2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Pairs

The Pairs competition in Moscow gets underway after tomorrow's Men's SP. This field is a little less volatile than the men's field but remains strong.

The Favorites
Two teams enter as the teams to beat, Pang and Tong and Savchenko and Szolkowy. Both teams were solid on the Grand Prix, went 1-2 at the Grand Prix Final, won Four Continents and Europeans respectively, and now look to take the World Title. The key to winning for each team, don't make a mistake. Whichever team skates the cleanest likely takes the title. If both teams are clean...I haven't a clue what the judges will do!

The Spoilers
Several teams would love to crash the Chinese/German party at the top. Chief among them Kavaguti and Smirnov. This team has been on the cusp of brilliance for some time now and would love to break through here at home. Right on their heels is the new team of Volosozhar and Trankov. Both had some success with their previous partners (Stanislov Morozov/Maria Mukhortova) and made a splash winning the 2011 Russian Title. Watch out...when these two skate sparks fly! But, are they two young a team? Completing team spoiler is actually the third Russian team of Bazarova and Larionov.

The Dark Horses
Both American Teams fall into this category. If clean, Yankowskas and Coughlin as well as Evora and Ladwig could be medal threats. Also on the dark horse radar is the German team of Hausch and Wende who have been quietly getting more and more consistent; I wouldn't be surprised if they crack the top six. Both Canadian teams might surprise us as well, especially Moore-Towers and Moscovitch...they have exciting skating and have been surprisingly solid this season.