championships continue Wednesday with the men’s short program and the pairs free skating.
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two weeks. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
Weir Pulls Out of Worlds; Rippon Named to U.S. Team
Johnny Weir has pulled out of the 2010 World Championships, which will be held in Torino, Italy, from March 22-28. Weir placed third at the U.S. Championships and was named to the United States's teams for 2010 Olympic Winter Games and 2010 World Championships. He placed sixth in Vancouver.
Weir will be replaced by two-time (2008-09) World Junior champion Adam Rippon.
Weir’s 2009-10 season included a fourth-place finish at the 2009 Rostelecom Cup, a silver medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy and a bronze medals at the 2009-10 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
"I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support during the recent Olympic Games," Weir said in a writtne statement. "The 2010 Olympics will be a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I feel that I skated two of the best performances of my career, making my coaches, my family and above all- myself very proud. But I would not have been able to skate the way I did without the encouragement of my fans worldwide."
Weir said he was embracing his Olympic memories and has the momentum to move forward, he has decided it "not advantageous" to compete at the World Championships. "After my sixth-place finish in Vancouver, I believe that I must take time to reassess my strategies and goals," Weir said. "While I understand the importance of competition, I feel that a short break at this time would be personally beneficial to me.
"I know all may not share my stance, but I can assure everyone that I will be re-energized after I’ve had time to rework my technique. I want to be a better competitor and win medals for my country and I hope everyone can respect my decision to take this time off.
"Once again, I want to thank everyone who supported me this season. Specifically, I would like to thank my coaches Galina Zmievskaya, Viktor Petrenko, Nina Petrenko, Priscilla Hill and (choreographer) David Wilson for helping me make my Olympic dreams a reality. I would also like to thank my family and friends for their never-ending support. Finally, I want my fans to know that I love them and I work every day to make them proud. I will continue to work hard and I hope my work for next season will be the most exciting of my career."
Weir is a three-time U.S. Champion. He claimed the bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships. During the 2008-09 season, he placed fifth at nationals and did not make the U.S. World team in 2009.
Rippon won bronze at the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard and finished sixth at the 2009 NHK Trophy. Following his fifth-place finish at the 2010 U.S. Championships, he took home gold from the 2010 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Jeonju City, Republic of Korea.
“I'm very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Rippon said. “Since competing at Four Continents, I have been training well, and I will be ready to do my best in Torino.”
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two weeks. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
World Junior Championships Open Today in the Netherlands
The 2010 World Junior Figure Skating Championships open today in The Hague, Netherlands. All four fields look dynamic with the 2009-10 Junior Grand Prix Final champion in each discipline headlining their respective disciplines. The ISU is awarding a global prize pot of $200,000 (U.S.) at the competition with skaters/couples placing between first and 12th receiving cash rewards. The ladies and men's winners will pocket $10,00 each with the top pairs and ice dances receiving $15,000, respectively, to split. THE MEN
A new champion will be crowned in the men’s event. Two-time and defending champion Adam Rippon is not age-eligible to compete at the World Junior Championships this season but the list of contenders is still quite strong. The men's field features Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and Denis Ten of Kazakhsta.
Hanyu (season best 206.77 points) won the JGP Final. A two-time Japanese junior champion Hanyu, 15, placed 12th in his debut at the ISU World Junior Championships in 2009, now has his eyes set on the podium.
Tough competition will come in the form of the 16-year-old Ten. His season best score is 211.25 and he has Olympic experience under his belt. He skated into 11th place in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Ten is hoping to improve on his fourth-place finish at last year’s World Junior Championships.
Ten is the first skater from Kazakhstan to medal at an ISU competition (gold at 2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Gomel/BLR).
The 2009-10 Junior Grand Prix Final runner-up Nan Song of China (season best 209.68), also debuted successfully at the senior level by ranking sixth at the 2010 Four Continents Championships at end of January. Song finished seventh at this event last year. This season, he won silver at JGP Belarus and gold at the JGP Germany, advancing to the JGP Final, where he captured silver. Hanyu squeezed out the win in Tokyo at the Junior Grand Prix Final. His margin of victory over Song was 1.78.
Russian junior champion Artur Gachinski finished had a gold and silver from his two JGP events this season; he came in sixth at the JGP Final.
Other contenders in the men's field include Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA), who competed at the senior Grand Prix circuit this season. Mahbanoozadeh was the 2008 JGP Final runner-up and the bronze medalist at the 2007 event. He came in eighth at the senior level at the U.S. Championships.
Also in the mix will be Junior Grand Prix events medalists Grant Hochstein who made his senior debut at this year’s U.S. Championships, finishing seventh, as well as Keegan Messing , the 2009 U.S. junior silver medalist.
THE LADIES
In the ladies’ event, expect a battle to the very end. The three 2009-10 Junior Grand Prix Final medalists will meet again in The Hague.
The champion, Kanako Murakami of Japan, comes with a season best of 160.85. Murakami has won every event she’s entered this season. She is Japan's reigning junior champion.
JGP Final silver medalist Polina Shelepen (RUS) has a season high score of 159.29 points. She won her two won her first two JGP assignments this season.
Christina Gao (Courtesy U.S. Figure Skating)
Meanwhile, Christina Gao (USA) scored a season best of 151.47 points at the JGP Final where she claimed the bronze medal. In her senior debut, Gao finished fifth in a very strong field at the 2010 U.S. Championships.
All three skaters are making their World Junior Championships debut so nerves could play a role in the outcome.
Anna Ovcharova of Russia, who placed fifth in the Junior Grand Prix Final, is also in the field as is reigning U.S. junior champion Agnes Zawadzki and 2009 U.S. novice champion Kiri Baga.
Zawadzki's 171.87-point score at the 2010 U.S. Championships is the highest to date by a junior lady at a U.S. qualifying competition. Baga replaced 2010 U.S. bronze medalist and two-time World Junior bronze medalist Ashley Wagner. Earlier this season, Baga won her Junior Grand Prix assignments in Germany and Turkey, and finished fourth as a junior at the 2010 U.S. Championships.
Others to watch for include Joshi Helgesson (SWE), who finished fourth in this event in 2009, as well as Canada’s medalists Kate Charbonneau (CAN) and Russia’s Polina Agafonova. Charbonnea won Canada’s junior title in 2009 and placed seventh at the senior level at the 2010 Canadian Championships (she earned a silver in Croatia in the fall on the Junior Grand Prix circuit). Agafonova is Russia’s reigning junior ladies champion (she claimed a bonze in one of her two JGP assignments in the fall ). THE PAIRS
The pairs competition features the top junior teams of this season. Wenjing Sui and Cong Han (CHN) are on a roll. They have every event entered this season and would like to continue the golden streak in their debut in The Hague. Their season best score is 164.84 points.
Both Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran (JPN) and Yue Zhang and Lei Wang (CHN) are competing in their third ISU World Junior Championships and are eyeing the podium after taking the silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in December. The Chinese couple has a scored 147.89 as their top score this season while the Japanese team scored 151.83 points.
After faltering in the Junior Grand Pirx Final, three Russian couples are looking for some redemption in The Hague. Tatiana Novik and Mikhail Kuznetsov, Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov, and Anna Silaeva and Artur Minchuk are hoping to skate onto he podium here.
Other contenders are Kaleigh Hole and Adam Johnson (CAN) and Jessica Simpson and Nathan Miller (USA).
ICE DANCE
It looks like the ice dance competition will be a battle between the best young teams from Russia and the USA. ISU Junior Grand Prix Final champions Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin (RUS) will face Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalists Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) and reigning World Junior silver medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani (USA), who came third at the Junior Grand Prix Final.
Ilinykh and Katsalapov have the top score of the season with 171.61 points and Shibutani and Shibutani have a 175.95 point score to their credit. Meanwhile, Monko and Khaliavin season best score is 173.15 points.
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani (Courtesy U.S. Figure Skating)
The two Russian teams will debut at the ISU World Junior Championships, while Shibutani and Shibutani come back after taking the silver last year. The Shibutanis are the reigning U.S. junior champions and 2009-10 JGP Final bronze medalists. Earlier this season, the Shibutanis won their JGP events in Lake Placid and Croatia.
Ekaterina Pushkash and Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) will challenge the leaders. Both competed at the 2009 World Junior Championships, but with different partners. Guerreiro is the 2009 World junior bronze medalist with former partner Ekaterina Riazanova.
Piper Gilles and Zachary Donohue (USA), Lorenzo Alessandrini and Simone Vaturi (ITA), Stefanie Frohberg and Tim Giesen (GER) and Rachel Tibbetts and Collin Brubaker (USA) are the other teams to making a name for themselves at the competition.
CASH REWARDS
The ISU global prize pot of $200,000 (U.S.) will be awarded as follows:
Men and Ladies
1st place US $10,000 2nd place US $7,000 3rd place US $5,000 4th place US $3,000 5th place US $2,750 6th place US$ 2,500 7th place US$ 2,250 8th place US$ 2,000 9th place US$ 1,750 10th place US$ 1,500 11th place US$ 1,250 12th place US$ 1,000
Pairs and Ice Dance (Per Couple)
1st place US $15,000 2nd place US $10,500 3rd place US $7,500 4th place US $4,500 5th place US $4,000 6th place US $3,750 7th place US $3,500 8th place US $3,000 9th place US $2,750 10th place US $2,250 11th place US $1,750 12th place US $1,500
The event has drawn skaters/couples from 53 ISU members. All skaters/couples will compete in the short program and the top 24 men and ladies and the top 16 pairs will proceed to the free skating. In ice dance, all couples will compete in the compulsory dance, the top 30 couples will advance to the original dance and the top 20 dance teams will compete in the free dance.
THE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 9: Compulsory Dance, Pairs Short Program Wednesday, March 10: Men Short Program, Pairs Free Skating Thursday, March 11: Original Dance, Men Free Skating Friday, March 12: Ladies Short Program, Free Dance Saturday, March 13: Ladies Free Skating and Exhibition Gala
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two weeks. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
Craig Buntin's newest venture is taking off almost as quickly as one of the throw jumps he and his pairs partner land on the ice.
Buntin is the owner of Teabean Coffee Co., a new Montreal company. It manufactures and distributes Teabean White Espresso to cafes, restaurants and bakeries. The drink is a sweet, tea-like, warm beverage made using white coffee beans.
"Warm and caffeinated without the harsh coffee flavor, it is ideal for those who enjoy sweeter coffees like vanilla lattes or caramel macchiatos," Buntin said. "Teabean White Espresso has a taste that is so unique, most people don't even believe it's coffee."
White coffee beans are baked rather than roasted. "They are all natural with no additives, preservatives or additional processing," Buntin said. "Our world class roastmasters take 100 percent pure premium grade coffee beans and bake them with meticulous care, ensuring that each batch is held to the highest standards of quality."
Indigo Books in Montreal has just signed on as a customer and is holding a launch party on Saturday. The event will be held at Indigo Livres Musique & Café, 1500 Avenue McGill College, Montreal, QC. (tel. 514-281-5549) on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Buntin and pairs partner Meagan Duhamel claimed the bronze medal at the 2010 Canadian Championships; it was their third straight national medal. They earned the silver medal in 2009 and bronze in 2008. Buntin and former partner Valerie Marcoux were three-time Canadian pairs champions (2004-06) and represented Canada at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, where they placed 11th.
Teabean White Espresso (www.teabeancoffee.com) is also available at:
Café Grand 6202 Sherbrooke O. Montreal, QC H4B 1M2 Phone: 514.303.6425
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two weeks. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
Olympic bronze medalist and six-time Canadian champion Joannie Rochette will pay tribute to her late mother, Thérèse Rochette, when she performs a special piece at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods's Premier Ballroom in Mashantucket, Conn. on March 19. The performance will be part of the made-for-TV reality competition "Thin Ice."
Thérèse Rochette died suddenly in a Vancouver hospital on Feb. 21. She was just 55 years old and had traveled to British Columbia to see her daughter compete at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Just days later Rochette skated in honor of her mother and earned Canada's first ladies medal in figure skating since Elizabeth Manley mined silver in 1988.
Rochette said she was uplifted by the support she received from around the world. "I am just happy to be on the podium; that was my goal coming here," she said after the long program. "It's been a lifetime project with my mom, and we achieved that."
Rochette will perform on the third day of the competition which will feature the following skaters:
Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, 2005 and '06 World champion, 2006 Olympic silver medalist and the fourth-place in the 2010 Games in Vancouver. Jamie Sale of Canada, 2001 World champion in pairs and 2002 Olympic champion; Patrice Lauzon of Canada, five-time national champion and a two-time World silver medalist; Shizuka Arakawa of Japan, the 2006 Olympic champion; Shae-Lynn Bourne of Canada, 2003 World champion ice dancer; David Pelletier of Canada, 2001 World champion in pairs and 2002 Olympic champion; John Zimmerman of the United States, a three-time national. pairs champion and World bronze medalist; Michael Weiss of the United States, three-time national champion and World bronze medalist; Elena Berezhnaya of of Russia, a two-time World champion in pairs and Olympic champion, and; Marie France Dubreuil of Canada, five-time ice dance champion and a two-time World silver medalist.
Judges for the show include skating legends Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Dick Button. Co-hosts are four-time World champion Kurt Browning and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Emmy Award-winning host of ABC's “The View.”
"Thin Ice” will originate from the Premier Ballroom of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods March 18 through 21, and will air in prime time on ABC on March 19 (8-9 p.m. ET) and March 21 (7-8 p.m. ET).
Tickets to be in the auidence for a live taping of the show may be purchased at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand Box Office at 1-866-646-060 by calling Ticketmaster, or in person at the MGM Grand Box Office.
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two and a half week. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
With what competition does a gold-medal winner follow up the Olympic Winter Games? In Evan Lysacek’s case, it will be the ABC hit show “Dancing With the Stars.”
With an Olympic gold medal under his belt, Lysacek will now go after the much-coveted Mirror Ball trophy. The cast was announced last night during the season finale of “The Bachelor.” Lysacek will dance with pro Anna Trebunskaya (who will be in her fifth season with the show). She was the runner-up with partner and football player Jerry Rice in the show’s second season.
"I’m really excited to take on this new challenge,” Lysacek said. “The Olympics was my only focus the last four years, so it’s great to step outside my comfort zone and try something new while feeding my competitive fire.”
Joining Lysacek as contestants on the show will be Buzz Aldrin, Pamela Anderson, Erin Andrews, Shannen Doherty, Kate Gosselin, Niecy Nash, Chad Ochocinco, Jake Pavelka, Nicole Scherzinger and Aiden Turner.
The two-hour season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" will air Monday, March 22 at 8 p.m. ET. The last figure skater to hit the ballroom was 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi who pretty much ran away with the Mirror Ball trophy in Season 6.
There had been much speculation that Lysacek would join the cast, especially after he announced his withdrawal from the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships being held in Torino, Italy in late March.
That announcement came in the form of a press release from U.S. Figure Skating on Feb. 27. In the release, Lysacek said that although his 2009-10 competitive season will also end with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, he will continue to compete. “I’m not afraid to lose,” Lysacek noted. “Regardless of medals, I still have so much to thrive on in the sport. I’m not ready to say good-bye.”
Lysacek will be one of the headliners on the Stars on Ice tour, which begins its run in April.
In the same release, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, 2006 Olympic silver medalists who finished fourth at the 2010 Games, also announced they will not at the 2010 Worlds Championships,
"After much consideration following the conclusion of our event in Vancouver, Ben and I have decided to end our season with these Olympic Games,” Belbin said.
Belbin and Agosto plan to continue skating as well but have not decided if they will do so competitively or just in shows.
“We’re going to take some time while on tour with Stars on Ice this spring to consider our competitive plans for the future,” Belbin said.
Lysacek will be replaced by 2009 Skate America silver medalist Ryan Bradley (who was fourth at the 2010 U.S. Championships) , while Belbin and Agosto's spot will be filled by two-time U.S. bronze medalists Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre (who were the fourth-place ice dance team at the 2010 nationals).
Ashley Wagner has announced she has withdrawn from the 2010 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in The Hague, Netherlands, and will be replaced by 2009 U.S. novice champion Kiri Baga.
In other U.S. Figure Skating news (this one coming in early February), 2009 U.S. champion Alissa Czisny announced was parting ways with long-time Julianne (Julie) Berlin. The two had worked together for 12 years.
"I have so much respect and appreciation for Julie, and I am extremely grateful for everything she has done for me during our time together,” Czisny said. “Julie has always believed in me and has provided me with every opportunity to grow and improve in my skating career. I will always be thankful for the experiences we shared and the memories we created together."
“For 12 years I have enjoyed developing Alissa into a national champion,” Berlin said. “It was great to see her reach her goals throughout the years and see her have success in international and national competition, and I wish her continued success as she pursues her skating career.”
Czisny, who has not yet announced a new coach, has been mentored the last couple of years by Olympic champion Brian Boitano and his former coach, Linda Leaver.
Our special Olympic issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, will available in digital form ($20, U.S. for a one-year subscription, worldwide) in approximately two and a half week. It hits newsstands in early April. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
It was another record-breaking performance for South Korea’s Yu-Na Kim who won the gold medal with a commanding performance in Vancouver tonight at the 2010 Olympic Games. It was an historical moment as she won not only her country’s first Olympic figure skating gold medal, but she also captured the first medal of any hue in her sport at an Olympic Games for the Republic of Korea.
"I've been dreaming about this moment," Kim said. 'I can't believe this is not a dream anymore."
Mao Asada of Japan took the silver medal and Canada's Joannie Rochette claimed the bronze.
Not only did Kim capture the gold, she did so in record-setting fashion. Kim, 19, obliterated her own world record score by compiling 228.56 points, more than 18 points higher than her previous best. She scored another world record -- 150.06 -- for her free skate. “I still can’t believe the score that I received.I’m really surprised," Kim said. "It’s almost as close as the men’s score.”
She flew across the ice and nailed element after element. Her program was highlighted by stellar jumps, including a triple Lutz-triple toe loop to open the program and a double Axel-triple toe loop later in her skate. Her spiral sequence was exquisite and her spins were both technically solid and beautiful to watch.
She also took control with her artistic presentation in her program set to "Concerto in F" by G. Gershwin. Right from her opening pose, she sold her program, one of the most dominating in Olympic history. She displayed a hit of sexuality and connected with audience like few before her have ever done.
"Oh my goodness, this is glorious," said Sandra Bezic, an NBC analyst for the Games, about Kim. "This is one of the greatest Olympic performances I have ever seen."
Asada, 19, had several bobbled in her program to the music "Bells of Moscow" by S. Rachmaninov and finished 23 points behind Kim. It was also a historical outing for Asada though, who landed two triple Axels in her program (one in combination). She also landed one in Tuesday short program, becoming the only woman to land three triple Axels in an Olympic Games. In most other years, she would have been golden but she was no match for Kim.
While Asada said she some rergrets, she also noted, "All I can say is that I am proud to have completed three triple Axels at these Olympics."
Rochette, 24, was a pillar of strength and picture of grace. She had a few small errors in her program to "Samson and Delilah" by C. St. Saens, but it was an emotional performance that clearly touched the audience and judges alike. Skating just four days after her mother's sudden death, she earned Canada's first ladies figure skating medal since Liz Manley mined silver in 1988.
“I’ve never seen such a superhuman amount of courage and determination," said NBC analyst Scott Hamilton. "What an inspiration.”
Rochette said she was uplifted by the support she received from around the world.
"I felt so much love in so little time. ... All of your comments and all of your letters really helped me in one way or another get on the ice and skate here for myself, for my country and for my mother," she said.
Depite feeling proud, Rochette said the result didn't matter (although this one Canadian who truly "owned" the podium in her own way). "I am just happy to be on the podium; that was my goal coming here," she added. "It's been a lifetime project with my mom, and we achieved that."
American Mirai Nagasu, 16, finished fourth with a score of 190.15 and an energetic and delightful program to "Carmen."
Miki Ando of Japan was fourth (she was 15th in 2006) with a score of 188.886. Skating in the second-to-last flight Finland's Laura Lepisto was sixth (187.97) and American Rachael Flatt (who had several jumps downgraded) was seventh (182.49).
EDITOR'S NOTE: We have been asked where letters of sympathy can be sent to Joannie Rochette. We contacted her agent and the info is below:
JOANNIE ROCHETTE c/o David Baden IMG 304 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor New York, NY 10010
The Jan./Feb 2010 issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, is available on newsstands and in digital form. It features Meryl Davis and Charlie White on the cover. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue costs $20 (U.S.) for a one-year, is free with a print subscription, and provides access to BACK ISSUES posted online.
Skating after rival Mao Asada of Japan put down a stellar program, South Korea’s Yu-Na Kim one-upped her by scoring a World record to rank first in the short program tonight at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
“I felt comfortable and I was able to enjoy my short program today," Kim said. "Mao skated perfectly. I was a little worried, but there was no pressure.”
The South Korean superstar, 19, scored 78.50 for an amazing short program. She nailed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combo to open her James Bond program and she was off and running. She easily landed a triple Lutz and then nailed a triple flip (a jump she has had trouble with in the past). The reigning World champion earned level fours for her three spins and her spiral sequence.
Overall, Kim sold the program, which was a mixture of strength, power and grace with a hint of sexuality thrown in.
Asada has a terrific skate as well. Her program set to to “Waltz Masquerade" earned a season best 73.50.She nailed a triple Axel-double toe loop combo, just a beautiful combination. Asada was the only woman to perform a triple Axel in the short program. "I tried to stay calm," Asada said. "I practiced my short program a lot and trusted myself to pull off the triple Axel.”
The 19-year-old also landed a triple flip and a double Axel. Asada earned level fours for all of her spins, her spiral and footwork. had a seasons best score of 73.78 points (41.50/32.28). “I’m very relieved. This is the best short program that I’ve skated this year," said Asada who was the World champion in 2009.
Canada's Joannie Rochette, not just the hometown favorite but the sentimental favorite following the sudden death of her mother Thérèse on Sunday, gave an inspiring performance of courage in the face of great difficulty (see the editor's note below). Rochette's performance was emotionally charged and technically solid. She scored a season best 71.36.
Rochette's emotional performance to “La Cumparsita” included a triple Lutz-double toe loop combination, a triple flip, the double Axel. She earned a level four for two spins and the spiral sequence.
At the end of the performance, Rochette was clearly overcome with emotion and had tears in her eyes. When she stepped off the ice, she hugged her coach, Manon Perron, and sobbed for just a few second before she lifted her head and wiped away the tears.
The crowd of 11, 700 at the Pacific Coliseum embraced the six-time Canadian champion from the beginning of routine and gave her a standing ovation.
“It was hard to be precise. Ten years from now, I’d like to come back and and try this again. I have no regrets," the reigning World silver medalist noted in a statement released to the press. “It was very nice to have the warm welcome. It was hard to handle [the situation] but I appreciate the support.”
Miki Ando went for it as she attempted a triple Lutz-triple loop to open the program. The landing of the second jump, which was under-rotated and downgraded, was shaky. Nonetheless, she proved she is not to be ignored and scored 64.76 to rank fourth in the short program
American Rachael Flatt placed fifth (64.64) and teammate Mirai Nagasu sixth with a season best score of 63.76. The top six will make up of the final flight of skaters Thursday for the free skate.
In seventh place was reigning European champion Carolina Kostner of Italy with a score of 63.02. Russian champion Alena Leonova (62.14) placed eighth and Republic of Georgia's Elene Gedevanishvili (61.92), the European bronze medalist placed ninth. Laura Lepisto, the European silver medalist, rounded out the top 10 with a score of 61.36.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We have been asked where letters of sympathy can be sent to Joannie Rochette. We contacted her agent and the info is below:
JOANNIE ROCHETTE c/o David Baden IMG 304 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor New York, NY 10010
The Jan./Feb 2010 issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, is available on newsstands and in digital form. It features Meryl Davis and Charlie White on the cover. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue costs $20 (U.S.) for a one-year, is free with a print subscription, and provides access to BACK ISSUES posted online.
Compiled by Susan Wessling * Photos by Susan D. Russell
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada danced off with an historic gold medal last night in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They became not only the first Canadians but also the first North American couple to take the Olympic title since ice dance was included into the Olympic Winter Games in 1976.
Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White (USA) claimed the silver medal, and the bronze went to Russia’s Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin. Each of the top teams earned a season best score in their free dance.
The medal ceremony was emotional. As NBC's play-by-play man Tom Hammond said prior to the medals being awarded: "Coming up is a moment that will resonate across the continent.” Indeed it did. And the partisan fans inside the Pacific Coliseum were especially enthusiastic as the crowd sang the Canadian national anthem with emotion that swept across the arena.
Virtue and Moir gave a mesmerizing performance of their romantic dance to the “Adagietto” of Gustav Mahler’s "Symphony No. 5." The Canadians flowed through intricate steps, effortless lifts and their twizzles were superb.
"It’s amazing. It’s the best feeling in the world. We believed, we dreamed of this moment for a long time,” Moir said.
The technical panel awarded Virtue and More level fours for their intricate and innovative lifts and the dance spin and a level three for the two step sequences, while the Judges rewarded the team with mostly plus 3 grades of execution. Two judges also gave a perfect 10.00 component score for performance/execution and for interpretation/timing.
Virtue and Moir earned 110.42 points (53.10 element score/57.32 program component score) for their free dance and compiled up a total of 221.57 points to take the gold in their Olympic debut.
“I think Scott and I both have sacrificed a lot, like all the athletes, whether it be moving away from home or missing out on school or normal teenage opportunities," Virtue said. "Last year was especially difficult with the injury (and surgery to both of her shins). It was a rocky road.
“There were times where I thought I wouldn’t get back on track. So it’s fun to be able to skate again without pain. It makes this victory even sweeter.”
Canada’s only other Olympic ice dance medal dates back to 1988, when Tracy Wilson and Robert McCall won bronze. “As an ice dancer, this is the first Olympic event with ice dancing that the No. 1 issue has not been the judging.," said Wilson at the Games as an analyst for NBC. "And it’s so wonderful, hopefully that is behind this sport. The judges did a fine job here, calling it like they saw it.”
Wilson called Virtue and Moir's free dance "a stunning performance filled with elegance and grace. [It was] absolutely exquisite. ... No score has come close to that this season.”
When talking about the free dances of each of the top two teams, Wilson also noted, “[They were] sensational, memorable performances that will stand the test of time.”
Davis and White skated first in the final flight and raised the bar with their powerful performance to “Phantom of the Opera.” The Grand Prix Final champions produced difficult footwork, lifts and a dance spin, receiving level fours for all elements except for the step sequences.
"They went after it," Wilson said. "As we’ve seen them do time and time again. This time, uninhibited on Olympic ice. That is a sensational program.”
Davis and White posted a score of 107.19 (52.80/55.39) for the free skate and notched an overall score of 215.74. They, too, stood on the podium in their first Olympic Games. “It’s been a wonderful experience coming to the Olympic Games and to cap it off with a silver medal is so amazing,” Davis said.
White added, “I’m very, very pleased with how we skated. We built on our performance yesterday. We had three great programs.”
Domnina and Shabalin skated last out of the 23 couples. "We skated as well as we could. We are happy with our medal, but of course we had aimed for more,” Domnina said.
The reigning World champions put down a passionate free dance to the soundtrack of “The Double Life of Veronique" that was highlighted by beautiful lifts. However, the Russians received only a level two for their serpentine step sequence.
The European champions scored 101.04 points (48.00/53.04) and remained in third place with 207.64 overall points. “We did all our elements. It was hard, but we coped with our nerves. Everything worked out,” Shabalin said.
Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto's lyrical dance to “Ave Maria” and “Amen” featured innovative lifts and a level-four dance spin, but their twizzles were graded a level two. The 2006 Olympic silver medalists had to settle for fourth place with 203.07 points.
When asked if the free dance was Belbin and Agosto’s last competitive skate, Belbin replied: “We’re not certain right now. When we were thinking about it, which we have been, we were definitely imagining a skate like we had tonight to cap off a great career. So we’ll have to take that into consideration.”
The American duo, the most decorated ice dance team in U.S. history, will be among the headliners on the upcoming Stars on Ice American tour.
Hammond called the duo "the pioneers of the emergence of North American ice dancing.”
Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy skated smoothly to a selection of music by Nino Rota, they titled “The Immigrants.” The Italians remained in fifth place with a total of 199.17 points.
France's Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder gave an emotional performance to “La Quete.” The 2008 World champions, who didn’t compete since December 2008 following Delobel’s shoulder injury and pregnancy, finished sixth with 193.73 points. The French team had announced earlier that they want to retire from competitive skating after the Olympic Games.
(Some of material used for this report was provided by the ISU and NBC press releases).
The Jan./Feb 2010 issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, is available on newsstands and in digital form. It features Meryl Davis and Charlie White on the cover. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue costs $20 (U.S.) for a one-year, is free with a print subscription, and provides access to BACK ISSUES posted online.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Move to the Front of the Field
By Susan Wessling * Photos by Susan D. Russell
A partisan crowd went wild last night as Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada put on an incredible display of artistry, precision and superior technical skills at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Virtue and Moir of Canada stepped out to the overall lead in what was a thrilling night of ice dance at the Pacific Coliseum. “It felt amazing. We just stayed in the moment every step," Virtue said.
The Canadian duo was in second place after the compulsory dance on Friday.
Their training mates from Detroit -- Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White -- moved up from third aftre the compulsory dance to second place overall with a top-ntch program.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, who led after the compulsory dance, dropped to third place overall. Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, who share the same coaches as the Russians and train at the same facility in Aston, Pa. sit in fourth place.
This season’s OD is folk dance and there were some unique and downright unusual performances as well as the somewhat expected (country dances) routines.
Exquisite Performance
There was nothing common about Virtue and Moir’s passionate Spanish Flamenco, which had the wildly enthusiastic crowd on its feet as soon as soon as the dance was ending. "We were actually quite relaxed. It wasn’t until we were sitting there (in the kiss and cry) that I realized what had happened,” Virtue said.
Virtue and Moir scored a season best 68.41 points (32.90 element score/35.51 program component score) for their original dance and have compiled a total of 111.15 points heading into tonight’s free dance. They are almost three points ahead of Davis and White.
The reigning World bronze medalists earned a level four for the lifts, which were innovative and extremely well down. Their twizzles also garnered high marks as the Canadians moved in synch and performed difficult and elegant moves with speed. Their two step sequences earned a level three.
“Right about now, we have to forget about what we’ve done and focus on the free dance. We’re going to skate for our fans and our country,” Moir added.
A Big Hit
Davis and White were impressive as well with their Indian-themed dance, which has been a big hit with audiences and judges alike this season.
The reigning Grand Prix Final champions scored a season best of 67.08 (32.60/34.48) and moved up from third to second with 108.55 points overall.
“This definitely gives us momentum to slide right into the free dance. We have confidence,” White commented. “When you are able to skate your best, it’s definitely more fun.”
Their highlights of their routine was their overall speed and precision as well as their authentic movements to a dance that has been embraced by people across India (a copy of the dance was posted on YouTube and has gone viral garnering over 270,000 page views, most originating from India, to date).
The American duo earned a level four for three out of the four elements: its lift, twizzles and the circular step sequence. The side by side footwork was graded a level three. “It was an emotionally charged program. We gave everything we had in that program.”
Tepid Response
Reigning World champions Domnina and Shabalin performed an aboriginal dance and gave a solid performance. They seemed tentative, even a bit awkward, in places. At times the couple seemed to be dancing a bit too far apart. The crowd gave the dance a lukewarm response and it seemed the judges were not overly impressed either,
The reigning European champions earned a level four for the curve lift and the twizzles, while the two step sequences were graded a level three. The couple earned 62.84 points (29.80/33.04), a seasons best, but they slipped to third place with 106.60 points overall.
“We did well. We did all our elements clean and we’re happier with the performance than at the European Championships,” Shabalin said.
In Striking Distance
Belbin and Agosto, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, turned in a romantic Moldovian dance and remained in fourth place with 103.33 points. Italy’s Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali produced an energetic and fun Tarantella to finish fifth at 100.06 points.
Rounding out the Field
Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France gave an entertaining performance, to a French Can-Can. They rust showed, though, as it was the first time they had performed the routine in competition (they have been off the competitive circuit for over a year. Delobel had shoulder surgery last January and gave birth to her child in October) but their step sequences and twizzles were graded a level two. The 2008 World Champions remained in sixth place and 10 points out of the medal hunt with 96.67 points.
Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat of France are in seventh place. Sinead Kerr and John Kerr stand in eighth place. Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski, the second Russian couple and former world bronze medalists, are ninth. Rounding out the top 10 is Alexandra Zaretsky and Roman Zaretsky of Isreal.
The Experts Speak
Dick Button and Tracy Wilson have some strong opinions on the ice dance action. “It is the toughest of all events," Button noted in an NBC press release. "And that’s because you can’t hide behind a quadruple jump or a highflying sit spin. If you don’t have solid skating skills, you aren’t going to make it in ice dancing.”
Wilson likes the three North American teams' chances. “All of these teams are in striking distance of the gold medal," she said.
Worth Noting
There has never been a Olympic ice dance champion hailing North American. Teams from Canada and the United States have won only three Olympic medals — one silver (Belbin and Agosto) and two bronze — in the event since it became a Winter Games sport in 1976.
Russian or former Soviet teams have won seven of the nine gold medals: teams from Great Britain and France have each claimed one gold medal each.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (Great Britain) famously won Olympic gold in Sarajevo in 1984. At those Games, they performed a routine that is still considered the standard of excellence in the sport, their very dramatic free skate to Ravel's Bolero (under the old system, it earned all 6.0s for presentation.)
In Salt Lake City (2002) Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat of France were the (somewhat infamous) Olympic champions, a Games that marred by scandal when at French judge admitted she had been pressured to score the Russians higher in pairs in exchange for the French ice dance team being given higher marks in dance. However, no wrongdoing was ever proven in the ice dance event.
The figure skating competition at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games cocludes tonight with the free dance.
The Jan./Feb 2010 issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine, is available on newsstands and in digital form. It features Meryl Davis and Charlie White on the cover. To subscribe, click HERE?, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. The digital issue costs $20 (U.S.) for a one-year, is free with a print subscription, and provides access to BACK ISSUES posted online.
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