Axels, Loops, and Spins

Christmas Came Late (or a little early!)

2012-01-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

Sorry, crazy schedule so this is a little late.

OMG...Nationals could not have gone any better if I was to have scripted it myself! You should have seen me screaming during all the free skates! I was a hot mess...turns out I win the San Jose 2012 'Queen Out' Award!

As far as dance, I found it kind of boring and all so predictable. My heart really got pumping however in the free dance. First, huge props to Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt! What amazing strides they have made in just a year! For a second there I thought they were going to hit the podium and make the world team. What an effort! I think I tweeted after Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue's dance I needed a cigarette. That was hot. For Maia and Alex, their Free Dance is still leaving a little bit to be desired...it feels safe and I want them to take big risks. The improved short dance I think puts them back in the running for a possible bronze at worlds but they are going to have to find a way to be more exciting in the free. and Meryl and Charlie...what can I say...Virtue and Moir can 'fuhgetaboutit!'

Pairs couldn't have gone more perfect. I'm a huge Rockne Brubaker fan...huge! I didn't expect him and MaryBeth to win, so I was really shocked when they won the short! While the free didn't pan out as expected (it was odd to see him make the mistakes) I was please as punch when they placed second and punched their ticket to Nice! My goal is to find them in Nice and get a picture with them because I'm a fan! I also don't care what people say...Denney and Coughlin's free skate is beautiful...I smell what they are cooking! Evora and Ladwig...I love them too but they can't continue to get a pass on the poor technical elements. They've got to figure that out...it's a must! I'll be rooting for them in Colorado Springs...Amanda...land a sbs jump!

The ladies event was very exciting. Can I just gush for a few moments about Caroline Zhang! This girl has transformed...I was shocked at how well she competed here...shocked I say! Still some work to do but the difference is magnificent! I'm uber excited I get to see her at 4CC...I'm going to make lots of noise! I've never been so happy to see someone place 4th in my life. Agnes...oy! You know, I partly blame NBC for tinkering with the skate orders (had it been a true open draw and not simply a draw amongst the top three she might not have drawn last); Agnes is notorious for skating poorly last and stated she hates it. Even still, I think she's come far since the disaster that was the Grand Prix series and I think she now has a place to grow from. Alissa, again, was fragile not fierce. I wonder if she's still not extra healthy (as she isn't competing at 4CC). I love her but I still doubt her...and that's not a good thing. And Ashley Wagner...she's the one I was rooting for and she didn't disappoint...at all! Love her free skate...LOVE HER FREE SKATE. I wanted to pinch her for messing up the salchow but I guess I'll forgive her. Add a triple triple, put that triple toe behind the double axel on one foot, and pray for world medal. I'll be a mess in Nice should that happen.

And I was screaming during the men's free skate. Forget the rest, Jer Bear! I was pacing around skating his free with him. That quad off the top was the most swish thing I've ever seen. I love what Scott Hanilton said when he was worried that Jeremy might skate perfect like he did in 2010 and peak to soon. He was relieved it was a good skate but not a perfect one so he has room to grow. That is so true. Each time Jeremy has hit the ice it has been steadily better. He's building towards Worlds which is perfect. I'm gonna say it...if both Patrick and Jeremy are completely clean at Worlds, I think Jeremy is better because he feels his music better and is less robotic. There it's out there...take it or leave it. Happy that Rippon was second with a good skate. Johnny Weir was correct in stating we need to send the two guys with the most experience and that is definitely Abbott and Rippon (perhaps because he needs them to earn him a berth next season?).

Euro Finale

2012-01-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

Well it's a wrap in Sheffield. I reported last week that Volosozhaar and Trankov won the Pairs title at Europeans and Pechalat and Bourzat took the Dance title.

The ladies title was captured by Carolina Kostner. This girl has had the worlds busiest schedule this season. She did three Grand Prix Events, the Grand Prix Final, now Europeans and she'll compete at worlds...not an easy schedule to keep. She's been dominant this season despite the fact she needs a little more technical umpf in her program (read: she needs a lutz). I guess when the field makes mistakes and you do what you do well enough, it get's the job done.

Kiira Korpi and Elene Gedevanishvili made their way to second and third. I have no idea who the Russian lady that finished 4th is...their team must be getting deep! Full Results here.

Amongst the men...Plushenko won...Plushenko Jr. was second...that is all...I'm over it. Full Results here.

Look at the top ten below. This is a tremendous group of skaters. I'm disappointed Brezina and Fernandez didn't do better...sad face.

Quick Europeans Update

2012-01-27T07:37:00.000-08:00

Very quickly, some updates on Europeans.

First, Pairs Champions were crowned yesterday. Volosozhar and Trankov, looking much rested after skippping Russian Nationals, turned in a lovely performance to take the title.

Noticeably absent was Savchenko and Szolkowy who withdrew due to a muscle injury suffered by Aliona. "I was a very difficult decision for us," said their coach Ingo Steuer. "We came to the European championships and now we are unable to compete. The risk is too high to aggravate the injury further." Aliona plans to begin training again in 5 - 7 days.

Russian Teams in fact swept the podium with Bazarova and Larionov taking the silver and Stolbova and Klimov the bronze. See full results here. Top 6 below:

Amongst the men, Artur Gachinski upset Plushenko to take the lead in the mens short program. Plushenko has been complaining of injury and says his participation in worlds is "50/50." Verner and Fernandez were close behind in 3rd and 4th with Amodio and Brezina rounding out the top 6. Brian Joubert was way down in 10th. Full Results.

The Free Dance has also concluded with Pechalat and Bourzat winning after a lot of moving and shaking in the standings. Leaders after the short program Bobrova and Soloviev had to settle for silver and their teammates Ilinykh and Katsalapov moved from 7th all the way to the bronze medal. Full Results.

The ladies short program finds Carolina Kostner leading Kiira Korpi and Ksenia Makarova. Full Results.

2012 Canadian Nationals

2012-01-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

This past week, Canada's best took to the ice in Moncton, New Brunswick to declare National Champions. From my point of view, it just about went by the expected script.

Amelie Lacoste slipped in for her first Canadian Title, finishing second in both the short and free. In this case consistency paid off. She wasn't perfect, singling both a lutz and flip in her free but it was good enough on a night when it didn't take much to win. Cynthia Phaneuf, just fourth after the short, won the free skate (not by much) and pulled up to second. Surprise leader after the short, Kaetlyn Osmond (no idea who she is), in the end could only muster third. Without Joannie Rochette I don't think anyone expected this to be much of a "firework" event...

In Dance, Virtue and Moir won of course. I think the bigger story is that they only beat Weaver and Poje by a little over 6 points. It speaks volumes to the leaps and bounds Kaitlyn and Andrew have made. At the Grand Prix Final I was in tears watching them. It didn't help that I was sitting with Alexandria Aldridge's mom (who along with Daniel Eaton competes for the U.S. in Ice Dance and competed in the Junior Grand Prix Final); Alexandria trains with Kaitlyn and Andrew and her mom knew every step of their free dance and was sobbing the whole way through...which of course made me sob all the way through! I think Virtue and Moir will need to find a few extra points to defeat Americans Davis and White (I'm getting excited for 4CC!). Speaking of Americans, the bronze went to Gilles and Poirier. Piper Gilles, of course, is an American now skating with Paul Poirier (who used to skate with Vanessa Crone). Who new her first senior Ice Dance medal would come from Canada?

In Pairs, Duhamel and Radford skated away with a win. Not sure if sbs triple lutzes are the smartest thing to try, but I guess if your trying to set yourself apart... Dube and Wolfe slipped in for the silver and youngn's Lawrence and Sweigers the bronze. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch finished a disappointing 4th. Pairs skating in Canada right now is reminding me a lot of Pairs skating in the U.S. Some potential is there but nothing seems to be happening in a major way.

The big story was the men where Patrick put on quite the performance. Two clean skates, and a score of 302.14 (yes...he cracked the 300 mark!) gave him a more than 60 point buffer win over Kevin Reynolds. Being a National event, scores are always higher than international competition, so it's unclear if Patrick would have hit that number outside of Canada but what is clear it was an amazing performance (below). He's had some rough skates this season (although his scores haven't really reflected this) but he really had it together here. If Patrick skates like this the rest of the season I'll go ahead and give him the unbeatable stamp. Jeremy Ten made a bit of a comeback taking the bronze.

You can see the full results here. This week gives us U.S. Nationals and Europeans.

U.S. Nationals About to Begin

2012-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and we've entered into Championship season. Canadian Nationals are in progress and U.S. Nationals get underway next week.

Of course, this year I'm not able to make it out to San Jose for Nationals and my skating icon is getting inducted into the Hall of Fame...of course! I'd totally Queen out as soon as she appeared so maybe it's better this way. But, I'm totally excited for her, I know she'll be glowing, and I'll scream with glee from home whilst watching Ice Network.

So about the competition, I think U.S. Nationals are either going to be shockingly stellar or a complete dud. All I know is that U.S. Figure Skating needs to do something to increase the international mojo...it's been a bit lacking recently.

Of course our flagship competitors will be Meryl and Charlie in Ice Dance...nobody here can beat them, even if they are having a bad day. Seriously...nobody. They could just stand on the ice, Charlie could flip his hair, and that would be enough. Maia and Alex will likely pull in for second with consistent, safe performances. The real interesting bit is for the bronze which I think is up for grabs a bit. Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue? Emily Samuelson/Todd Gilles? Madison Chock/Evan Bates? That might get interesting.

Pairs...yikes. This is one place where its kind of a roll of the dice. I guess I'd say Denney and Coughlin are the ones to beat (each representing one half of the winning team the past two seasons) but they've not been super great. Neither have Evora and Ladwig who are likely the biggest threat to them. But honestly no American Pairs team has been great so I think it will likely come down to who falls the least. After typing that I really it's kind of sad.

The ladies...I just feel like this will be a hot mess. I pray I'm wrong. And I've been kind of blah about really supporting a U.S. lady since Kimmie Meissner disappeared (where did she go?) but I'm fulling full support behind Ashley Wagner! I really want her to gout out there and kick ass. I think of all the U.S. ladies her programs are far superior, especially her Black Swan Free, and that is just how I feel. If Alissa is still on her bum ankle, Rachael is skating like she did in the Grand Prix, and Mirai continues to be a head case...the path should be clear for her.

As for the men, I feel as if this is Jeremy Abbott's to lose. It was made abundantly clear this season that the U.S. men, outside of Jeremy, have some major catching up to do as compared to the rest of the world. The only one in the competition I feel could make a run at Jeremy is Ross Miner. As much as I love Ricky Dornbush, he's had trouble finding the consistency he had last season. Brandon Mroz is like a one-trick pony with his usually unsuccessful quad lutz. Adam Rippon seems unfocused. To be honest, outside of Jeremy, the one I'm really keeping my eye on is Jason Brown. He might be the ultimate spoiler. Gosh, Johnny should have come back sooner (think he'll really comeback?)...he'd have a real shot at this title?

Anyways, I'll be watching and tweeting from home. In two and half weeks I will be making the trip to Colorado Springs for the Four Continents Cup. It will be my first skating competition where I can use my new toy...an iPad 2! I'll recap Canadian Nationals on Monday and will be giving concurrent updates on Europeans during Nationals. Lots on the horizon!

Year End Wrap-Up

2011-12-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

2011 Draws to a close...I call it the "Year of Chan." He certainly had a great year...a Canadian Title, a World Title, another Grand Prix Title, and recently named Canadian Press Athlete of the Year. He's going to win another Canadian Title (take it to the bank!)in Moncton next month (short of a withdrawal) and probably another World Title in Nice. I've been very critical of the judges overmarking of Chan this season, let's see if it continues into the Championship span of the season.

Speaking of Championships, several have taken place naming top skaters around the world National Champions. In France, Brian Joubert won another National Title. Take a look:

He went back to his "Matrix" program that brought him success in the mid 2000s. I am a bigger fan of the more artistic Brian that tried to peek out over the last couple of years but he was having no luck with results so he's gone back to what works for him. Trouble is, there aren't any "component boosters" to speak of in this program so it doesn't have a hope or prayer outside of Europe. Pechalat/Bourzat also captured another French Title last week.

In Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tomas Verner bested Michal Brezina to win another Czech (and Slovak and Polish) Title:

One of the better skates from Verner in a while. Beauty of a quad off the top.

In Saransk, Plushenko did it again, I have no words.:

The ladies standings at Russian Nationals were a hot mess. Sotnikova won. Leonova (who looked to be on track this season) could only muster 3rd, Makarova was 4th, and seemingly immune to defeat Tuktamysheva was just 6th. Both Volosozhar/Trankov and Kavaguti/Smirnov skipped the event giving Bazarova/Larionov an easy win. Bobrova/Solviev took the Dance Title.

Finally to Osaka, Japan which had the most contested titles up for grabs. On the Men's Side, Takahashi held on to win after being bested in the free skate by Kozuka who finished 2nd and Hanyu who finished 3rd (Hanyu won the free skate). Nobunari Oda, whose had a terrible season after recovering from injury, did not compete. Despite the win, Takahashi's skate was marred by several errors. Here are all three performances:

On the ladies side Mao Asada, in what must have been a very difficult week after the recent passing of her mother, turned in a beautiful performance to win another Japanese Title:

While not perfect, you all but forgive her the last two jumping passes given the circumstances. Akiko won the silver and Murakami took the bronze.

Hope 2012 is great to everyone! Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Final "Final" Musings

2011-12-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

Can I stay in Quebec forever? If you've never had the opportunity to make it up here...you simply must. It's a Canadian gem.

So the Free Dance was today and talk about close! I think Meryl and Charlie beat Tessa and Scott in the Free Dance by .05. Of course Meryl and Charlie had the lead going in...but imagine if Scott had not fallen in the Short Dance...that would have made for a photo finish if there ever was one. Apart from the top two dances...I really enjoyed Weaver and Poje's dance. They went for it 100%. There were plenty of tears in the crowd after their skate; it was magnificent, and they have really moved up in the world as far as Ice Dance goes.

I took lots of Pictures...see them all at Axel, Loops, and Spins Facebook Page!

Now that it's all over, I'll leave everyone with one thought I had about each skater/team competing here:

Pairs

Takahashi/Tran - Waiting for consistency...if/when that happens, watch out!

Duhamel/Radford - Stop analyzing everything (Meagan in particular seems to go on an analyzation psycho-babble spree at the end of every performance)...just skate and trust it.

Zhang/Zhang - Dan needs to figure out how to be as expressive as Hao.

Kavaguti/Smirnov - They have the ability to be the best hands down. Dig deeper.

Volosozhar/Trankov - REST!

Savchenko/Szolkowy - Don't get comfortable at the top...teams are nipping at your heels.

Men

Michal Brezina - Rethink the free skate music cuts (see Ross Miner for advice).

Jeremy Abbott - Don't think when you skate and let go...your best when you don't think. Pull a Kwan...just feel.

Yuzuru Hanyu - Keep doing exactly what you're doing!

Javier Fernandez - Aim big! No reason why you shouldn't be European Champ and possibly a world medalist.

Daisuke Takahashi - Keep proving the judges are getting it wrong...sooner or later enough people will take notice.

Patrick Chan - Know that you ARE appreciated more than most skaters will ever be.

Dance

Bobrova/Soloviev - Think refinement...it's all a bit messy yet.

Shibutani/Shibutani - Be risk takers. You can't play it safe anymore. PUSH PUSH PUSH!

Weaver/Poje - Combine your amazing skating with more difficulty...you can handle it!

Pechalat/Bourzat - Fabian...smile! I love how you both never miss a "ching" in your Free Dance.

Virtue/Moir - Keep up the good fight!

Davis/White - You have to keep the good fight going!

Ladies

Alissa Czisny - Be fierce, not fragile.

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva - Skate bigger, skate faster.

Alena Leonova - I like that the lutz was back in the free. Keep working out the kinks, you look good this season!

Akiko Suzuki - Own it girl...get out of your head and get into the ice.

Carolina Kostner - Next stop...triple lutz.

Grand Prix Musings...2

2011-12-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

She Was Wearing What?

The ladies event came to an "uneventful" conclusion. As per I expected Kostner pulled off the win. I give her props...she did three events plus the final...that's not an easy schedule to keep. What I don't give her props on was her outfit...yeesh! Carolina, call me, we need to chat. Who also needs to call me...Alissa Czisny. Girl! What happened to Czisny 2.0? Czisny 1.0 showed up at this event. Find her again...please! Also, I was hoping Leonova would sport her Viktoria Helgesson "esque" do for the free skate...she went back to the usual hair...bummer.

No Way

Okay, I'm about to snap on the judges! Chan's Free Skate was scored higher than Daisuke's! How? And yes, I was in the building, and hands down Daisuke outskated Patrick on every level. The only component that Patrick really dominates Daisuke on is Transition/Linking Footwork. The rest...they're basically tied. And tonight, Daisuke was far superior in Interpretation (he does not miss a beat in his free skate), Skating Skills, and execution. What a shame the marks didn't reflect it. The crowd was cheering joyfully as Patrick won and I just sat there shaking my head...sad. On a more positive note...let's welcome Hanyu to the big boys club. What a skate! I think someone passed him my note, he tempered his performance just a bit and bingo! What an accomplishment for Fernandez as well (Canada appears to have adopted him as their own via Brian Orser). Finally Jeremy...oh he made my heart skip beats when he hit that quad! Shame there were problems that came later but I think he is on the right path as he heads towards San Jose...when he does that program clean it's going to be a gem.

So Close!

Savchenko and Szolkowy's MO this season has been to not do their best in the short but come rocketing back in the free. That's basically what they did here...only this time Volosozhar and Trankov kept up! The last two pairs free's of the night were absolutely amazing. Both teams had us on the edges of our seats. I think it came down to Tatiana's little wiggly landing on her throw salchow. Other than that it was an epic finale between the two.

p.s. Props to Jason Brown on a brilliant skate to take the Junior Men's Title...it was just awesome!

Grand Prix Musings

2011-12-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

She's Not a Fem-bot

So we learned today that Elizaveta Tuktamisheva is not a fem-bot. Until today I had never seen her skate live and I thought she was a programmed robot with the instructions...[In Russian Robot Voice] "Skate Perfect." But seeing her live, despite the botched jumps in her short program, I found a couple flaws: She's kind of slow and she doesn't cover the ice super well. I now believe she is in fact human...but the jury is still out on Julia Lipnitskaia (pictured)...she seemed kind of fem-botish today with a perfect skate (somewhere I know someone is praying she never grow boobs or hips). Carolina leads the field after a solid skate...no one really challenged her. Mao Asada was missed in the event. What sad sad news about her mother.

Bounce-Back

So Scott Moir had the fastest fall and bounce back up ever this afternoon. That's right...fall! He was doing some footwork and tripped (or got clotheslined by Tessa...couldn't tell which) and went down. But as fast as he was down he was right back up and never missed a beat. I actually think he gained points by that move it was so impressive. Nevertheless, the fall cost them precious points against Meryl and Charlie who steamrolled right through on their way to winning the SD.

Get on the Trankov Train

Last year Volosozhar and Trankov wooed me in and they have quickly become my favorite Pairs Team. I was somewhat concerned when on the warm-up Maxim kept favoring his left hip. No worries though as they went out and killed the short program to take the leave. "Get on the Trankov Train" somewhere near me yelled after their skate...I like it!

Patrick Chan...Unappreciated?

He's so unappreciated that he got a standing ovation and the lead after another...another I say...botched short program. Hand down on triple axel and banging into the boards just before sitting down on combination = amazing score. Patrick should not exert so much effort...he should go stand on the ice for his programs...that should earn him enough points to win. The judges had no problem slapping Daisuke Takahashi, Savchenko and Szolkowy, and Virtue and Moir for making mistakes...why is Patrick immune? I have a video of him being unappreciated (re: Thunderous Applause) that I'll upload as soon as I can figure out how,

Chan's Mouth

2011-12-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

So on my way up to Quebec I grabbed a newspaper at the airport in Toronto, open it up to the sports page, and boom...Chan's mouth!

The first time I was treated to Chan's mouth was at the 2009 World Championships where he got into a media tussle with Brian Joubert.

I love it, first of all, only in Canada (well maybe in Japan and in Korea if it pertains to Yu-Na) does figure skating make the front page of the newspaper.

I read the headline, "Chan Feeling Unappreciated in Canada." He talks about all the hard works skaters do and he feels left out of the big boys club (Stojko, Browning). He then even talks about how it would be cool to skate for China...

Chin to floor!

It was such a stir up here that he had to issue a statement about his statements (which were given 4 months ago to Reuters).

Patrick should come to the U.S. where people go, "What's figure skating?" and then discuss appreciation. I mean, I don't think he realizes how good he has it. He got the front page of the sports section for crying out loud! When was the last time a U.S. skater got the sports front page of the New York Times, or Washington Post, or USA Today (I'm dying for someone who really wants to put in the research here and tell me it's been at least close to a decade)?

So he hits the ice today...Canadian's, please support him or we may have to deal with another "skatertantrum."

p.s. Wishing Mao Asada well and hoping her mom is okay.

Retour au Québec

2011-12-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

I'm on my way up to Quebec! I've found a quiet corner of the Old City that will be my little "maison loin de chez" and will arrive in time for all the action.

Who's competing? Check here:

Juniors
Seniors

I've made it no secret I'm super excited to see the men, but I really am excited to see them all.

Not sure I'll be giving live Twitter updates...it would cost me money as my cell phone is not Canadian. If I can find a wi-fi signal I'll be in for updates though!

Stay tuned for updates, photos, and more!

Best of the Best

2011-11-30T09:13:00.001-08:00

Simply, my favorite performances from this seasons Grand Prix:

Skate America

Skate Canada

Cup of China

NHK Trophy

Trophée Eric Bompard

Rostelecom Cup

I Screamed Like a Girl

2011-11-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

The Regular Grand Prix is over and I'm giddy with delight! I think next to Worlds (which I also will be attending!), the Grand Prix Final will be the best ticket of the year!

I won't go into specifics about who did and who didn't make it...you can check for yourself.

I was pleased with the ladies and pairs fields. I think Christmas came early with that dance field! And then I screamed like a girl when I saw the men's field!

OMG! Look!

No way! So if I was to pick my top six favorite men's skaters in the world...I got 5 of them right here (better luck next time Denis Ten) including my fave Jeremy Abbott. Sorry Yuzuru...I'm rooting for the other 5. Talk about EPIC!

Praying for no bogus withdrawals...I feel as though I would cry.

The Nitpick

2011-11-15T07:41:00.001-08:00

At NHK Trophy there was way too many skaters "going against the grain." That is, trying to be skaters that they are not.

I have a pretty strong opinion about this. Skaters need to find a lane and stay in it. Perfect it. Optimize it. Win! I'll use my favorite skater of all time to demonstrate this point; Michelle Kwan.

For over a decade she was hammering out amazing programs...she stayed "in her lane." Then in 2004-2005 she did that Bolero program and for the first time I was like "Oh girl, that is not a great program." She tried to be a skater she wasn't...it didn't work.

At NHK there was an overwhelming amount of these types of programs happening. Here are some of the culprits:

Oh boy...ummm. The skaters that win a lot, even when they try new things, they do it in a way that doesn't take away from who they are as skaters. It's like changing the color of your car...but still keeping the same car. Skaters have to know what their strengths are as skaters and play to them. The above programs do the exact opposite. Armin is a flowing classical skater, Cynthia and Agnes are strength skaters, and the Reed's do best when they aren't attempting character pieces.

In short, what I'm saying is...If you're going to push yourself as an artistic and try something new...make sure it works.

Side note not associated with the above post, but I feel as if the judges righted a wrong by giving Shibby the win at NHK...however I feel like it was at the expense of Weaver and Poje...just saying.

The Nitpick

2011-11-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Grrrrrrrrrr....the Free Dance results at Cup of China were "redonk!"

I found the judges to be impertinent and devoid of all ability to actually "see" what was happening on the ice.

Take a look:

Then this hot mess took the ice...

Now I'm all for Walpurgis Night. Faust is greatly under-used in skating. But this dance was terrible. It lumbered across the ice at a snails pace. Ekaterina gave us her ususal poor posture. Don't get me started about the last 30 seconds or so when it went to complete s%*t! I watched it again to make sure I was giving them a fair shake...it was more painful the second time through.

Let's rewind the the Short Dance where I actually agreed that the Russians out skated team "Shibby." Maia and Alex have many things, but steamy sex appeal in a Rhumba isn't one of them (and now we have one of those weird brother/sister awkward moments). While I don't think I would have had the Russians like 7 or 8 points ahead...I would have given them the lead.

But what a load of crap that the judges not only handed the Russians the title...they marked them as skating better in the free...what?!?!?!?!?! C'mon, really? I realize figure skating is subjective and everybody has to have an opinion...but this is blatant ridiculousness. Put all feelings about style and music aside and just look at the skills and the skating. In short, the Russians weren't even close to being able to keep up with the skating abilities that Shibby displayed. And to even show their incompetence more...the judges didn't even make it close, but called it as a 7+ point blowout resulting in this disaster of a score:

I was pissed...still am! I think what pissed me off the most is that the Russians took their win in stride...they didn't even looked shocked. Not even a "Hey Babe, we just demolished a team that's clearly better than us, isn't that awesome?!?!" from Dimitri. If you just beat the World Bronze Medalists...wouldn't you be 'slightly' more excited?

And the sad part is, we'll never know which of the judges on the panel either don't know how to judge or are passing off favors...their anonymous. Didn't Beyoncé sing, "What goes around, comes back around..."

Cup of China

2011-11-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

We are literally hours away from the beginning of Cup of China. So before I go to bed only to rise at an early hour...a few thoughts about Cup of China.

Ice Dance
The field is lacking some depth so it should be a very easy road to victory for the World Bronze Medalists, Alex and Maia Shibutani. Another of the U.S. new teams makes a debut with Samuelson and Gilles hitting the ice. My guess is Bobrova and Soloviev come in a distant second and a fun little fight for third.

Men
I don't quite know how to handicap this one...Gachinski, Oda, Abbott...any could be the one to beat. Lurking in the background are Hanyu, Dornbush, and Reynolds. I'm rooting for Jeremy...last season was a little rough, this one needs to go better!

Pairs
I'm excited to see how Zhang and Zhang stack up against Kavaguti and Smirnov. I'm also excited to see how Evora and Ladwig figure in the mix. I'm hoping they have improved the technical elements.

Ladies
I think Carolina Kostner runs away with this title. Her programs are fantastic this season and is skating great. Her biggest challenge will probably be Kanako Murakami. Team USA has potential to do well but I'm not holding my breath. Sotnikova? Young Russians would appear to be on a roll...?

The Nitpick

2011-11-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

So, with my new job I've learned that I can't blog as much as I used too. So when I do blog I want to make sure I'm saying something meaningful. I could give a bland rundown of what took place at an event but those of you reading my blog probably already know about that so I've come up with "The Nitpick." I'll focus on one thing in particular about an event that popped to me.

So this weeks Nitpick...Chanflation.

Before I even begin...I think Patrick Chan deserved to win Skate Canada...let me just say that and get it out of the way.

But now that we have that out of the way, I'd like to offer Exhibit A...Patrick, Daisuke, and Javier's short programs from Skate Canada.

So, after the short program these were the top three men...all separated by less than 2 points (1.43 to be exact). I have to tip my hat to Patrick Chan...even with a less than great skate he managed to be within two points of Javier Fernandez who had the skate of his life! Chan, if he knows how to do anything, it's how to get points. His component scores where close to 4 points up on Javier's (3.79 to be exact). As good a skater as Patrick is...his skate was not 3.79 points up on Javier (typically it might be, but not this day). Seems as though (To me at least. Figure Skating IS still subjective) Chan was propped up a bit. Even Patrick looked a little surprised at his scores when they came up. He was in the Kiss and Cry apologizing for a poor skate and then really good scores come up despite botching some of his elements. What was even more impressive is how the judges managed to squeeze Takahashi in for 2nd...that took precision!

And just a moment discussing Javier...wow! It's like he's somebody brand new! Brian Orser has worked some magic here!

To be fair, even despite the mistakes in Chan's free, it's a brilliant skate and he obviously would have won anyway...but even his free skate wasn't perfect and yet he's pulling scores like he had the skate of his life.

I don't blame Patrick for any of this...I almost don't blame the judges that much. This is the one flaw (well...I think the biggest flaw anyway) with the judging system...it's about points. Despite Chan's errors, he gets tons-o-points by doing what he does on the ice. I'm fearful of the day when, in a huge competition such as the Olympics, he's going to make similar mistakes and still beat someone that skates perfect...then I think there will be an uproar about "Chanflation."

I'm happy that Javier won the short program...he deserved to do so. I think he deserved to win by a bigger margin...or at least it seemed as though his short was better than just 1.43 points.

Later tonight I'll post a rundown of Cup of China.

Skate Canada Rundown

2011-10-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Lots of exciting things going down this weekend in Mississauga.

I'm stoked to see Virtue and Moir healthy and competing this early in the season. I'm expecting nothing less than an epic showdown between them and Meryl and Charlie this season. Meryl and Charlie threw the first punch at Skate America...time for Tessa and Scott to swing back! I don't think there is anyone in the field that came close to being competitive with them. I do have a feeling the silver/bronze race will be close. On paper Cappellini and Lanotte look the best but a couple talented young Russian duos, a fresh new American team, or a dynamic Canadian partnership could steal the prize away.

Amongst the ladies, team USA has the opportunity to send a strong message. Save Alissa Czisny, I think this is the strongest possible field the U.S. could muster at an event (Nagasu, Flatt, and Wagner). I suspect both Russians, Leonova and Tuktamisheva, as well as Akiko Suzuki of Japan could prove worthy challenges. The ladies wildcard is Cynthia Phaneuf. She's either hot or cold.

The pairs event, I'm guessing, will be an easy walkaway for Volosozhar and Trankov. The World Silver Medalists may, however, find worthy competitors in the young Chinese team of Sui and Han. They have a dynamic spark on the ice and are known for going after (and occasionally hitting) big tricks. However, at least judging from Skate America, the judges are really rewarding basics this season and Volosozhar and Trankov will excel there. Takahashi and Tran of Japan, if they can hit technical content, could be a threat as well. Boo...no Americans in the field!

The men's field as Skate Canada is really good! World Champ Patrick Chan gets his season started. It was at this event last season that he smoked the competition and never looked back , going on to win the Grand Prix Final, Canadian Nationals, and of course Worlds. He'll meet tough competition this weekend with his World champ predecessor, Daisuke Takahashi, taking aim. It's the first heavy weight match of the season. Toss in Kevin Van Der Perren (who was surprisingly good at Skate America), Adam Rippon (who I think is on the precipice of being great), Denis Ten (who I think any moment will shock us), and Javier Fernandez (ultimate wildcard!) and I think you have the possibility of some amazing skates.

Skate America Cheers and Jeers

2011-10-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Cheers: To Meryl Davis and Charlie White dazzling with a "proper" waltz to win.

Jeers: To half the ice dance field tripping over themselves in the Short Dance.

Cheers: To U.S. Figure Skating selling a decent amount of tickets for Skate America.

Jeers: To U.S. Figure Skating holding Skate America in a venue so big it looked desolate inside.

Cheers: To Carolina Kostner for delighting with two great programs this season.

Jeers: To Ksenia Makarova for not delighting with two great programs.

Cheers: To team Europe who did very well at this event.

Jeers: To team USA that did "less well" at this event.

Cheers: To the judges for rewarding Savcehnko and Szolkowy's modern style.

Jeers: To the judges for not rewarding Denney and Coughlin after a solid skate.

Cheers: To Caroline Zhang for reminding us why we all love her in the short program.

Jeers: To the fact that Caroline didn't come thru in the free (but we still love her!)

Cheers: To Ricky Dornbush for suddenly becoming "cool."

Jeers: To John Coughlin's Mambo abilities.

Skate America Day Three

2011-10-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

The final day of competition. I've gotten used to this weather here in Southern California....it'll be hard to go back to Illinois where the weather is...not as nice.

The Pairs in general I thought skated very well. Savchenko and Szolkowy made a great recovery to jump from 5th to the win. Their free skate is awesome and very different. Zhang and Zhang were not able to bring the expressiveness they had in the short and dropped to second after a lifeless program. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch had an amazing performance to take the bronze. Loved the Henry V music choice. Finishing 4th was Denney and Coughlin who had a gorgeous skate and I thought...wait for it...should have won! There was some Twitter back and forth about how their skating comes across on T.V. versus in person. In the arena they brought the house down...but somehow that didn't translate to broadcast. In any case, they were fantastic and I'm scratching my head about their placement. The rest of the pairs field was somewhat lack luster. Poor Mary Beth Marley learned a lesson in tough competitions today...she had real trouble keeping on her feet on the jump elements.

The ladies began with the battle of the pinks which Ksenia Makarova won despite the fact her program (and music choices) were a hot mess. In the final group Caroline Zhang and Haruka Imai had poor performances, Haruka managed to stay in fourth despite finishing 9th in the free...Caroline dropped to 6th. Viktoria Helgesson turned in a lovely skate set to Sunset Boulevard. The choreography was impressive and I think she outdid herself by snatching the bronze medal! The battle for the gold was desperately close between Kostner and Czisny. Carolina skated first and turned in a wonderful program. Again, she picked a piece of music that works with her style and she didn't seem like she was trying too hard. Czisny skated last and had several technical mistakes but also managed some good content as well (again she seems to be fighting better than she has in past seasons which is good). When the scores went up she had lost the free to Carolina but had enough left in the gas tank from the short to take the title.

Results here.

The exhibition performances were quite good. Highlights included a positively beaming Kevin Van Der Perren, a simplistically beautiful Savchenko and Szolkowy, an awkward mambo from Denney and Coughlin, and stunning beauty from Alissa Czisny.

The first Grand Prix event is out of the way...five more to go. The next time I blog from an event will be the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada.

Skate America Day Two - Part 2

2011-10-22T22:09:00.001-07:00

I feel like the energy at Skate America bumped up a notch tonight!

First the pairs, where Denney and Coughlin were first up and they smoked it! The much ballyhooed team delivered with a gorgeous skate. They currently sit second. Stealing the night was Dan and Hao Zhang...making a comeback from a season off for injury. In a rare turn of events, they skated a beautiful artistic program, to snag the lead and hang onto it for the night. Placing 3rd, but actually tying Denney and Coughlin in points, was Bazarova and Larionov. Classic Russian skating, but quite boring this time, and they had a fall on side-by-side triple toes that didn't help (trying to figure out how they got the same points as Caydee and John?). The big story is Savchenko and Szolkowy placing 5th. Hard fall on a throw triple axel (I like that they are getting after it but given Zhang and Zhang's skate seemed overly risky) and from that point out they seemed out of sorts. Not great choreography either. The other big news...Rockne now has short hair and looks like he's 17. He and Mary Beth had a cute program and are currently in 6th.

The top U.S. ladies did well tonight. Alissa claimed the top spot after a gorgeous program to La Vie en Rose. She had the crowd in her palm as she gracefully skimmed the ice. Looks like, for now, that form from last season is holding together nicely. In 3rd place is Caroline Zhang who was positively beaming tonight. She was smiling and had big crowd support (all the SoCal skaters have). One little booboo on the double axel but an otherwise solid skate. Between the two of them is Carolina Kostner. I loved her music choice...didn't seem like she was fighting her skating style but rather complementing it. She still hasn't added back the big jumps but most of what she did she did well, and of course she has brilliant speed. Just in 4th, Haruka Imai made a lovely impression with a beautiful skate and looks to be a factor in the free skate. Ksenia Makarova totally tanked, literally when she smacked the ice on her combo attempt. Elene Gedevanishvili also had a rough skate.

Full results here.

Skate America Day Two - Part 1

2011-10-22T15:42:00.001-07:00

The skating today seemed somewhat more inspired...but the fact that it's early and the season and the fact there was such a quick turnaround for the skaters meant there was still lots of kinks in the chain as of yet.

First, an observation...This arena is huge and given it's size compared to the number of tickets sold...it looks desolate. A note to U.S. Figure Skating...we are in SoCal for crying out loud! Half of the World trains here, you'd think you could have sold a few extra tickets? I suggest to U.S. Figure Skating doing one of three things:

1. Pick a more intimate venue...maybe 5000 seats max. That way it looks full and I think that little "trick of size control" could do wonders.

2. Up the PR. Again, in SoCal, there is no reason why double this amount of tickets couldn't have been sold. This event, ticket prices, list of competitors, etc. should have been in every newspaper on Saturday from July thru last week from San Diego to San Francisco...I suspect it wasn't.

3. Two weeks prior to the event and you have tons of empty seats...start giving them away to local schools, colleges, promotions for non-profits, radio giveaways, etc. If you can't sell the ticket, at least get U.S. Figure Skating some exposure.

Now the skating...

We were treated to the men first. First a huge bit of Douglas Razzano who was 'Steady Eddie' out there and have a supberb skate. For the longest time he was winning the free skate and beat out, among others, European Champ Florent Amodio. Speaking of Amodio, again way too much standing and dancing in place, and I think the judges picked up on it this time (and the fact he didn't jump well). The music is great but you can't stand in place and shake your hips...that's another sport. He finished way down in 9th. Looking at the winners...the young Czech Michal Brezina took the title with a fun skate to The Untouchables. The first half was better than the second half but he had such a lead coming in he had enough buffer to win his first Senior Grand Prix. The silver, and free skate winner, went to Kevin Van Der Perren. It's been sometime since Kevin has looked this good. Jumped fairly well and did enough to be relevant again. Takahiko Kozuka pulled in for the bronze after a forced skate. The music is great but he had to work for just about all his jumps. Richard Dornbush took a note from Ryan Bradley's play book and played to the crowd with a fun western medley. He went for a quad and almost had it but it was under-rotated. He finished 4th. Ten and Murakami had some troubles too and finished 5th and 6th.

In Ice Dance, the first thing I want to talk about is Ralph and Hill's scores pictured below:

I can't figure out how they were scored so low so someone who get's these will need to explain them to me. I thought they were at the least, third best on the night and pretty well matched with the French Team...guess not. Crowd and Twitter weren't happy about their low placement. Tobias and Stagniunas from Lithuania pulled out the bronze with a Jive inspired free dance that had the crowd clapping. Pechalat and Bourzat looked much better in the free. This middle eastern medley has some fun choreographic moments but seems somewhat basic at times. However it is fun to watch. What isn't fun is watching Fabian nearly pass out from exhaustion after the dance. Actually, lots of skaters are looking downright 'gassed' at the end of their skates. Not looking gassed at all was Meryl and Charlie who delighted the crowd to a good proper waltz and skated away easily with the gold by nearly 22 points.

Scores are here.

I'll be back with more after the ladies and pairs shorts.

Skate America Day One

2011-10-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

What happened out there on the ice? This is not what I was expecting as I departed Illinois this morning at o'light 30! As I got sneezed on by the little girl at Denver International Airport! As I braved the ridiculous L.A. traffic at...2:30pm (It wasn't even rush hour and it was out of control). All in all, not a spectacular night of skating.

First up was the men. My thought was all these guys should be saying, "Who needs Evan Lysacek?!?!" And my hope is they would all step up to the plate despite his absence. But it turns out that maybe we do need Evan (US Figure Skating, please work out whatever little financial squabble is happening between you and Evan). It was rather uneventful. Richard Dornbush did provide a little pizazz to the competition in the first half. However, he found himself behind Daisuke Murakami who quad salchow'd his way to an early lead. The second group didn't improve much. Kevin Van Der Perren jumped his way into the top four just behind Murakami, Kozuka ended the night in second after a free skate marred with a nasty miss on the quad. The winner of the night was Michal Brezina who Kodo Drumed his way to the short program win (I thought he did quite well actually). Florent Amodio completely missed his combo and sits in 8th place. Denis Ten and Armin Mahbanoozadeh turned in so so skates to place 6th and 7th. Razzano is 9th and Contesti is bringing up the rear with a terrible short. And if you watched and are scratching your head about Dornbush's placement...so are we.

Next was the Short Dance and it has been a while since I've seen that many falls take place. Skater were falling on twizzles and steps all over the place. Several of those falls came in Pechalat and Bourzat's performance. They were a mess! Despite the mistakes they still find themselves in 2nd. Germans Zhiganshina and Gazsi (???) are third. Davis and White won the short dance, easily, by just over 10 points...but even they looked a little rough around the edges. The rest of the ice dance field was simply bland and if the team stayed on their feet they likely did better than a team that didn't.

Fingers crossed the skating tomorrow goes up a notch.

Some goodies...you can see the program for Skate America by following this link right here.

You can see full results from the competition here.

This Blogs About to Blow!

2011-10-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

I have been a sleeping giant since Worlds with relatively few posts.

I will share with all of you that this past year I've moved into a new position with my company which requires tons of my time. I'm on the computer as much as ever, but usually in charts, figures, and reports.

But...

Skate America begins tomorrow, and I'm making the trip out to California for the event. I can stay quiet no longer...I MUST BLOG! So, as the Senior Grand Prix gets underway, look for more posts from me (as well as a bigger Facebook/Twitter presence) as we move forward.

So about this Skate America competition...

Pairs

This is quite a mixed bag of goodies. The clear and easy favorites are World Champs Savchenko and Szolkowy. I'm excited to see their Free Skate to Pina which is a German Dance flick. Last season I was impressed with their technical skills but less impressed with the choreography to Pink Panther. However, even more interesting is the return of Zhang and Zhang. Hao of course had to miss the entire season with a hand injury and it will be interesting to see how they look. They ended the 2010 season not on the best note. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch made a splash on the Grand Prix last season with solid skates, can they back it up this season? USA Pairs skating has been in a state of flux recently. All three U.S. teams are making Grand Prix debuts; Baldwin and Vise, Denney and Coughlin, and Marley and Brubaker. I'm praying an American team can make it to the podium. Hausch and Wende of Germany could be the darkhorses in this event.

Ladies

Interesting group...lots of the wildcard types competing. We may get great skates...or iffy ones. I guess I like Alissa the best of them all. I'm hoping her improved form from last season has stuck with her. If it has, she's formidabble. Ksenia Makarova and Carolina Kostner represent solid threats from Europe. Carolina is usually amongst the top skaters often winning by pulling points from places other than jumps (no...not bitter at all). I'm not certain how to handicap Caroline Zhang...wait and see?

Dance

Davis and White and Pechalat and Bourzat should clear the field by leaps and bounds. My guess is that Meryl and Charlie have an easy road to victory but if anyone would give them problems it would be the French. The bronze is a bit up for grabs though...

Men

Really solid group even without Lysacek. If I had to guess on who would take this I'd put the good money on Kozuka but anything is possible. Amodio, if he has his brain together, could be a real threat. Ditto for Denis Ten. Double ditto for Brezina. Will be interesting to see how the U.S. men fare. Armin is the only one with Senior GP experience (including a bronze at this event last season). Dornbush did make a solid senior debut last season and he is known for consistency so it stands to reason he'll do okay. Douglas Razzano has nothing to lose. He turned some heads with his strong finish at Nationals last season...he really has to get after this like it's his last chance to prove anything. Finally KVDP, he keeps at it...I guess if he loves what he is doing. I just hope he comes in competition mode.

I'm landing in L.A. tomorrow afternoon and will make my way to Ontario in time for the start of all of the fun. Look for Twitter and Facebook updates all weekend long!

New Logo!

2011-10-09T18:57:00.001-07:00

You might have noticed a new logo that has surfaced on the site this weekend! Over the summer I had 27 logo submissions come in for my design a logo competition...amazing!

The winner, as it happens, Laure Antonetti is the winner. Laure designed the awesome logo pictured here:

Laure will be receiving a $30.00 Amazon.com Certificate and a t-shirt featuring the Logo!

The logo will be popping up everywhere Axels, Loops, and Spins is...Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.

Drop a line and tell me what you think of the logo!

Junior Grand Prix Catch-Up

2011-10-09T18:21:00.001-07:00

Winning performances over the last few weekends on the Junior Grand Prix:

Junior Grand Prix Romania:

Junior Grand Prix Austria:

Junior Grand Prix Italy:

Nebelhorn Afterglow

2011-09-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

I've found some time to watch the performances. Some thoughts on the winners:

I love Spartacus but I'm not loving this music on Mirai...yet. I'm holding out that she is still working out the kinks and the program is going to blossom later in the season. Felt as though the climax of the program came too late after 3.5 minutes of tone foam. But the jumps (save that little blip on that double loop) looked pretty good. Mirai looks like she has finally grown into her body which is nice to see.

Surprise, surprise, surprise! I was having a hard time picturing Madison on the ice without Keiffer but smiled when I saw these two together. Such strides in such a short amount of time. I think this dance was sexy so some kudos to them for pulling it off. Making big gains in Ice Dance is next to impossible in the U.S. with powerhouse teams perched at the top but nice to see a new team and a fresh prespective.

This one could be a winner. Love Swan Lake and love this team. I think they look the part of Swan Lake. Tatiana is beautiful and pure, but definitely looks like she has a little bit of spunk and 'bad girl' in her. Maxim looks like a guy who given the choice, would choose the 'bad girl.' Sure up those throw landings and make sure to finish 'all' the lifts in the program and you have top quality skating here.

Yuzuru frustrates me a little. He is so talented. I want his coaches to scream at him across the ice and say, "SLOW DOWN!" When I watch him I feel like it's so frantic. I want him to figure out how to have impact without flailing and rushing. I love that he's chosen music from the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack...I love even more the music from Romeo and Juliet he chose for the middle section of the program...but then he just flew through it at lightning speed. I wanted him to listen to the music and slow down and 'feel it.' For example, I loved the Ina Bauer he did...but I wanted it to last at least 5 more seconds. This is what I mean when I say 'reign it in.' stop...breathe...smell the roses...sometimes in skating it's okay to take your time. As an aside, loved the traveling cannon spin in his circular footwork.

Shoutout to Tatjana2541 on YouTube for posting all the Nebelhorn vids!

And Full Nebelhorn results can be seen here.

Nebelhorn Trophy Results

2011-09-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Results are starting to trickle in. Click this link (this one...right here!) to see all the results.

2011 Nebelhorn

2011-09-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

This competition always gets me excited! I feel like it gets the major skating season underway even though Skate America is yet a month away...I don't care, I say begin! Skaters hit the ice Thursday.

This years' Nebelhorn I feel is like a show and tell. Show me what you've got and tell me if your worth it...if you will. What be I keepin' me eye on?

The Men: The Japanese upstart Yuzuru Hanyu and last season's surprise winner Tatsuki Machida. Looking to see if Hanyu has learned to reign in his excitement and add refinement and if Machida can bring the goods again. Denis Ten is competing and I'm still waiting for him to put an entire competition together and shock everyone. Last season was really a disaster for him...he needs a rebound. Michal Brezina, can he find his way to the top? And Americans Carriere and Aaron are in the mix. Stephen has been beset by so much bad luck the last two season's...is he back on track? And Aaron puts his foot in the "big boy" water...can he swim?

The Pairs: Newbies galore! Russia's Volosozhar and Trankov were amazing at last years' Worlds...can they keep it going? Dube and Wolfe...how will Jessica do with Sebastien as opposed to Bryce? And can Americans Denney and Coughlin live up to the hype?

The Women: If all things are equal this should boil down to Ksenia vs Mirai (in Figure Skating, things are often not equal though!). I think Mirai needs to win this...and I think she needs a big win.

The Dancers: Somewhat less explosive field. I'm interested to see how Hubbell and Donohue gel.

Recent Winners

2011-09-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Junior Grand Prix Final keeps ticking. Take a look at the winners over the past two weekends below:

Junior Grand Prix Australia:

Junior Grand Prix Poland

The Logo!

2011-09-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

I've picked a winner for the logo competition!I would like to thank everyone that entered! I had 27 logo's come my way...that's awesome!My hope is to unveil the logo and announce the winner at the beginning of October to coincide with the near-start of the Senior Grand Prix when my blog will really get thumping again as I'll be attending Skate America.Until then...wait in suspense!

JGP Australia

2011-09-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Check the Results from JGP Australia:

Winning!

2011-09-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a look at the winning Free's from JGP Latvia!

Full set of results can be seen here.

JGP Latvia Results

2011-09-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Results from Junior Grand Latvia are starting to trickle in...click the link below!

Summer Drought is Over!

2011-08-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

All right kids...it's high time I get back to blogging! The summer figure skating drought is nearing it's conclusion and I'm ready to get clicking on the keyboard again.

So what's new? Today is the last day you can submit a logo for me...so if you have a cool logo to design...get it in!

I booked my airfare to L.A. for Skate America...I will definitely be attending the event! I'm also going to be attending the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City!

Finally, the Junior Grand Prix get's started this week in Latvia. A pretty spiffy group of Junior skaters are competing. Keep an eye on them...you never know who will surprise you later in the season (i.e. Ricky Dornbush did last season)...

So what's new with all of you?

Chock and Bates Team Up

2011-07-15T07:36:00.001-07:00

Madison Chock (who formerly skated with Greg Zuerlein) and Evan Bates (who formerly skated with Emily Samuelson) have teamed up to form the newest U.S. Ice Dance Team.

I Need A Logo!

2011-07-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Axels, Loops, and Spins needs an Iconic Logo!

While I'm good at aesthetics I'm terrible with art/computer design/drawing/graphics stuff.

Here's what I'm proposing...a contest of sorts. If someone out there thinks they can create an Axels, Loops, and Spins logo, I'll:

*Give that person a $30 Amazon.com Certificate
*Send that person a t-shirt featuring the logo
*Forever acknowledge that person as the creator of the logo
*Thank them profusely

The logo should embody the name and feel of my website and somehow encompass figure skating. It should be a high resolution image and can be sent to my blog e-mail at skateblog102@gmail.com. I'll accept submissions NOW THRU AUGUST 30th.

Anyone up to the task? To get you started, I've posted some of my favorite logo's below...inspiration perhaps...all instantly recognizable.

The Sushi is Good

2011-07-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

What's Happening?

2011-07-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Can some explain to me what's happening in this video? Compulsory steps?

Staying Power?

2011-07-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

"I can't say anything right now. I'm really excited. It will be very good to compete in my own country."

That quote yesterday from Kim Yu-Na on PyeongChang's successful Olympic bid is now sending shockwaves through the figure skating community.

Did "The Queen" just commit herself through two more Olympics for the chance to compete at home? You must admit...it's tempting, and certainly not unheard of.

2006 Olympic Champ Evgeny Plushenko is extending his career for another go on home soil. In 2006, Fusar-Poli and Margalio and Silvia Fontana did the same. Todd Eldredge in 2002...it's a familiar story.

So does Kim Yu-Na have staying power?

I think yes. When the Olympics roll around in 2018 she'll be 27 years old. Sure, she'd certainly be one of the most "seasoned" skaters on the ice but with age comes experience. And while 27 isn't exactly the norm, it's certainly not unheard of. Maria Butyrskaya won a World Championship at 26. Irina Slutskaya was an Olympic Medalist at 27.

In short...it's doable.

I think she has to take a measured approach to skating and training. I don't think she can press full steam ahead for the next seven years, she'd kill herself. She has to know when to take it easy and know when to train hard. I believe we may be seeing the early beginning's of this with her limited competition schedule last season and a similar plan for next season.

I think Kim Yu-Na has an opportunity here. I don't think figure skating has had an icon like Kim since Michelle Kwan and she can mold the next, well...decade, into the Kim era. This could be big.

What are your thoughts? Does she have staying power?

3rd Times the Charm

2011-07-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Third time as an Olympic Bid City did the trick as PyeongChang, South Korea has been awarded the 2018 Olympic Games.

The bid effort, spearheaded by 2010 Olympic Champ Kim Yu-Na, was met by thunderous applause across Korea with the new theme, New Horizons, leading the way.

PyeongChang has one of the strongest public backings for an Olympic Games in recent history.

As the announcement came, the cheers in the room was counterbalanced by the respectful sullenness of those delegations not being awarded [I recall the pit in my stomach when Chicago missed out].

"I am lost for words about now," Kim Yu-Na told the Associated Press. "I can't say anything right now. I'm really excited. It will be very good to compete in my own country." A clue that, with this announcement, Kim may remain eligible for some time to come?

Kim, a pivotal part of the Pyeongchang candidacy, gave a final emotional pitch to the IOC en route to the first round win for the city.

President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea put it most elegantly and simply, "We worked hard, we'll make you proud."

2018 Olympics Awarded Tomorrow

2011-07-05T06:15:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will know the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Below is a rundown of the proceedings tomorrow in Durban:

Which city do you think will win the bid? Vote in the poll now ----->

Twitter Tops

2011-07-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Last October I looked at the who was the Top Figure Skating Tweeps out there. With a season now behind us...I decided to take another look to see where things currently stand in the skating "Twitterverse."

Here is the current Top 10 Figure Skating Tweeps:

#10 Daisuke Takahashi (14,405)

#9 Mirai Nagasu (15,568)

#8 Fumie Suguri (18,046)

#7 Miki Ando (22,363)

#6 Evgeny Plushenko (22,841)

#5 Kristi Yamaguchi (25,464)

#4 Joannie Rochette (26,868)

#3 Evan Lysacek (63,752)

#2 Johnny Weir (95,794)

#1 Kim Yu-Na (356,355)

There have been some change in the results. Japanese skaters are showing up on Twitter and they have big followings. Miki Ando, Daisuke Takahashi, and Fumie Suguri have all made the top 10. Only Nagasu held her ground to stay in the top 10 with Belbin, Chan, and Abbott all getting the boot! Past Ando the placements are unchanged. Women have taken over with 6 in the top 10. Kristi remains the only "Pro" skater to be in the field. Now, all the skaters are single skaters (with Belbin's exit). And the Queen (Kim) is still queen...in a huge way.

I decided to look at the numbers in a different way. Rather than looking at # of followers, I looked at % increase in followers which painted a different story. How do they rank (excpet Ando, Suguri, and Takahashi who I didn't have info on last Oct.) by percent increase of followers?

#9 Evan Lysacek + 8%

#8 Patrick Chan + 31% (No Longer in Top 10)

#7 Kim Yu-Na + 34%

#6 Mirai Nagasu + 34.5%

#5 Johnny Weir + 37%

#4 Jeremy Abbott + 41% (No Longer in Top 10)

#3 Joannie Rochette + 44%

#2 Kristi Yamaguchi + 66%

#1 Evgeny Plushenko + 91%

Wow! The Olympic Champ is struggling! In a more and more socially connected world he was only able to increase his Twitter following by 8%...yikes. The bright-lights of Vancouver are fading...might explain his recent indication that he may be returning to competition. I feel like that was a poor quarterly earnings report.

The rest of the field has made nice gains...but one crushes them all...Plushenko! He's almost doubled his Twitter following. This shows he has a dedicated social core and with his subsequent return to competition I suspect this number will continue to rise as well.

Why has Kristi Yamaguchi gained so many followers? Does someone know something I don't?

Really?

2011-07-02T10:23:00.001-07:00

Figure Skater Tessa Virtue gets a chance to chat with Prince William about her Olympic Win...but he'd rather talk about American Lindsey Vonn.

Awkward...

4th Annual Loop Axel Awards

2011-06-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Okay...part two! Big, Bang, Boom...I figured for the 4th of July I'd finish off my Loop Axels...sorry for the delay and without further delay...

The Nominations For Most Awesome Skating Move of the Season please...

"The Lift that Lasts Forever" - Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch
"Throw Quad Salchow" - Wenjing Sui and Cong Han
"Quad Toe - Triple Toe Combo" - Patrick Chan
"Basically any dance lift they've done this season" - Meryl Davis and Charlie White
"Throw Triple Salchow with 10 seconds left" - Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy

And the Winner is...that throw Quad Salchow Sui and Han was performing all season was a beast. I think he launched 1000 ft (not really but it seemed as so) across the ice and more often than not she was standing up on it. It was always clean but I give them tons of credit for always getting after it and making it standard in their repertoire of technical elements.

The Nominations for Hottest Skater please...

+ Brian Joubert
+ Kiira Korpi
+ Daisuke Takahashi
+ Maxim Trankov
+ Tatiana Volosozhar

And the winner is...be still my heart, Brian Joubert. Brian didn't have the best season and with next season perhaps being his final as an eligible skater (he only committed to training through Worlds in Nice) I thought it was high time this perennial hottie got his turn at the award. He flirted with some new choreography this past season that he never quite got comfortable with but somehow brought something out in Brian that I liked...I hope more is still to come.

The Nominations for the Twitterholic please...

Jeremy Abbott
Sarah Hughes
Alex Shibutani
Fumie Suguri
Johnny Weir

And the winner is...Johnny. Johnny Weir is tweeting non-stop! In his last tweet he thanked his mom for birthing him. Why not. Johnny, of course one of the most outspoken skaters out there, is just as witty and energetic online as he is on screen. Follow him @JohnnyGWeir

The Nominations for Best Coach please...

+ Kristy Krall
+ Nobuo Sato
+ Yuka Sato
+ Igor Shpilband
+ Ingo Steuer

And the winner is...Igor Shpilband. No brainer. Let's review the World Championship Dance Podium...all North American...all his teams...enough said.

The Nominations for Most Improved Skater please...

Florent Amodio
Alissa Czisny
Richard Dornbush
Takahiko Kozuka
Armin Mahbanoozadeh

And the winner is...No brainer #2 Alissa Czisny. Alissa 2.0 as I call her got her act together this season. Still some things around the edges to be smoothed but gone are the days when one mistake would lead to disaster. Now, one mistakes leads to steely determination to get done what's left. I like the new attitude!

The Nominations for Best New Face please...

+ Richard Dornbush
+ Kanako Murakami
+ Andrei Rogozine
+ Adelina Sotnikova
+ Sui Wenjing and Han Cong

And the winner is...When you look at Kanako Murakami you just smile! This bubbly star from Japan turned heads all season by landing herself onto multiple international podiums this past season. She's simply infectious and you can't help but love her.

The Nominations for Memorable Moment of the Season please...

Florent Amodio, in a fit of joy, hugs Brian Joubert at Europeans
Kevin Reynolds did how may quads in that Short Program?
Maia Shibutani's "OMG" face at Worlds
Standing ovation after Ryan Bradley's Nationals Short Program
Standing ovation after Volosozhar and Trankov's Worlds Free Skate

And the winner is...Florent's leap to Brian! It was too much! Florent was like a kid who just got the thing he wanted most for Christmas. He hugged his coach...giddied a bit more...lept into Brian's arms and the two of them did this bouncing bear-hug thing. I mean, at this point, Brian couldn't even be mad he lost! And even when the hug is "supposed" to be over...Florent does the secondary hug "re-reach."

The Nominations for Reader's Choice: Skater of the Year please...

Florent Amodio
Patrick Chan
Alissa Czisny
Meryl Davis and Charlie White
Carolina Kostner

And the winner is...This was so much closer than I thought it would be and at one point the lead switched and I thought, "wow." But the world righted itself and by a thin margin over Patrick Chan, Davis and White won the Axels, Loops, and Spins Readers Choice Award. Completely undefeated, they were in a word, astounding, this season. Much deserved.

Coaching Shuffle Recap

2011-06-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just to recap...

4/1/11 - Adam Rippon goes from Brian Orser to Ghislain Briand

5/17/11 - Caydee Denney leaves John Zimmerman and joins John Coughlin with Dalilah Sappenfield

6/3/11 - Agnes Zawadzki leaves Tom Zakrajsek and heads back to David Santee via Christy Krall

6/14/11 - Javier Fernandez announces he will begin training with Brian Orser, leaving Nikolai Morozov

6/14/11 - Ashley Wagner announces she'll head west and train with John Nicks, leaving Priscilla Hill

6/15/11 - Adam Rippon announces he'll train with Jason Dungjen, leaving temporary coach Ghislain Briand

So who's next...

@arlewis1 Tweeted:

Skating on Air

2011-06-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

I always think when when Figure Skating "Blogosphere" peers actually publish something it's so awesome, specially when it's about skating.

So one of the most unique voices in figure skating, Kelli Lawrence, has penned an new book Skating on Air: The Broadcast History of an Olympic Marquee Sport.

Kelli Lawrence: What I’ve done is trace figure skating’s story in terms of the way it has emerged as a top spectator sport—touching briefly on the skating carnivals, ballets, etc. of yesteryear, as well as the efforts of Sonja Henie pre and post-WWII, before digging into its televised history. The primary goals were to show the way TV/media has shaped the sport through the years, and vice versa… and, of course, to take a closer look at all the things that have transpired from the ’94 Winter Olympics, through the pro skating boom, the 2002 pairs judging scandal, the CoP judging system, etc. to bring skating to the place it is (or isn’t) on the TV map today.

Over 30 interviews with 30 broadcasters, skaters-turned-commentators, producers, programmers, executives, etc. representing most of the major networks (and a few of the "minor" ones) and a foreword by CBS’ Verne Lundquist, I can imagine the book will be a stellar read. Her musings on figure skating are some of my favorite. You can read her over at State of the Skate and you can get your hands on a copy of the book by clicking this link.

I also suggest Ice Charades by Jenny Hall.

Unexpected Hiatus

2011-06-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life throws you a curveball!

Sorry I've been absent [again] as of late. I'm currently in the middle of a job reorganization thingy! New office, new location, new city, new boss, new! It's a great thing but it's consuming my full attention currently.

When things settle I will definitely be back with the second half of the Loop Axel Awards and my usual Skate Banter.

Stay Tuned...

4th Annual Loop Axel Awards

2011-05-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

How I look forward every year to take a look back at the season and point out the highlights! Get out your best Tux and Gown...it's the 4th Annual Loop Axel Awards!

[Queue Oscar-like overture]

This 4th installment of this annual tradition comes complete with several new categories, many suggested by readers. Official stuff today...a little fun to come afterwards. Enough of my prattling...Today's categories are:

Best Ladies Free Skate
Best Pairs Free Skate
Best Free Dance
Best Men's Free Skate
Short Program of the Year
Best Forgotten Program
Worst Performance of the Year
Best Exhibition Piece (NEW)
Best Music Selection (NEW)
Best Choreography (NEW)
Competition of the Year (NEW)
Skater of the Year

The Nominations for Best Ladies Free Skate please...

Miki Ando - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Mao Asada - 2011 Japanese National Figure Skating Championships
Alissa Czisny - 2010 Grand Prix Final
Alena Leonova - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Sarah Meier - 2011 European Championships

And the winner is...I'm giving this one to Alissa Czinsy for her 2010 Grand Prix Final performance. It was like the program we all were holding our breath for. It didn't have complex movement but it's beauty was in its simplicity. There really is something to the saying "less is more." It was like a quiet whisper...soft and sweet.

The Nominations for Best Pairs Free Skate please...

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch - 2010 Skate Canada
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin - 2011 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships

And the winner is...Volosozahr and Trankov at this years World's. I fell in love with them at Russian Nationals and feel even deeper in love with them at World's. I find their skating to be exciting and I love that they bring me to the edge of my seat. Your eyes stay glued on Tatiana at every moment. Gush! I know they aren't as technically proficient as Savchenko and Szolkowy but I still love what they are cooking!

The Nominations for Best Free Dance please...

Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier - 2010 Skate Canada International
Meryl Davis and Charlie White - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Nathalie Péchalat and Fabian Bourzat - 2011 European Championships
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

And the winner is...No contest really, but obviously Meryl and Charlie's Free Dance from Worlds. They took that Tango to a different place, both technically and emotionally. Solid work from the American World Champs (how nice to finally be able to say that!).

The Nominations for Best Men's Free Skate please...

Patrick Chan - 2011 Canadian National Championships
Richard Dornbush - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Artur Gachinksi - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Takahiko Kozuka - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Adam Rippon - 2010 Japan Open

The winner is...Patrick Chan for going lights-out at the 2011 Canadian National Championships. Wow! I'm pretty sure I called that performance one of the greatest things put to ice. That was the first time we all kind of leaned back and said, "yep...he's got a good handle on those quads." Sometimes it all just clicks...and that skate...it clicked! Was very tempted to give this award to Takahiko for his World's free which I thought was endearing especially given the situation in Japan...but I couldn't ignore the two quads from Patrick.

The Nominations for Short Program of the Year please...

Florent Amodio - 2011 European Championships
Ryan Bradley - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Patrick Chan - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Nobunari Oda - 2010 Grand Prix Final
Qing Pang and Jian Tong - 2011 Four Continents Cup
Daisuke Takahashi - 2011 Four Continents Cup

And the winner is...I almost want to give it to Pang and Tong for being the only skaters other than Men's singles to make the nominee list. I feel almost obligated to give it to Patrick Chan for that whopper of a score he got at Worlds...but I'll give it to Ryan Bradley because, more than anyone on the list, you can tell he genuinely had the most fun. Also, that Short Program, helped win him his first National Title. Hat's off to you Ryan!

The Nominations for Best Forgotten Program please...

Miki Ando - 2010 Grand Prix Final [Free Skate]
Brian Joubert - 2011 European Championships [Free Skate]
Armin Mahbanoozadeh - 2010 Skate America [Free Skate]
Brandon Mroz - 2010 Cup of China [Free Skate]
Adam Rippon - 2010 Skate Canada International [Free Skate]

And the winner is...I'm going with Armin on this one. I thought he was pretty spectacular at Skate America in a field that kind of fizzled. It was one of the few times this year that the beautiful music of Avatar was really put to good use.

The Nominations for Worst Performance of the Year please...

Mao Asada - 2010 Japan Open [Free Skate]
Mao Asada - 2010 Trophy Eric Bompard [Short Program]
Joshua Farris - 2011 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships [Free Skate]
Rachael Flatt - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships [Free Skate]
Denis Ten - 2010 Skate America [Free Skate]

And the winner is...Joshua Farris at Nationals. This kid is going to do great things in the very near future but his Free Skate that night was not to be. You can tell Joshua expects a lot from himself and after that disaster of a performance he literally just cried, perhaps from the pain from having a bum ankle or perhaps because he just expects more from himself. It was so sad. I think everyone in the arena just wanted to give him a big hug and let him know that there will be a better day.

The Nominations for Best Exhibition Piece please...

Jeremy Abbott - "Rhythm of Love" by Plain White T's
Alissa Czisny - "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Barbara Streisand
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy - "Barbie Girl" by Aqua
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - "I Want To Hold Your Hand" from Across the Universe Soundtrack
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov - "Super Mario Bros." from Nintendo Super Mario Bros.

And the winner is...This is tough call...but I'm going with Virtue and Moir because they bring the music to life so beautifully. I could have gone on and one endlessly with various exhibition pieces but these are my faves from the seaason.

The Nominations for Best Music Selection please...

Jeremy Abbott - "Life is Beautiful" from the Life is Beautiful Soundtrack
Alissa Czisny - "Selections from Winter into Spring" by George Winston
Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov - "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss
Kim Yu-na - "Giselle" by Adolphe Adam
Daisuke Takahashi - "Historia de un Amor" and "Que Rico El Mambo" by Perez Prado
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - "Hip Hip Chindchin" by Club Des Belugas, "Temptation" by Diana Krall, and "Mujer Latina" by Thalia

And the winner is...Probably the best program this year that never got its due, Jeremy's Life is Beautiful program. What a gorgeous piece of music that just begged to be great. If there was any one program I wouldn't mind a skater reusing for a second year it would be this one...it never got its due.

The nominations for Best Choreography of the Year Please...

Patrick Chan - "Take Five" by Paul Desmond/Lori Nichol Choreographer
Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier - "Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney and John Lennon/Christopher Dean Choreographer
Meryl Davis and Charlie White - "Il Postino" by Luis Bacalov and "Forever Tango" by Lisandro Adrover/Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva Choreographers
Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov - "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy/Peter Tchernyshev Choreographer
Qing Pang and Jian Tong - "Nocturne in C Sharp minor" by Frédéric Chopin/Lori Nichol Choreographer
Shawn Sawyer - "Alice in Wonderland" from the Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack/Marie-France Dubreuil Choreographer

And the winner is...Oh so hard a choice! The choreography represented here is truly the cream of the crop. Six way tie? Not gonna let me off that easy? Ok ok...I'm going with Kavaguti and Smirnov. It was subtly beautiful while still exciting. Peter Tchernyshev really outdid himself here and Tamara Moskvina always knows where to add a little extra flourish. There are moments in this program where you can here a pin drop and the audience is breathless. They use every bit of the music to express the character of the piece. And the choreography seems simple while it's actually quite complex...not an easy feat to accomplish.

The nominations for Competition of the Year please...

2010 Grand Prix Final
2010 Japan Open
2010 Skate Canada
2010 Skate America
2011 World Figure Skating Championships

And the winner is...almost by default after an extraordinary season and massive change of event and venue, the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships. It was an event chock full of surprises, with an outpouring of love for those suffering in Japan, and a few amazing performances, and an historic event given the unusual timing. There were many great competitions this season but for reasons not needing explanation, this will be the most memorable.

The nominations for Skater(s) of the Year please...

Miki Ando
Patrick Chan
Alissa Czinsy
Meryl Davis and Charlie White
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy

And the winner is...not be confused with the Reader's Choice Award, this is my choice for whom I think is most deserving of the award. Decisions decisions. Do I give it to a skater that has made vast improvements? Do I give it to a team that has gone undefeated? Do I give the award to a record breaker? Do I give the award to a skater that brought hope to a nation that things might be better soon? This is my struggle for this award this year. In the end...I've decided to award the Skater of the Year award to Patrick Chan. Aside from setting records this season (I know, I know...Chanflation), he did something I really respect. I've long been a member of the camp that I'll take a well skated program sans quad to a badly skated one with a quad. Patrick Chan has long defended the well rounded skate even as other "quad veterans" hounded him about it (he did do a little "rebel rousing" himself from time to time). Well this season he just went ahead and shut everyone up by adding two quads (perfect ones at that) to his already well rounded skate. It made him a near unbeatable force combining the absolute best of both worlds. It shut up all the "non-quad" nay-sayers and for that alone I think he's most deserving of the award.

Thus concludes part one of the 4th Annual Loop Axel Awards. What surprises and twists and turns will happen in part two? Stay tuned...

Sticking It Out

2011-05-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Amidst all the splitting, switching, and retiring amongst the top U.S. Pairs teams the past couple of seasons, one has remained constant and will continue to be so through at least the immediate future.

Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig announced Tuesday they will continue international competition during the 2011-12 season and train in Ellenton, Florida under longtime coach Jim Peterson.

"They are 'staying in' because of their love of the sport, a desire to better themselves as competitors and to ultimately reach their potential as athletes," Jim Peterson told the Southwest Florida Skating Club.

While the announcement would suggest they're leaning towards a run at the Sochi Olympics, they formally announced those plans yet. "Mark and I have always had commitments on a yearly basis" Amanda said.

Well no matter their decision, kudos to them for sticking it out for as long as they have. We've learned keeping teams together is no easy feat and this team has managed to "beat the odds."

Fast Work

2011-05-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin have teamed up to become the newest U.S. Pairs team.

I'm kind of excited about this pairing. For me, both were the "more" stable forces in their previous pairings (Caitlin Yankowskas and Jeremy Barrett) and I think have an opportunity to be an exciting pair with a strong technical foundation. I think they have the potential to create the same kind of energy that a team like Volosozhar and Trankov create...it's a great, powerful, exciting energy.

So Caydee has joined John in Colorado Springs and will train with Dalilah Sappenfield.

"We're excited to start this new chapter in our careers. The partnership felt right from the start, and we were immediately comfortable on the ice together," Denney and Coughlin said in the press release. "While we are grateful for the success we have enjoyed in the past, we look forward to the opportunity that lies ahead."

Oh the jigsaw that is American Pairs skating...

4th Annual Loop Axel Award Nominations

2011-05-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Without further discussion...

The Nominations for Best Ladies Free Skate please...

Miki Ando - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Mao Asada - 2011 Japanese National Figure Skating Championships
Alissa Czisny - 2010 Grand Prix Final
Alena Leonova - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Sarah Meier - 2011 European Championships

The Nominations for Best Pairs Free Skate please...

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch - 2010 Skate Canada
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin - 2011 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships

The Nominations for Best Free Dance please...

Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier - 2010 Skate Canada International
Meryl Davis and Charlie White - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Nathalie Péchalat and Fabian Bourzat - 2011 European Championships
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

The Nominations for Best Men's Free Skate please...

Patrick Chan - 2011 Canadian National Championships
Richard Dornbush - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Artur Gachinksi - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Takahiko Kozuka - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Adam Rippon - 2010 Japan Open

The Nominations for Short Program of the Year please...

Florent Amodio - 2011 European Championships
Ryan Bradley - 2011 U.S. National Championships
Patrick Chan - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Nobunari Oda - 2010 Grand Prix Final
Qing Pang and Jian Tong - 2011 Four Continents Cup
Daisuke Takahashi - 2011 Four Continents Cup

The Nominations for Best Forgotten Program please...

Miki Ando - 2010 Grand Prix Final [Free Skate]
Brian Joubert - 2011 European Championships [Free Skate]
Armin Mahbanoozadeh - 2010 Skate America [Free Skate]
Brandon Mroz - 2010 Cup of China [Free Skate]
Adam Rippon - 2010 Skate Canada International [Free Skate]

The Nominations for Worst Performance of the Year please...
*The intention of this award is not to be mean or spiteful. All skaters have a bad day for one reason or another and this is a reminder that there are better days ahead. Remembering the worst makes us appreciate the best.

Mao Asada - 2010 Japan Open [Free Skate]
Mao Asada - 2010 Trophy Eric Bompard [Short Program]
Joshua Farris - 2011 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships [Free Skate]
Rachael Flatt - 2011 World Figure Skating Championships [Free Skate]
Denis Ten - 2010 Skate America [Free Skate]

The Nominations for Best Exhibition Piece please...

Jeremy Abbott - "Rhythm of Love" by Plain White T's
Alissa Czisny - "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Barbara Streisand
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy - "Barbie Girl" by Aqua
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - "I Want To Hold Your Hand" from Across the Universe Soundtrack
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov - "Super Mario Bros." from Nintendo Super Mario Bros.

The Nominations for Best Music Selection please...

Jeremy Abbott - "Life is Beautiful" from the Life is Beautiful Soundtrack
Alissa Czisny - "Selections from Winter into Spring" by George Winston
Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov - "Also sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss
Kim Yu-na - "Giselle" by Adolphe Adam
Daisuke Takahashi - "Historia de un Amor" and "Que Rico El Mambo" by Perez Prado
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - "Hip Hip Chindchin" by Club Des Belugas, "Temptation" by Diana Krall, and "Mujer Latina" by Thalia

The nominations for Best Choreography of the Year Please...

Patrick Chan - "Take Five" by Paul Desmond/Lori Nichol Choreographer
Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier - "Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney and John Lennon/Christopher Dean Choreographer
Meryl Davis and Charlie White - "Il Postino" by Luis Bacalov and "Forever Tango" by Lisandro Adrover/Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva Choreographers
Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov - "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy/Peter Tchernyshev Choreographer
Qing Pang and Jian Tong - "Nocturne in C Sharp minor" by Frédéric Chopin/Lori Nichol Choreographer
Shawn Sawyer - "Alice in Wonderland" from the Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack/Marie-France Dubreuil Choreographer

The nominations for Competition of the Year please...

2010 Grand Prix Final
2010 Japan Open
2010 Skate Canada
2010 Skate America
2011 World Figure Skating Championships

The nominations for Skater(s) of the Year please...

Miki Ando
Patrick Chan
Alissa Czinsy
Meryl Davis and Charlie White
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy

And that's only half! The show is running long this year! The other half will come after I announce these winners.

The Pitch

2011-05-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

The race to determine the site of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games is tighter than anyone had ever predicted. PyeongChang, South Korea was always considered the front runner but Munich has stepped up and has given PyeongChang a run for it's money.

So at the Technical Briefing set for this week in Lausanne at the IOC Headquarters, the PyeongChang organizing committee has brought in it's top weapon; Kim Yu-na.

"I have been a member of this great bid team for many months as part of our Athletes Committee and it is special for me to be able to speak directly to the IOC about our unique vision for the Winter Games," Kim told reporters as she departed for Lausanne.

"Yu-na has been incredibly supportive as we prepared and developed our Winter Games Plan and we now look forward to presenting our bid to the IOC. She has played a key role offering advice about the sports venues plan, and we want to ensure convenience, comfort and a great setting for outstanding athletic performances in 2018," said bid chair Yang Ho Cho in a statement.

The race for the 2018 Games has gotten fierce as Munich and PyeongChang have emerged as very strong candidate cities. Munich has been backed by another figure skating super-star, Katarina Witt, who will give the pitch this week for Germany. "As a former athlete it is fantastic to be here in Lausanne - the birthplace of the modern Olympic Movement. But even more important is the chance we have here to make a real impact on the IOC members just as we enter the final stages of our candidature. After our excellent feedback from the IOC Evaluation Commission last week, we are looking forward to sharing our Festival of Friendship concept," said Witt upon arriving in Lausanne.

Who could have predicted two of figure skating's greatest athletes would go head-to-head off the ice!

Annecy, France is the third bid city for the 2018 Games but is thought by most Olympic insiders to be a long-shot given Munich and PyeongChang's candidacy.

May 18th and May 19th, all three Cities will give their technical pitch to the IOC. The IOC will decide the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics at the 123 IOC Congress in Durban, South Africa July 6th.

Another One Bites the Dust

2011-05-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ah Spring...Tis the Season for Partnership Endings. In this chapter, Brother/Sister duo of Madison and Keiffer Hubbell call it an end.

"We wish to thank all our friends and fans for years of support," the Hubbells said in a Press Release. "We extend a special thanks to our coaches, Pasquale Camerlengo, Angelika Krylova, Elizabeth Swallow, Natalia Annenko-Deller and Britta Ottoboni, and to everyone at the Detroit Skating Club."

The team had good success on the Junior Level. Madison will continue competing Ice Dance with Zach Donohue while Keiffer "evaluates" options.

Oh Ryan...

2011-05-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Some people just have "it."

Anyone who is a fan of Ryan Bradley knows exactly what I'm talking about. Today, after a Senior career that spanned an impressive 12 years, Ryan Bradley has made the decision to leave competitive skating. In true Ryan Bradley style he tweeted "Buh Byyyyyyyyeeee!!!"

International Competition was usually not his cup of tea (and honestly who cares)but he will undoubtedly be remembered for delighting audiences on the National Stage. How nice, that in his final season as competitive skater, all those laughs and smiles were rewarded with a National Title.

I hope (God I hope!) that Ryan continues to entertain crowds as he always has and I wish him luck in anything he does.

How about a trip down memory lane...

Reader's Choice for Skater of the Year

2011-05-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Follow this Link to Vote for Skater of the Year for the Loop Axel Awards! The skaters you choose include:

Florent Amodio, Patrick Chan, Alissa Czisny, Davis and White, and Carolina Kostner.

Happy Voting!

VOTE HERE

Upgrade Pains

2011-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

As part of my process of making some changes to the site and such...I'm going to be deleting my Facebook Profile and redoing and relinking some things.

A new Facebook Site will soon be up so be sure to re-add me once it's up and running!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

2011-05-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Can someone answer me why the shelf-life for American Pairs Teams is nil? No wonder we constantly struggle in this discipline!

If you didn't catch this in the news wires...Yankowskas and Coughlin have decided it's the end. "I will forever cherish the memories and successes that John and I had together," Yankowskas said in a statement to US Figure Skating. "I respect and support John unconditionally with his future endeavors."

So Caitlin is looking for a new partner, John is 'weighing options' (whatever that means), and yet another U.S. Champion Pair Teams bites the dust.

Loop Axel Awards: Reader's Choice

2011-05-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

It's time again for the annual Loop Axel Awards! Last year, there was such a huge response to the Reader's Choice Award I've brought it back again this season.

Between now and next Sunday at 10:00 PM CST, send me your vote for who you think the Skater of the Year is. You can e-mail me, tweet me, leave your vote in the comments below this post, tell me on Facebook, however you want to do it! I'll keep tabs and the top 5 will go into a poll on my site where you can vote for who you think is most deserving of the Reader's Choice Award.

It's been a very unusual skating year...who will win?

p.s. I'm also looking for fun suggestions for Award categories...feel free to toss out an idea if you have one!

Rachael Flatt - Mirai Nagasu Debacle

2011-05-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

It was sad to watch...Rachael Flatt totally tanking in the free skate after a less than great short program. Then we learn after the fact that she had a stress fracture...diagnosed on April 22nd.

The question is...should Rachael Flatt have immediately decided at that moment to quick call Mirai Nagasu and say "I'm under the weather...get thee to Moscow!" A conundrum indeed...

To add to the intrigue, Frank Caroll piped up yesterday and said of his student "Mirai is in great shape - better than she has been her whole life. She took the responsibility of being ready as the alternate very seriously. She was doing triple axels and triple lutz - triple loop in practice. She was ready to go." He continued "This cost us three spots." He even went further when Phil Hersh pressed him on the fact that Nagasu's presence at the competition couldn't necessarily guarantee three U.S. berths next season "She blew those other American girls (Flatt and Czisny) out of the water at Four Continents."

Ballsy!

Tom Zakrajsek contends that Rachael was capable of doing all the elements in both her short and free and that is why they made the decision to come to Moscow. Over the course of two shoddy skates and and a couple press conferences the news slowly came out that she was injured and then eye brows were raised.

From my perspective, Rachael, injured or not, had the right to skate in Moscow. She outskated Mirai in Greensboro and earned her spot fair and square. I personally think she shouldn't have gone to Moscow but there is no rule in place that says she has to withdraw so I guess that's where it is. She could of been the bigger person here and put U.S. Figure Skating ahead of her wants/hopes...sad she didn't.

It brings up the bigger question however, should U.S. Figure Skating have a mechanism in place that automatically forces the withdrawal of a skater from major championships if there is a known injury that could affect performance? Food for thought...

Best of the 2011 Worlds

2011-05-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Just decided to throw up my fave performances from last week.

What were your faves?

Dance Attack in Moscow

2011-05-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

I must admit...I didn't see that one coming, especially after the Short Dance where I thought it was written on the wall! It's always nice when Dance results are surprising.

For me, this was the best of all the free skates. The top five in particular I thought were all great. This was helped I think by Pechalat and Bourzat skating first and having that oh-so-untimely fall. They got up and kept going but the rest of the field suddenly had a chance to get after a medal and they all went for it. Even Bobrova and Soloviev, who I don't traditionally like, I thought got after their music with gusto and passion, helped along by the Russian crowd.

But the podium! If you asked me in the 90's if a day would come when North America would sweep a podium, with two American teams on it, one winning the Gold, I would tell you "that's crazy talk!" Well...that day has arrived with Meryl Davis and Charlie White skating lights-out to take the World Ice Dance Title. In the year of the Tango, I've never been the biggest fan of this program. At Nationals even seeing it live, I wasn't crazy about the music but I've always respected the difficulty and precision they give the dance. However, at World's, my perception of this dance totally changed as they went for the dance with everything they had and then some. Charlie, working his but off out there, showing a little chest hair, not gonna lie...kind of sexy. Loved the attack and the passion and LOVED that the U.S. finally has won a World Dance Title...long time in the making.

Let's talk about the Olympic Champs who made their season debut at this competition. I loved their free dance! What a departure for them...I felt like I was watching scenes from "Strictly Ballroom." Ummmm...Scott Moir can shake his little booty! Pretty impressive considering they've been out all season. I hope they keep this dance because if they polish it a bit more it can really sizzle.

And priceless moment of the season, Maia Shibutani's reaction to realizing they hit the podium! Igor just kept saying, "You're going to medal at Worlds," and she had that look of sheer disbelief on her face. Talk about up-and-comers! We've known for a couple years now that team Shibs was something special but to, in your first season as Seniors, medal at Worlds...that's really something.

Can we say, Igor Shpilband, is the MAN! Who coaches an entire Ice Dance Podium!

Ladies Finale in Moscow

2011-04-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

First off, that short program was damn unusual. The Russian skaters are skating their butts off this week and wow Alena and Ksenia! Where did that come from...I had written them off long ago and here they were saying yohoo! Alissa getting through a World's SP without major mistake...unusual...lovely...but unusual. On the flip side Rachael doubling a lutz, what? Mao Asada in 7th...huh? About the most unsurprising thing in that short program was Kim Yu-Na winning it even after stepping out of her lutz...hush, I'll leave it alone.

I almost fell asleep through the first 18 skaters, what a snoozefest! About the only performance I really liked out of those first 18 skaters was Mao Asada's. It wasn't perfect but I loved seeing the soft Mao back...good things to come I think for her. And what's up with Rachael? All the singling of jumps, way out of character: "Paging Mirai Nagasu...paging Mirai Nagasu please." Wow. Two-fer for the U.S. again next year.

The final group was interesting if not for the unusual sense of drama that was created by Kim being the slim leader and both Russian ladies in the final group. Miki Ando...she did what she has done all season; she jumps her butt off and figuratively (get it?) says "try to do better..." Well on this night, no one could. And she was crowned World Champion...much to the delight of Japan I'm sure which could really use a Champion right now!

I have to take a moment to talk about Kim Yu-Na's free skate. Seeing it in competition full-out, I wasn't that impressed. It pails in comparison to the magnificent free skates she has had the past three seasons. I don't know if it was that it didn't have enough mileage (that's the risk you run by not competing until World's), that weird middle music where it sounds like someone is moaning (or in fact someone is moaning...), or just that she didn't have the spark she had last season but I found myself half disinterested the whole way through that program. I totally think she deserved the silver cause even on her worst days she's better than most the field but the music and program didn't work for me (loved the choreo to Giselle though!).

As per usual, Carolina finds her way to a bronze medal...I liked that she added the Flip back in...now we just need the Lutz. I also liked that Alissa 2.0 was again present. Remember Alissa 1.0...the one that would fall on a jump and the whole program would go "kaput?" Not Alissa 2.0, after falling on that opening lutz she pulled it together to finish strong. 5th place, not to bad and a big step up from her previous World's appearance. And what about Alena Leonova! I had forgot that she even existed and she shows up in Moscow all bewitched out and hits her programs as if she were channeling Irina Slutskaya (who was clenching fists during her program). It was like the bubbly Alena from 2009 that everyone loved decided to come back back. And how about this, Alena and Ksenia together will earn three Russian spots at next years World's...who saw that coming?!?!

World Championships Pairs Rundown

2011-04-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

A year late I finally watched the Pairs Free. For the record, I made sure to have all the hard work taken care of at my job by this week and sure to form it has piled back up as if they somehow knew Worlds was this week. Ugh!

Anywho I don't think there was a lot of surprise amongst the Pairs. For me, the performance of the night was by far Volosozhar and Trankov...I love this team...LOVE THEM! They made my Prokofiev filled heart leap! I would have given them the win as I find Savchenko and Szolkowy's Pink Panther juvenile and beneath them but I'm not a judge so I guess I'll go with it.

Other highlights included Yankowskas and Coughlin's very nice performance. 6th place...not to shabby for the Americans, the best finish for the U.S. in some time. Loved Kavaguti and Smirnovs's performance despite the technical mistakes, Moskinva is brilliant with interpretation.

Lessons learned from these Worlds in Pairs: Land your side-by-side jumps, have bright blonde hair will skate well, and Russia is back in Pairs (China...what happened?).

I'm not going to even try to give a Dance rundown until the competition is over...I think we all know how that one will play out...I think.

2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Ladies

2011-04-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

First, I hope this isn't the hot mess that the men where!

Favorites
Miki Ando and Kim Yu-Na are the two to beat, and really it's Kim Yu-Na's to win or lose. I thought after not competing for a year she would be a bit rusty. Nieyt! Triple-Triple combos look as good as ever. It's odd seeing her in practice sessions without Orser. Miki Ando would need to have the skate of the century and hope Kim made an error or two to win another World Title. She did have a win at the Four Continents Cup which may give her some confidence heading in. If I were a betting man (and clearly, I am!)...the good money is on Kim.

Spoilers
Bust the cast of would be spoilers is oh-so-juicy! Alissa Czisny is waltzing her way through a dream season. Skate Canada (check), Grand Prix Final (check), U.S. Nationals (check)...worlds? She stumbled in Taipei so you have to wonder if her confidence is shaken. Also in the field is Mao Asada who was the pits at the start of the season but has slowly gotten stronger with each competition. In Moscow, she looks her old self hitting triple axels like they are easy and triple triple combos like the sort that earned her accolades earlier in her career. Is she ready to go toe-to-toe with Kim again? She's the defending champion...is she ready to defend? Also in the spoiler list is dynamo Kanako Murakami and Rachael Flatt. Carolina Kostner is in the mix too but her watered down repertoire might not make the cut at worlds (but she pulls points from thin air so I'm likely wrong!). Don't count out Kiira Korpi either. The Finnish beauty also pulls points out of nowhere.

Dark Horses
Given the men's final I don't rule anything out so just for fun watch Cynthia Phaneuf (top 5 finish at worlds last year!), Team Russia (Makarova and Leonova...the judges seem to be going easy on the Russians), and Elena Gedevanishvili. Hey...stranger things have happened?!?!?!

p.s. You haven't seen my breakdown of Pairs...because I haven's seen Pairs! I plan to do this sometime between o'dark 30 and o'light 30!

Men's Breakdown in Moscow

2011-04-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

WTF?

The short program was a hot mess in my opinion as far as the judging goes. The free skate...where to begin! Skaters were all over the place, skaters still couldn't count, favorites fell, non favorites didn't fall, lyrics were in, and records (unbelievably) were set.

Speedy...get a grip on your Championships!

Let me begin with the short program where I was seething over the results! My three biggest issues was the low scoring of Ross Miner, the atmospheric scoring of Patrick Chan, and basically a good deal of the scoring inbetween. I am pleased as punch that Ross Miner skated so well in the short...and then he kept getting pushed down lower and lower and lower...and by skaters that weren't putting together half the performance he did. I was ticked. Skater after skater, mistake after mistake, higher placement after higher placement. I get it, Ross doesn't have the skating skills that some of the others do but he isn't a total novice. C'mon, one of the skaters that finished higher than Ross not only botched a quad, but failed to do a combination jump...that's right...three non-combo'd jumps! Please brother brother please! And then Patirck Chan. That short program score was, as someone on Twitter called it, "Chanflated." He was easily the winner of the short program; hell, I agree that he deserved to win the whole thing, but that score was out of control. Patrick proved the saying "You can't win it in the short program but you can loose it" wrong...ummm he won it.

The free skate was a hot mess. Again some scoring oddities for Miner who again was undermarked (but rightfully so was the highest placed U.S. man in the free, Dornbush finished the highest overall). The final two groups had me at the end of my chair. Joubert, who is going through an identity crisis, seemingly skated well but made barely any forward progress to finish an unimpressive 8th (first time since 2005 he didn't make the podium). The real humdinger came in the free when Chan kicked the group off with landing two quads and instantly sealing his victory. Verner choked, Takahashi choked, then Artur Gachinski (who only God knows how was in 4th place after the short) had the Plushenkoesque skate of his life to hit the podium. Nobunari Oda again has counting issues doing three triple toe-loops!

The highlight of it all was Takahiko Kozuka who came through clutch with the skate of his life, quad combo included! Patrick Chan was expected to do well...everyone hoped Kozuka would, and he did, and that made it special. Lots of support for Team Japan in the audience and a Silver well earned after the longest week of any of the competitors since he skated in (and won) the qualifying round.

Florent Amodio ended the night with a perfect opportunity to hit his first World Podium...instead he opted to entertain the audience with his One Republic/Black Eyed Peas/Michael Jackson medley...complete with lyrics! In true French style he gave a big middle finger to the judges and did what he wanted. Don't know if the payoff was worth the rule breaking.

At the end of it all...I want a men's redeux! I feel like that was the most haphazard thing put to ice in sometime.

2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Pairs

2011-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

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.

2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Men

2011-04-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

This seems as jam packed a field as ever. In a post Olympic year, who could honestly have imagined such a strong field of contenders from all over the globe!

Favorites
I see two skaters entering this event as "co-favorites" if you will. Reigning World Champion Daisuke Takahashi and Grand Prix Final Champ Patrick Chan. Both skaters ooze component scores that are out of this world and are both technically consistent. For both of these skaters I think the key to the competition lies in one word: QUAD. Both have it, Chan's looks a little steadier this season, both will need it. Takahashi comes off a win in Tapei at the Four Continents Championships, Chan comes off the skate of a lifetime at Canadian Nationals...both look ready to take the title!

Spoilers
Past the favorites there is quite a list of would be spoilers. Just to list them: Tomas Verner, Florent Amodio, Brian Joubert, Takahiko Kozuka, and Nobunari Oda. All have had moments of brilliance this season with the exception of uber-veteran Joubert who has looked less than stellar for the better part of the season. Verner, Oda, and Joubert bring experience while Amodio and Kozuka bring youthful vigor...should be fun to watch it play out!

Dark Horses
Lurking quietly in the background are the ones no one expects will contend for the medals but may just surprise us. Among them, Team USA with Ryan Bradley, Richard Dornbush, and Ross Miner. Richard looks the most put together of the three with consistent skates this season. Ryan Bradley, if the quads and axels are with him, could be formidable. Miner with his quick speed and charming personality could also surprise. Also on the would be list include: Javier Fernandez, Denis Ten, Artur Gachinski, Samuel Contesti, and Michal Brezina.

Destination Moscow

2011-04-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

Showtime!

It's been a while since I've blogged but the time has come for me to return to the blogosphere...just in time for the delayed World Figure Skating Championships.

And what a place to begin...with these World Championships, delayed due to the tragedy in Japan. Even though I didn't blog about about it, I want the people of Japan to know that I am thinking about them everyday. And for these special World Championships, all patriotism aside, I'm rooting for Team Japan!

There is some Preliminary Round action happening prior to the short programs beginning Wednesday. I'll kind of post my thoughts as the competition in Moscow unfolds.

It's great to be back in the blogging seat. It's been hard to be away. Thanks to everyone out there for being patient with me.

Aaron

Construction

2011-04-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

The vast majority of the heavy lifting at work is almost done and I will begin blogging again soon. I'm making some changes so look forward to some updates soon!

Brief Hiatus

2011-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

As you can see, I haven't blogged much lately.

I was so bummed by the outcome of the mens free skate at Nationals I went into a skating coma.

Anywho...work is crazy busy right now so I can't devote the time I want to the the blog so I've opted to just suspend operations until April. I'm going to rework the site a bit...update...and get back on track.

Anywho...see everyone in April.

U.S. Nationals - Goosebumps

2011-01-30T07:56:00.000-08:00

The skaters that walked away yesterday as Champions all gave me goosebumps as they performed!

In Pairs, Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin put a spell on the audience. Their Ave Maria free seemed to float an inch above the ice. It was like watching two clouds move wistfully around the rink...just gorgeous! "Masterful" I believe was the word I tweeted. There were even some tears here and there. I've never seen them skate so in tune with each other and the audience...it was an absolute joy to watch! My favorite moment was John grabbing Caitlin at the end and just turning her around having her look at the crowd and the love they were pouring on them. Yep...I was one of the people with tears!

Meryl Davis and Charlie White really had no competition here so they had to find a way to motivate themselves. I was awestruck by the fact that they could have come to Greensboro and just did okay and still won...but didn't. They gave 1000% in their free dance on route to their 3rd title. This has been the year of the Tango and it has taken some time for that Free Dance to grow on me. However, seeing it in person made me appreciate it even more.

Alissa Czisny has been a different skater this year. I was beyond nervous before she skated. She looked confident in the warm-up but we all know the history with Alissa. She skated just like she has been skating all season...with good speed, landed jumps, and a level of artistry few in the field posses. We took a breath with each jump she landed...we didn't dare breathe before hand. You could feel the crowd behind her, wanting her to do this. As she began her final spin, the crowd was already getting to it's feet. I'm calling her Alissa 2.0...the old Alissa seems gone and a new, confident, prepared, and competitive Alissa is here (did you see the fight for that triple loop...Alissa 1.0 would have went down). In 2009, I was like "Did Alissa just win Nationals?" This year I am, "Oh yeah, Alissa won Nationals!"

Other noteworthy performances included Denney and Barrett's bronze. Their year continues to be a little off...but they got a little redemption in the free. The other two Ice Dance teams on the podium, Maia and Alex Shibutani and Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein, both had excellent programs and I think them along with Davis and White represent a very strong Ice Dance presence in Tokyo. And if you get a chance to see...watch Joelle Forte's free. She is so fun to watch and you can tell she really loves what she does.

U.S. Nationals - The Shorts

2011-01-28T21:52:00.000-08:00

So I will pass on blogging about the ladies and pairs short programs...I wasn't there. But I can tell you I completely forgot Rockne was in fact competing here in Greensboro with Mary Beth Marley...I had to get reminded on Twitter. They are in fact in 3rd place behind Evora and Ladwig who are second...Yankowskas and Coughlin lead. Reigning Champs Denney and Barrett needing a comeback in 4th.

For the ladies Mirai Nagasu leads the way, followed very closely by Czisny and Flatt. Nice three way battle for the two available World Team spots.

I'll blog in full about the Pair and Ladies Free Skate as I will be at the events.

But I will talk a bit about Ice Dance...no shock here that Davis and White lead big after a satisfying effort in the Short Dance. They were obviously the class of the field. I was very surprised at how well Maia and Alex Shibutani did at keeping up with Meryl and Charlie. The judges didn't quite give them the due I thought they deserved but nonetheless they skated great. Chock and Zuerlein are currently in line to nab the bronze. Barring big problems I'm near certain that will be your dance podium in that order.

The men were very exciting. The leader is Ryan Bradley who went for broke and brought the house down. Huge Quad/Triple Combo and Triple Axel, cute choreography, and audience repoire that wouldn't quit was just the recipe to nab the top spot. Jeremy Abbott had the lead for a good chunk of the short program nailing his skate (but no quad). Brandon Mroz is currently third after hitting a quad of his own. Young Keegan Messing impressed his way to 4th place and Douglas Razzano hit another quad to make the top 5. Adam Rippon finds himself in 9th after a disappointing skate.

Where I was sitting there was some discussion about Ryan's marks and if he should have actually won the short. I believe that Jeremy's program is far more complex but Ryan delivered the jumping goods...so long as it's close, I'm okay either way.

Tomorrow brings our first round of frees...get excited. I'll keep tweeting from the arena even though I can't respond back to your messages.

Men and Pairs in Greensboro

2011-01-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

The Senior events begin tomorrow and my next blog post will be from Greensboro! Be sure to follow me here as well on Twitter for updates!

The Pairs competition in Greensboro could be close. The prevailing faves, Denney and Barrett, have not skated up to par this season despite having more sophisticated programs from David Wilson (perhaps that's the issue). Their rock solid consistency is brought into question and we are left to wonder if they will deliver. If you ask me, the good money is still on them, but they may be challenged here. One of those challenging teams will likely be Yankowskas and Coughlin who have looked their best this season with strong results on the Grand Prix. Artistically they are the class of the field but consistency has been an issue in the past. If they are clean, they can waltz past Denney and Barrett. The other team in the mix is Evora and Ladwig, Denney and Barrett's former training partners and Olympic Teammates. They represent the middle ground of technical content and artistry amongst the three top teams and perhaps that steady consistency between technicality and artistry may prevail.

The men is what I'm looking forward to the most. Up front and center...Jeremy Abbott. He is the class of the field...hopefully with equipment issues behind him he can successfully defend his title and go for the 3-peat. Toughest competition will likely come from Adam Rippon who has shown flashes of brilliance this season. If he can keep his composure and skate well...he'll figure in nicely. The other guy that could give Abbott a run for the money...Brandon Mroz. He has looked solid this season, especially so in Beijing when he had the skate of his life. If he has the success with the quad he had in China, he may be the one to spoil Abbott's party. Behind these three is a talented group of men that includes Ryan Bradley (is he really there...couldn't believe it when I saw him on the list!), Armin Mahbanoozadeh (great showing at Skate America), Ross Miner (junior turned senior on the rise), and several other successful junior level skaters. It'll be fun!

Next stop Greensboro!

Greensboro Bound!

2011-01-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I embark for Greensboro...it feels good to be going back to Nationals (and to take a few days off work). Missing Nationals last year killed me. People who read my blog know...I don't miss Nationals!

So looking at Nationals, things seem fairly up in the air as far as the ladies are concerned. I see it as a 7 lady race...with Alissa Czisny the 2009 Champ and Rachael Flatt the reigning champ coming in as the co-favorites. Czisny is coming off a huge win at the Grand Prix Final and seems to be skating better than ever. Flatt, struggled at the Grand Prix Final while dealing with an injury, says she now healthy and ready to compete in Greensboro. Chasing these two are five other ladies including the 2008 Champ Mirai Nagasu. While she missed making the Grand Prix Final, she did nab a medal in Paris for the first time on the Grand Prix and looks to be skating fairly well. Also in the mix is Ashley Wagner, Agnes Zawadzki, Christina Gao, and Caroline Zhang. Ashley has a shot at winning if she can put her jumps down cleanly rotated and on one foot. Agnes has been stellar in the short program this season only to come undone in the free...she'll need to put to programs together to be competitive. Christina turned heads last season as the junior turned senior on the rise...will she continue her forward momentum? Finally, Caroline has had better days on the ice but she seems to have made great strides artistically...hopefully she's made strides technically as she has attempted to manage a growth spurt.

Dance...barring cataclysmic seismic events...Davis and White should grab the Gold with no trouble whatsoever. They've looked impressive on the Grand Prix with no one even close to be competitive with them. The interesting battle will be the silver/bronze race between the Shibutani's, the Hubbell's, and Chock and Zuerlein. I give the upper hand to the Shibutani's, but Chock and Zuerlein have looked good this season as well. The Hubbell's...some make up work to do.

Later, I'll preview the Pairs and Men.

Back to B.C.

2011-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

Canadian Nationals just wrapped in Victoria. Victoria is hop across the water from Vancouver which still (always) has a warm place in my heart.

There was very little in the way of surprises at Canadian Nationals. In Ice Dance, it was a really close battle between Crone and Poirier and Weaver and Poje. Barely over a point separated the two teams with Crone and Poirier barely squeaking the win with their much heralded Beatles Free Dance. Paul and Islam did a nice job in capturing the bronze...but they will likely be the odd ones out assuming the Olympic Champs Virtue and Moir return to competition next month.

No big surprise amongst the women either with Cynthia Phaneuf capturing another title (she last accomplished the task in 2004...7 year gap, that's patience). With Rochette not competing she was the easy front runner. Not an especially difficult program but good enough on the night for the win. Cynthia spends so much time trying to be a pretty skater...I wish she would stop trying to cut against the grain and just be channel her inner Slutskaya and be a muscle skater...it suits her better.

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch easily won the pairs competition. With Dube and Davison out due to Bryce's knee it was clear sailing for the Canadian duo that has turned heads this season with big tricks and unexpected presence. I think this team has the real possibility of cracking the top six at World's.

Finally, the big story of the event was Patrick Chan. Patrick, who didn't just win (as we all expected), but rather won with a flawless performance that rivals some of the best performances ever put to ice. If he skates like this in Tokyo...I don't know that anyone can catch him. He looks better every time he takes the ice and those quads are impressive. Bravo Patrick Chan, bravo!

Check the full results here.

Next Post: Ladies and Dance rundown of U.S. Nationals

Revisiting Russian Nationals

2011-01-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

Ah Saransk...

City of few hotels, cheap taxis, and adjoining rivers...how interesting thou are. Even more interesting is the fact that last month the city played host to the Russian National Championships.

If you look at the results I don't think there is a whole lot that one wouldn't expect. The men's winner, Konstantin Menshov, reeled off two quads in a Plushenkoesque Michael Jackson free skate that brought modest applause from the audience at the end. My favorite part is the 45 seconds or so you spend in an Aviary...

In pairs, new champions were crowned when newly formed team of Volosozhar and Trankov threw done a very solid program to Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. The two sets of side-by-side triple jumps were super impressive. This team can't compete internationally just yet but when they do they'll be top contenders.

For ice dance, Bobrova and Soloviev have solitified themselves as the top Russian team moving forward. I'm not sure they are quite yet ready to be considered top contenders yet (although they did place 4th at the Grand Prix Final), they are certainly a team to watch going forward (as are the gazillion Russian Junior Teams). Russia barely hit the ice dance podium in 2010...lots of work to do before 2014 when the Olympics are in Russia.

Finally the ladies, where young Adelina Sotnikova jumped her little butt off on her way to a win. She's only 14 so we wont see her at Europeans or Worlds but there is a spark here! In other news, Ksenia Makarova finished 5th...wamp wamp.

Someone did a nice job of organizing the full results on Wikipedia...take a peak.

Next Post: Back to B.C.

Swiss Chocolate Anyone?

2011-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

When in Switzerland...eat Chocolate! I've heard it's perhaps why Swiss skaters tend to spin well on the ice.

Perhaps not...

Anywho, the European Championships kick off next week in Bern. They'll run simultaneously with the U.S. Championships (how will I keep my head together!) and will determine Europe's "Cream-of-the-Crop."

Who's in the running? For the ladies I'll throw out 6 names but I have a sneaky suspicion there will be some surprises amongst the ladies. You've got Kiira Korpi, Elene Gedevanishvili, Carolina Kostner, Alena Leonova, Ksenia Makarova, and Sarah Meier. To be blunt, not an extremely impressive field but Europe's best nonetheless. Even with only three triples I think it will be hard for Kostner to not win this. Past her it's a crap-shoot. I'm still trying to figure out how Ksenia Makarova is in the event given a 5th place finish at Russian Nationals...more on that in another post. Meier has been injured since forever, Leonova's programs are a hot mess, Korpi is very inconsistent, and Elene Gedevanishvili likes to double jumps. Forgive me, I'm not expecting fireworks...I'd love for them to prove me wrong.

I'll give you 5 ice dance teams to watch. Pechalat and Bourzat, Kerr and Kerr, Faiella and Scali, Bobrova and Soloviev, and Hoffman and Zavozin. Pechalat and Bourzat have really set themselves apart as the best Europe has to offer this season however I feel that both Kerr and Kerr as well as Faiella and Scali can really push them if they really go for it. The other two teams raised their cred by back-dooring into the Grand Prix Final but I think they'd be happy with a top four or five finish. It's been 11 years since there wasn't a Russian on the ice dance podium at Europeans...some food for thought.

Could see some real fireworks amongst the men! I'll mention 8 guys. Kevin van der Perren, Michal Brezina, Tomas Verner, Florent Amodio, Brian Joubert, Samuel Contesti, Javier Fernandez, and Artur Gachinski (both Schultheiss and Preaubert get honorable mentions). Given what we've seen this season...I'd put the good money on Verner. I love that Brezina is back in the mix now that Verner has stole back some the lime light...who could of predicted such a Czeck rivalry?!?! Good rivalry between Joubert and Amodio shaping up as well. The others...well they need to bring it hard to compete. Can't wait!

In Pairs you basically have the Germans vs the Russians. I wouldn't be surprised if the top five were the teams from these countries. Reigning Champs Kavaguti and Smirnov are back to defend with Bazarova and Larionov and Gerboldt and Enbert in tow. Savchenko and Szolkowy (who are looking good this season) want their title back. Hausch and Wende, also from Germany looked darn good at TEB and might factor in as well. I say the Germans win this by a mile. What I am most bummed about is not being able to see the Russian National Champs compete here. The new team of Volosozhar and Trankov aren't here...wamp wamp (for the love of Nationality changes!).

I'm still craving Swiss Chocolate.

Next Post: Where is Saransk?

The Nagano Rundown

2011-01-18T19:22:00.001-08:00

My Deep Dive continues this week with a rehash of what went down at Japanese Nationals.

Let's start with the ladies and the fairly triumphant return of Mao Asada. She won the short program in Nagano and posted her best free skate this season by far. While she only captured the silver, it was the perfect medal at the perfect time for her. She seemed content...solid skate under her belt but not forced to be the perfectionist...having come to Nagano and completed her goal, two solid skates,; something she had yet accomplished this season. Kanako Murakami has been turning heads all season and she continued to do so by turning in a near perfect free skate to nab the bronze. That effort bumped her ahead of Akiko Suzuki...and likely bumped her on to the World Team. Top honors, however, went to Miki Ando who, if you ask me, turned in her finest performance ever. There was a definite sense of sophistication in that program that has been absent all season. Everything seemed under perfect control and she paid great attention to detail. If she turns in a program like that in Tokyo in March, she'll be tough to beat. Trivia: When did Miki Ando last win the World Title? Answer: 2007 in Tokyo. They do say "What goes around comes around..."

For the men, going in most people would have put the good money on a Nobunari Oda/Daisuke Takahashi showdown for gold...I would have. Instead, Takahashi had to get scrappy and fight his way back onto the podium. He pulled off a barn-burner, opening with that "almost trademarked" quad flip and never looking back. He was so in tune with the choreography it was ridiculous. His effort paid off with a bronze medal. The other co-favorite coming in, Nobunari Oda, did not skate his best. Despite taking the polar plunge on his opening quad and second axel, he managed to keep ahead of Takahashi and grab the silver. In the end, it was Kozuka who stepped away from the dust with a gold medal around his neck. Like Oda, he wasn't perfect, taking a spill on a quad and a salchow, but what he did do was delivered so well it made up for the other mistakes. Takahiko has shown a tendency to skate better in the front half of the season as opposed to the back half. Perhaps this win at Japanese Nationals will propel him forward to success in the upcoming ISU Championships.

Tomorrow: A rundown of the upcoming European Championships

The Deep Dive

2011-01-17T17:46:00.000-08:00

Things have been moving and shaking on my end of the block. Focusing intensely on work to make sure I could make it to Nationals has kept me away from the blogging but I am back with a vengeance this week.

Lots to look forward, lots to look back at, this week is the Figure Skating Deep Dive where I rededicate myself to Figure Skating! What's ahead? A look back at Japanese and Russian Nationals, and a look forward to U.S. Nationals. I also take a look at the action scheduled in Bern at the European Championships and in Victoria at the Canadian National Championships.

Victoria, B.C. is where I'll begin my plunge this week where the Canadian National Championships are underway. Two big stories have topped the headlines...first Chan deciding to add a second quad to his free skate to compete technically with Kevin Reynolds (but his components are so far and away better he doesn't need it at all) and the withdrawal of Virtue and Moir from the event.

"Our training has been going really well, and we both were hoping to be in Victoria to defend our Canadian title. It’s a really important competition for us," Scott told reporters. "However, Tessa and I sat down with our coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva late last week and together the four of us made the difficult decision not to compete in Victoria. We have been making huge progress every single day in training, so we are confident that we can really build our programs over the next four weeks and feel well prepared for the ISU Four Continents figure skating championships." Their withdrawal sets up a head-to-head battle between Crone and Poirier and Weaver and Poje. Crone and Poirier took the Bronze at the Grand Prix Final but weaver and Poje have been making improvements all season...should be close.

Joannie Rochette will also be absent from the competitors list as she has chosen to not compete this year. Cynthia Phaneuf comes in with the best credentials looking to win another National Title. She'll have Amelie Lacoste and Myriane Samson to contend with. In Pairs, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch will attempt to highlight a banner season.

Finally, for the men, its been all about the quad. Former quad hater turned quad skater Patrick Chan has upped the ante by adding a second quad to his free skate. "Hopefully, landing them will create a great buzz in the building," Chan said during a conference call from Colorado Springs. Looking to create more buzz will be the hometown hero Kevin Reynolds who made history last fall landing two quads in his short at Skate Canada...three more in his free skate. But Kevin has a long way to go artistically to compete with Chan. The only skate close to Chan artistically is Shawn Sawyer. Armed with an amazingly choreographed free skate to "Alice in Wonderland," Shawn continues to struggle with consistency. If he can get his jumps in order he could contend with the best.

The Senior hit the ice this Friday in Victoria. Details here.

Tomorrow: A look back at Japanese Nationals.

Coming Soon...

2011-01-16T14:54:00.000-08:00

I'm back...

Coming this week and beyond...the Figure Skating Deep Dive and a full Nationals run down.

Oh yeah...get excited!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T13:11:00.001-08:00

From me to you...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Win, Lose, or Draw in Beijing

2010-12-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

Some big winners in Beijing...some big losers in Beijing at the Grand Prix Final...and a few draws. See all the results here.

Winners
First and foremost, Alissa Czisny! She said after her free skate in Beijing "I almost feel like this is a new beginning for me. The past is gone - over and done with. I almost feel like I am a new skater." If it goes from almost to a certainty, none of the other girls have a chance at U.S. Nationals. We've all known for a few years now that if Alissa Czisny can put together a short program and a free skate in the same competition, she'd be formidable. Well...point proven! In Ice Dance and Pairs it was kind of what most people expected. Davis and White have virtually no competition currently with Virtue and Moir out so it was no shock to see them win. I think Savchenko and Szolkowy have refound their thunder (it was totally stolen by Shen and Zhao last season) and are back on track (despite a rather cheesy free skate to Pink Panther). Patrick Chan clobbered the field with a strong skate and huge component scores. Patrick has consistently brought in the biggest PCS score this season and now armed with a quad is the toughest guy to beat. The only skater currently in Patrick's neighborhood on PCS is Daisuke Takahashi and he was seven points back. Food for thought...

Losers
Oh Rachael Flatt. It was so unfortunate to see her come undone like that. Let's not even talk about the scores (I'll leave that to Phil Hersh). A lingering leg injury is partially to blame but she was dealing with that same issue at Skate America and skated much better there. This performance has many doubting her chances in Greensboro: "I'm going to go home, regroup and start over from scratch on a few things. I need to use the time to build up my confidence in my training again." The only other big loss I think was dealt to Miki Ando who finished ahead of Rachael in 5th. After a disappointing short program (a new short program), she rallied to win the free skate...and didn't move up a single spot despite out skating everyone ahead of her. She came in the favorite and leaves empty handed...and behind two of what promises to be tough competitors at Japanese Nationals; Akiko Suzuki and Kanako Murakami (who took the bronze).

Draws
I think Pang and Tong had a draw here. Coming off of last season where they won the Olympic Silver Medal and World Title, I expected them to push Savchenko and Szolkowy a bit more here. They didn't skate bad...but where not up to the level they need to be to keep pace ahead of the Germans. A draw for Carolina Kostner who continues to be awarded for easy programs...but not a win this time. And Nobunari Oda who has a Patrick Chan problem this season (the monkey on his back). He has to figure out how to 1) get all the way through his free skate clean and 2) figure out how to raise his PCS score. He's skating good...he needs to find a way to skate great.

And how about this video...definitely affected both of their performances. A nasty crash between Kozuka and Takahashi in practice. Kozuka had to fight for the bronze and Daisuke ended up off the podium (his doctor advised he withdraw but he chose to compete anyway).

Also, take a look at the winning performances!

Bonus Video! Check out American Richard Dornbush kill it in the Junior Men's Free Skate!

What's so great about figure skating?

2010-12-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

MySkatingMall.com has begun a new project for the skating community! We are putting together a video called "What's so great about figure skating?" and we are looking for skaters, parents, and fans to take short videos of each other answering the question, "What's so great about figure skating?".

This video will serve as a great encouragement to skaters and parents as well as telling potential new skaters what is so great about our sport! A short introductory video as well as directions for uploading videos to the MySkatingMall.com YouTube channel can be found at http://www.myskatingmall.com/skating. Everyone who submits a video will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate for any item on MySkatingMall.com or from our Partner Stores. Videos will be accepted until 12/31/10.

So, what are you waiting for...start uploading today!

Win a Trip to Nationals! Meet Rachael Flatt!

2010-12-10T02:08:00.000-08:00

Lucy Activewear is offering one lucky person a trip to Greensboro, North Carolina for the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January! What is Lucy Activewear? Whether it's hitting the gym, practicing yoga, running or exploring the outdoors, Lucy designers are obsessed with the joy of working out. But they're also obsessed with fashion: Using a mix of high-tech fabrics, precise fit and a stylist's eye, we create gear with the design, color and feminine details you can't find anywhere else. The result? Athletic apparel gets a much-needed injection of style, and you love your workout more than ever.

What all does the lucky winner get:

2 VIP Tickets to Nationals
Meet with Rachael Flatt
$500 Lucy Gift Card
2 Night Hotel Stay
$500 Gift Card for Spending Money
Video Camera
Round-Trip Air Fare

Sounds pretty sweet! To enter, just click the picture below! Be sure to read Lucy's profile on Rachael Flatt too!

Saturday Afternoon Chit-Chat

2010-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

No, I've not fallen off the face of the earth!

I apologize for my lack of posting recently. Just to give you all an idea of why I have been quieter than normal recently I've decided to share with you all a little about my job.

I can't use my company's name (their rules) but I can tell you that I work for a large non-profit health organization that is currently doing a massive change over to a standardized electronic medical record (EMR)across its entire network. It's a change of "EPIC" proportions.

That's why I've been on a recent mini-globe trot, meeting with people in facilities that have similar systems, have used the system we are getting, and vendors who work with clients with the system.

At my location, I am one of several people charged with the successful implementation of this new EMR which we plan to activate in April. To do this...I am working a lot! This week alone I worked nearly 60 hours.

My blogging is taking a hit because of the long work hours but I am loyal and dedicated to all my followers so it's a priority of mine to keep blogging. Blogging is one of the few things that I can do in my spare time and it helps me unwind.

What I've decided to do is fewer smaller blog posts, competition run downs, this and thats, etc. The figure skating blogosphere as grown tremendously since I began blogging over 5 years ago and there are lots of capable blogs out there (see the ones I endorse in the side bar to the right!) to get you all the info you need. I am going to instead focus on bigger topics and issues. Fewer, more in-depth blog posts as my time permits.

I will still be on Twitter @skating102 for all my off-the-cuff comments. Facebook, Formspring, and YouTube aren't going anywhere either. I'm still planning on attending Nationals as well however I make go for the weekender package as opposed the the all-event pass...time will still have to tell on that.

I promise to keep blogging...it's my love!

Cheers,

Aaron

Trophy Eric Bompard Short Program Flash

2010-11-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

Anna KHNYCHENKOVA / Mark MAGYAR (HUN) - Music seemed to just drone on and their program was uninteresting...I can't even remember if they hit their elements or not...that's how uninteresting it was.

Felicia ZHANG / Taylor TOTH (USA) - Felicia completely missed her footing on the side-by-side jumps and never left the ice. Pretty program though. Into the lead despite technical issues.

Klara KADLECOVA / Petr BIDAR (CZE) - Seemed green. Petr made me think of Brian Joubert circa 2001 if he was a pairs skater. Also, totally missed a lift.

Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV (RUS) - Really pretty. Solid Russian basics make this program sing. Great job.

Maylin HAUSCH / Daniel WENDE (GER) - Really solid. Ten points behind Russians but good effort. Strong elements.

Mylene BRODEUR / John MATTATALL (CAN) - This team is so sterotypically Canadian! The music, their outfits, how they move across the ice...screams "Oh Canada!" Lots of Technical troubles...wamp wamp.

Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY (GER) - Great speed. Tight landing on the twist and Aliona had trouble on her sbs jump. Huge throw flip. Coin toss between them and Russians...I think the Russians should get it...a clean skate should be worth something right? Judges disagree with me.

Zoltan KELEMEN (ROU) - Kind of bland. Sat down on the back half of his lutz combo. Needs to pay more attention to performance.

Chafik BESSEGHIER (FRA) - Out of nowhere performance that included a quad triple and nice triple axel. Skating skills need work but the jumps look great! 70.33...impressive!

Peter LIEBERS (GER) - Clean program but he needs to loosen up. You can't skate to the blues and look so serious.

Anton KOVALEVSKI (UKR) - Looks undertrained. Needs to find some inner fight to make these performances happen...because they currently aren't happening.

Nan SONG (CHN) - *Yawn

Florent AMODIO (FRA) - Kind of brilliant. Not so much as an unsteady wobble in that program. Seems to be thriving under Morozov.

Kevin REYNOLDS (CAN) - Maybe some jump downgrades...not near the performance he had in Canada. He was confused a bit by the scores.

Brandon MROZ (USA) - Some awkward moments in the jumping. Muscled the quad combo and had a weird post-slip after axel. Program didn't flow as well as it did in China.

Takahiko KOZUKA (JPN) - Music is awful but he did the elements. Axel wasn't great but completed. He's pretty slick on his feet though and has solid skating skills.

Brian JOUBERT (FRA) - Messy. I am still loving his new programs but Brian is struggling technically this season. Only 5th place.

Grand Prix Crunch in Paris

2010-11-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

As this season's final event, Trophy Eric Bompard will decide who is in for Beijing, and who is out. The last Grand Prix event is always interesting because I imagine skaters on the ice trying to make the final are perhaps as nervous as those watching at home hoping they've done enough to qualify.

Beginning with Ice Dance, three teams have sealed the deal as far as the Grand Prix Final goes: Americans Davis and White, Canadians Crone and Poirier, and Russians Bobrova and Soloviev. Competing in Paris with a shot at making the Grand Prix Final is Pechalat and Bourzat of France. Having won Cup of China they look to be in really good shape to make the final and are the CLEAR FAVORITES at this event. I think if they just stand on the ice and look good they win. Then it becomes a bit of a scramble. The dance field in France is the weakest thus far on the Grand Prix so it's somewhat unpredictable. American's Chock and Zuerlein are in the running for the Grand Prix Final after their bronze medal effort in Canada. Three more teams, with a win, could make the final in Paris: Riazanova and Tkachenko of Russia, Carron and Jones of France, and Huang and Zheng of China (a bit remarkable that we are still talking about a Chinese Dance team being in the running for the GPF...it's been one of those seasons!)...however it is a bit unlikely that any of these teams would win. Who is at home biting their finger-nails? With the best shot of any is Canadians Weaver and Poje who are on the better end of a tie-breaking situation and barring some very unusual results will likely qualify. Praying for miracles are Hungarians Hoffmann and Zavozin and Americans Shibutani and Shibutani.

The ladies competition has been so odd this season, I haven't known what to really make of it. Given that, 5 of the 6 spots for the Grand Prix Final have already been decided: Italy's Carolina Kostner, Miki Ando, Kanako Murakami, and Akiko Suzuki all of Japan, and American Rachael Flatt have all qualified. That means one spot is still open. Who can get after it? American Alissa Czisny has the best chance having won Gold at Canada. Should Alissa have big problems, and certain placements happen, three ladies are still in the running including Canada's Cynthia Phaneuf, American Mirai Nagasu, and Finland's Kiira Korpi. Needing a miracle to make the final is Japan's Haruka Imai. Even more interesting, mathematically Mao Asada of Japan and Mae Bernice Meite of France still have a shot...but they need more than a miracle...they need divine intervention. Not only would they have to win....but they also would need Nagasu, Korpi, Phanuef, and Czisny to finish TEB with little to no points (depending on the competitor). Not gonna happen. No real nail-biting at home...even though Ashley Wagner is on the bubble, she is unlikely to make the final...it would take one of those miracle scenarios.

In Pairs, four teams have sealed the deal for the final already. China's Pang and Tong, Canadians Moore-Towers and Moscovitch, Russians Iliushechkina and Maisuradze, and China's Sui and Han (the latter two teams on the good end of a tie-breaker). Only two teams competing in Paris have a shot at making the final. Germans Savcehnko and Szolkowy who won Skate America and Russia's Bazarova and Larionov who took silver in Japan. Those two teams should have no problem going 1-2 and nabbing the last two spots at the final. But...should disaster strike, mathematically Takahashi and Tran of Japan and Americans Yankowskas and Coughlin are still viable...it's a stretch though. Takahashi and Tran have a better shot if Bazarova and Larionov have troubles.

Finally the men...what a season so far! Four guys have secured spots in Beijing: Daisuke Takhashi of Japan, Patrick Chan of Canada, Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic, and Nobunari Oda of Japan. A whopping five men competing in Paris have a shot at making the final yet. With the best opportunity is Takahiko Kozuka of Japan. American Brandon Mroz has the next best shot after finishing right behind Takahiko in China. Trickier but still with a decent chance is Florent Amodio. And even more tricky but still possible is Brian Joubert and Kevin Reynolds. The REAL nail-biting is being done by Jeremy Abbott who is on the serious bubble! He still has a shot at the Grand Prix Final depending on how the guys finish in Paris...it'll be close. Poor Adam Rippon...after his hiccup at Skate America he has hardly any shot at all for the Grand Prix Final. This will be the crunchiest of all the numbers in Paris!

Fantasy picks...take a look below. I'm determined to move up the standings after the Dance event in Russia killed me! Am I crazy to go with Asada?

Bland Weekend in Moscow

2010-11-22T14:08:00.001-08:00

In General, I was very BLAH about Rostelecom Cup this past weekend. Very little actually got my blood pumping. I felt the ladies competition was boring. Miki Ando skated a clean but safe program to win. Akiko skated a pretty program peppered with little errors for the silver, and Ashley Wagner nabbed the bronze after a better but still not amazing free. Half the dancers didn't even compete leaving a field of medalists nobody would have predicted. The men failed to excite with Tomas winning with his less than spectacular MJ Medley (The choreo Hugo...the choreo!). We learned that Chan is beatable, he just has to fall like 3 or more times. And Jeremy may have missed his shot at Beijing with just a bronze.

The only thing that DID excite me about Rostelecom Cup was Kavaguti and Smirnov's Free Skate. GUSH! It's a thing of beauty and they skated it brilliantly. Tamara Moskvina has really put something special together there. Not sure on the outfits (Sasha's in particular) but the skating gets an A+.

How did I do fantasy wise...don't ask. The Men's and Dance events killed me! But somehow I keep moving up the overall standings...156th overall...meh!

Later this week a Grand Prix Final Crunch pre Trophy Eric Bompard.

Also, bare with me...my work schedule has become haphazard so blogging and working has become...interesting. But...I'm still committed!

Portland to Moscow

2010-11-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

It's been another one of those work weeks and I fear there are more to come. But nonetheless I will get my blogging in!

Some quick thoughts on Skate America. I am horribly depressed about Savchenko and Szolkowy's Free Skate, they had such a gorgeous program last season and this Pink Panther diddy just seems like a let down. And I continue to wait for the day when Denney and Barrett are going to bust through...it will happen. I was basically underwhelmed by the men except Armin who exceeded expectations and was amazing. I loved the Alex and Maia snagged another bronze medal. Glad to see Rachael keep it together to get the silver and likely make the Grand Prix Final for the first time. We wont talk about my fantasy team...

So we turn our attention to Russia for Rostelecom Cup. I'm really excited about the mens event, there is a pretty deep field. I'm rooting hardcore for Jeremy but there are plenty of skaters that can get in his way there! Ice Dance doesn't look very exciting at all...it will be fun to see how it shakes out. I'm going to go on a limb and predict Kavaguti and Smirnov win the Pairs event...not too exciting there either. In the ladies field, I'd guess the Japanese women are favored, but I'm most interested to see he places higher between Alena and Ksenia. And can Ashley muscle her way in there?

Here are my fantasy picks for Rostelecom Cup...I hope I get somewhere with these!

And Drumroll...I WILL be tweeting tomorrow during the competition! I have the morning off because I told my boss I deserved it...she couldn't argue that point!

Skate America

2010-11-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Grand Prix makes its annual stop in the U.S. this week. A quick rundown on who to watch (blogging on the quick!):

Men:
Nobunari Oda (JPN) - Silver Medal at Skate Canada

Adam Rippon (USA) - Bronze Medal at Skate Canada

Shawn Sawyer (CAN) - Strong components scores

Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) - Won NHK Trophy

Denis Ten (KAZ) - When on has few weaknesses

Kevin van der Perren (BEL) - Solid jumper (at times)

Pairs:
Denney and Barrett (USA) - Technical consistency

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch (CAN) - Silver Medal at Skate Canada

Savchenko and Szolkowy (GER) - Olympic Bronze medalists. Veteran competitors

Stolbova and Klimov (RUS) - Solid Russian basics equaling strong pair skills

Sui and Han (CHN) - Silver at Cup of China, has solid throw quad salchow

Ladies:
Rachael Flatt (USA) - Silver Medal at NHK Trophy

Carolina Kostner (ITA) - Gold Medal at NHK Trophy

Kanako Murakami (JPN) - Bronze Medal at NHK Trophy

Ice Dance:
Crone and Poirier (CAN) - Gold Medal at Skate Canada

Davis and White (USA) - Olympic Silver Medalists. Gold Medal at NHK Trophy

Shibutani and Shibutani (USA) - Bronze at NHK Trophy

Weaver and Poje (CAN) - Silver at NHK Trophy

I've posted my fantasy picks below...hoping for the best!

Cup of China Wrap

2010-11-11T11:07:00.001-08:00

A very fast wrap-up of Cup of China. I'm on limited blogging time!

Ice Dance was a runaway for Pechalat and Bourzat of France. They had a nice lead out of the Short Dance and just extended it in the free. Bobrova and Soloviev of Russia surprised many by taking the silver. Faiella and Scali had to settle for the bronze after a nasty slip in the free dance. Three bland programs at this point for the top three teams but I think Faiella and Scali's Flamenco has potential.

Pang and Tong put experience to good use in Beijing besting their Chinese teammates Sui and Han for the win. It was as unusual meeting of experience vs youthfulness as the senior most competing Chinese team took on the youngest. Sui and Han provided some fireworks with a very solid throw quad salchow attempt and a flair for performance rarely seen in Chinese competitors. Americans Yankowskas and Coughlin improved their 4th place finish at NHK to a bronze in Beijing and have a slim shot at making the Grand Prix Final, also in Beijing. Pang and Tong are the first skaters to earn a trip to the Grand Prix Final.

It was Japan full steam ahead in the ladies competition. Miki Ando showed a jumping clinic to take the ladies title. Akiko Suzuki was in tow in second with a solid effort and a beautifully choreographed program. Russia's Alena Leonova backed into the bronze medal after Mirai Nagasu, leader after the short, tanked in the free to finish 4th overall.

Japan again was on top in the men's division as Takahiko cruised to an easy victory with two programs chock full of strong components. American Brand Mroz surged in the free skate with a tremendous skate that included a clean quad to take the silver.
Tomas Verner managed to hang on for the bronze with an entertaining (but somewhat lacking) skate to Michael Jackson. The big story in the men's field was Brian Joubert, with a decent performance, dropping down to 4th due in major part to only receiving level 1's for his spins.

My Fantasy picks weren't horrible...I tied for 222nd for Cup of China which doesn't sound great...but I moved up to being ranked 139th overall. I'm just going to stick with it...

You can see the full Cup of China Results here.

Skate America starts tomorrow.

Jeremy Abbott is one of my favorite skaters, but it looks like he's had a rough start to his season. (still in old boots, unable to train fully, unable to train the quad plus a SP that has not been well received) How much trouble is he really in?

2010-11-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

Full disclaimer...HUGE @jeremyabbottpcf FAN so likely a biased answer is ahead...

I don't think he's in any trouble. All skaters have gone through equipment issues. While it is an annoyance, most are prepared to handle it and I think Jeremy is no different. Even now he has, for the most part, worked out those problems.

Who hasn't received his SP well...I thought it has been very well received? I for one LOVE it and it seemed like the judges at NHK liked it too. His only deduction was on a silly spin issue. Crowds at All That Skate in Korea ate it up. I think his SP is easily one of the best out there.

Certainly we can't call a silver medal at a Grand Prix event a "rough" start, right?

As for the quad, it isn't like Jeremy is starting from scratch with this jump, he's been doing it for years. So even with limited training time, once the boot issues are corrected he can just reintroduce it to his program, polish it up, and I think it's all good.

Have a skating question?

Cup of China Free Skate Flash

2010-11-06T00:58:00.000-07:00

Diane Szmiett (CAN) - Brutal. Needs to go home and "figure it out."

Min-Jeong Kwak (KOR) - Big piece of music for the mini Yu-Na...too big. No connection to the music.

Kristine Musademba (USA) - Program was filled with jump errors and lacked spark. Could be great a future date but needs greater content.

Amanda Dobbs (USA) - Again no spark. Jump errors. And needs harder content.

Joshi Helgesson (SWE) - First skater to land multiple triples. Lost steam at the end but easily the best to this point but behind Dobbs due to a jump not counting.

Alena Leonova (RUS) - Hot mess. But the best hot mess of the day and into the lead. Witches of Eastwick...really?

Bingwa Geng (CHN) - Not much here but landed the most jumps. Transition non-existent.

Miki Ando (JPN) - Vintage Ando. She put on a jumping clinic and never looked back. Huge tech score, hard to beat.

Akiko Suzuki (JPN) - Lovely program. Some jump issues here and there but fought through to the end. Two triple lutzes this year! Behind Ando.

Mirai Nagasu (USA) - Geisha program fell flat. Lots of jump errors and under-rotations. Exact same thing as last year at this event. 1st to off the podium.

Peitong Chen (CHN) - Rough. Lacked content and pizaaz.

Jialiang Wu (CHN) - Terrible. Falls on jumps, footwork, spins. Problems the whole way through...

Peter Liebers (GER) - Awkward Sherlock Holmes program. No flow...not pop.

Samuel Contesti (ITA) - Version 2.0 of Andes Panpipes. Very slow but hit most the jumps. Liked Version 1.0 better.

Jinlin Guan (CHN) - Overused version of Turandot. Failed quad and uninspiring program.

Tatsuki Machida (JPN) - Crash and Burn on Quad. Rushed! Needs to make his movements mean something rather than rushing through them.

Ross Miner (USA) - Improved from NHK. Needs to find some more connection with this music. Judges pounce on him a bit though.

Sergei Voronov (RUS) - Bailed on quad and then stops program. Knee injury...withdraws.

Brandon Mroz (USA) - Nailed it! Great piece of music and solid jumps including the quad. Into the lead big time!

Tomas Verner (CZE) - Cheap Michael Jackson Medley. Like Amodio...too much dancing not enough skating. Behind Mroz.

Brian Joubert (FRA) - Biq quad to open. This is my favorite Joubert program ever. Poor spins which cost him in tech score and into 3rd overall. Ouch!

Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) - Hangs on to most of his jumps and has beautiful spins. Program is bland but it gets the job done. Easy win.

Hole and Johnson (CAN) - Green!

Dong and Wu (CHN) - Disaster. Jumps, throws, lifts were a mess.

Della Monica and Kocon (ITA) - Not bad. Music kind of went nowhere but they managed most of their elements.

Evora and Ladwig (USA) - Pretty. Great lifts. Needs more excitement. Decent score though.

Iliushechkina and Maisuradze (RUS) - Nice elements. They have all the hallmarks of a great Russian Team but I don't feel they sell it. More umpf please.

Yankowskas and Coughlin (USA) - Lovely. Fall on Salchow but still a gorgeous performance. Into medal position.

Sui and Han (CHN) - Messy SBS but gutzy attempts at throw quad salchow and quad twist. Big tech score and comfortable lead. They have a performance factor that only comes naturally.

Pang and Tong (CHN) - Botched SBS jumps but smooth flowing from that point. Experience kicked in and they rode that wave of "know how" right to the win.

Cup of China Short Program Flash

2010-11-05T01:42:00.000-07:00

Bingwa Geng (CHN) - Pretty...but a snoozefest.

Qiuying Zhu (CHN) - Lacked technical content and speed. Fall on double axel not good. :-(

Min-Jeong Kwak (KOR) - Almost went through the barrier on fall on lutz. SLOW!

Kristine Musademba (USA) - Watered her content down and struggled. Slow. Fall out of flip and fall on axel. Claire de Lune program is lovely though.

Diane Szmiett (CAN) - Meh...better than NHK.

Amanda Dobbs (USA) - Slow. Lovely program to Moon River. Needs harder content.

Joshi Helgesson (SWE) - Again...slow (broken record here). Repetitive arm movements in choreo but clean jumps.

Mirai Nagasu (USA) - Good gusto! Had to work the flip a little but got it done. Excellent spins. Nice program.

Alena Leonova (RUS) - Shaky. Lots of jumping glitches (no falls though). Program seems a bit...junior?

Akiko Suzuki (JPN) - Step out of lutz but otherwise great. I'll forgive her Tango as well because she skates it so well.

Miki Ando (JPN) - Big triple lutz triple loop to open. Weird hip-hop Plushenko like choreo...didn't get it. Judges put her in third after silly slip on double axel.

Peitong Chen (CHN) - Bland.

Jinlin Guan (CHN) - Bland again. Quad attempt failed.

Ross Miner (USA) - Attacked the program. Kind of rushed. Held on to all the jumps though. Watch the axel take off.

Peter Liebers (GER) - Fun program. Blues is such an American piece of music great to see a German pull it off with ease. Axel didn't work.

Jialiang Wu (CHN) - Bland #3. China must find choreographers.

Tatsuki Machida (JPN) - Quick, frantic at times. Botched lutz will hurt. Good overall.

Brandon Mroz (USA) - Much improved from last season. Quad-triple to open. Needs a bit more spunk but on his way.

Sergei Voronov (RUS) - A tango. Quad issues but otherwise okay.

Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) - Needs more "soul." But he knows how to work the component mark and he hit the jumps.

Samuel Contesti (ITA) - Interesting to begin with but then the jump mistakes started happening and all the character left the program. Ended with slow footwork and rough spin.

Brian Joubert (FRA) - Great Flamenco choreography...really superb. Lacked transitions though. Coupled with botched axel lead to 2nd behind Kozuka.

Tomas Verner (CZE) - Charming Singin' in the Rain program. Fall out of axel and no quad mean's 3rd place.

Beijing Bound

2010-11-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

The Grand Prix continues this weekend in Beijing at the Samsung Anycall Cup of China. Stop #3 I believe gives us our deepest fields yet. Who should you keep your eye on?

In Ice Dance, the top two teams look to be Italians Faiella and Scali and the French team of Pechalat and Bourzat. The Italians got the better end of it last season with a top five finish at the Olympics and a Bronze at the World Championships. Both teams, however, are very experienced teams and the Grand Prix has shown us anything is possible in Ice Dance. On their heels are several team including the Russians of Bobrova and Soloviev who have made steady gains the last two season, the Hungarians Hoffman and Zavozin (Matthew Zavozin actually used to compete for the U.S.), and Americans Hubbell and Hubbell who begin their second season on the Senior Grand Prix. Medal Predictions: (GOLD) Faiella and Scali, (SILVER) Pechalat and Bourzat, (BRONZE) Bobrova and Soloviev

The men's competition could be very exciting. Brian Joubert of France gets his major competitive season underway in Beijing. The Frenchman is looking for redemption this season after a somewhat disappointing season that saw Olympic hopes dashed (again). He's revamped himself, taken on a North American choreographer, and seems mentally prepared. He'll be pushed by several competitors including Japan's Takahiko Kozuka, Italy's Samuel Contesti, Czech Republic's Tomas Verner, Russia's Sergei Voronov, and American Brandon Mroz. All of these men (except Contesti who is a European Championship medalist) have won a medal on the Grand Prix and could challenge for a medal here. Verner, Voronov, and Mroz in particular are looking to turn around very disappointing seasons last year and get things started on the right foot. Medal Predictions: (GOLD) Brian Joubert, (SILVER) Takahiko Kozuka, (BRONZE) Tomas Verner (Am I crazy...)

The Ladies event looks to be a fun three way fight between Japan's Miki Ando and Akiko Suzuki and American Mirai Nagasu. These three women kept criss-crossing each other in the standings last season and seem very evenly matched. Akiko was stunning at this event last season and burst onto the skating map with a big win. Ando had a solid Grand Prix season culminating in a silver at the Grand Prix Final. Nagasu, of course, had a solid U.S. Nationals and was fourth at the Olympics. Any of the three women could easily take the event with two solid performances. On their heels will be Russia's Alena Leonova who seemed to come unglued last year as the season progressed. She has shown competitive aptitude however and if she can get her head around landing jumps she'll be in good shape. I'm also interested to see how American Kristine Musademba does in her Senior Grand Prix debut, she was a successful Junior competitor. Medal Predictions: (GOLD) Miki Ando, (SILVER) Mirai Nagasu, (BRONZE) AKiko Suzuki

The Pairs field is interesting as you have one super veteran team going up against a slew of youngsters! The veterans (and of course favorites) are Pang and Tong of China. They skated to an easy win in Japan and I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same here at home...but they will be slightly more challenged. The top challenge coming from one of the young teams, their one teammates Sui and Han. This young team actually was just recently given credit for landing a throw quad salchow in competition and will attempt it in Beijing. They swept the Junior ranks last season and look to make a successful move to the Seniors. Skate Canada Champions Iliushechkina and Maisuradze have made the trip from Kingston to Beijing adding depth to the field. Cup of China will be our first look this season at American Silver Medalists Evora and Ladwig who had a breakthrough season last year and a second shot at the podium for Americans Yankowskas and Coughlin who barely missed the podium at NHK. Medal Predictions: (GOLD) Pang and Tong, (SILVER) Sui and Han, (BRONZE) Iliushechkina and Maisuradze

I'll be live Tweeting during (at the least) the men's and ladies short programs early tomorrow morning and during all the free skates and the free dance early Saturday morning. Also, don't expect tweets from the competitors in China as Twitter is blocked by the Chinese Government (sad face). On Fantasy Picks, I've posted my choices below. Oddly, Pang and Tong weren't listed in any category so you couldn't pick them...?

The Florent Factor

2010-11-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

Where do you draw the line in figure skating between what is a competitive program and what is an exhibition?

At NHK Trophy I was somewhat critical of Florent's free skate...pointing out that at many points in the program he gets so caught up in the showman aspect of the performance that he forgets to skate.

A reader e-mailed me today, having watched his performance on television this weekend and wondered what in the world I thought was wrong with the program. Scott wrote: "That program was amazing. I saw on Twitter you didn't like it. I though he should have won the competition. What in the world did you find bad about that program?"

First I must say I love Florent to pieces and I think what he does on the ice is amazing. He's a gifted dancer. But I also have to call a spade a spade. And while he is a gifted dancer...the sport is figure skating. Take a look at the video below:

While his program is great and he hit the jumps, you really shouldn't be burning 40 seconds standing and doing Black Eyed Peas or Michael Jackson choreography. It's entertaining, it's fun, the crowd ate it up, but I think it sets the bar too low for a competitive program.

That's why I was critical of Florent at NHK Trophy.

Skate Canada Afterglow

2010-10-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

So Skate Canada is in the books. I have to apologize for not posting flashes. I was actually intending on watching most of Skate Canada on demand but ended up watching most of it as it happened. The flip side I was at work and couldn't watch, blog, work simultaneously. However...you can read what I thought about the action by checking my Twitter profile.

What were the Skate Canada highlights for me? Let's start with the amazing performance given by Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch in the free skate. I'm always down for a good Les Mis program and they rocked it. You didn't even care about the bobble Kirsten had on her Salchow because any memory of it was erased by the two fantastic lifts they did at the end to pull the crowd out of their seats. They won the free skate and took the silver overall but the were desparately close to catching the Russians Iliushechkina and Maisuradze for the Gold. Kirsten were joined on the podium by their young teammates Lawrence and Swiegers.The Americans Castelli and Shnapir were so close to medaling after a fantastic short but the free got the better of them. I do love their Avatar free skate though.

I also loved the unpredictability of the dance event. This season it seems like nothing is a done deal and all the teams can't put it on cruise control like they did before. Kerr and Kerr of Great Britain have a lovely free skate and were on their way to victory when they had a slip on lift and it didn't really go as planned. That one mistake was enough to let Crone and Poirier of Canada slip past them for the win with a Beatle's number choreographed by Christopher Dean (so in the end...I guess Great Britain still wins out!). The Canadians are really putting pressure on these Grand Prix Podiums. Paul and Islam, another Canadian Team at this event, was actually 2nd in the free dance and finished 4th overall. It was the Americans Chock and Zuerlein that snuck in for the bronze after after a fun dance set to Cabaret.

The ladies event was so unpredictable start to finish. I actually pegged the Junior World Silver Medalist Agnes Zawadzki to win it because I though at the least she would be consistent and that would win the day. Well Agnes was hot and saucy in the short but nerves got the better of her in the free and she fell to 6th. The podium was quite a roller coaster. Amelie Lacoste 5th after the short, managed the bronze. She didn't have a great free but it was good enough on the day. Johnny Weir tweeted several times that we should all pray for Ksenia. The prayer must have worked because she worked her Evita free skate enough to earn the silver medal. She seemed happy with her skate and Johnny tweeted he almost cried his lashes off! The Gold Medal, however, went for the second time in her career, to Alissa Czisny (video below). She came back from 4th in the short to take it all with a gorgeous program set to George Winston's Winter and Spring. Are good things ahead this season for Alissa?

Finally the men. I took some heat on Twitter for defending the judges at this event. Patrick Chan had a terrible short program and many felt he should have been further back than what he was (4th). In the free skate, he came roaring back (quad included) to take the title. Nobunari fans in particular harped on the "Canadian Bonus" Patrick got in the short. I will be the first to call out any point padding. I think Kevin Reynolds (who hit two quads in the short!) and Amelie Lacoste in particular were beneficiaries of some point bumps at this event. Chan, I felt was marked fairly. His tech score wasn't padded at all, the protocols show that, and he is one of (if not the) the best skaters as far as the component score. A better way of looking at it is like this...so you think Patrick was over scored in the short, so you think he should have been ranked behind Alban Preaubert, Javier Fernandez, Yasuharu Nanri? Even on a bad Patrick Chan day, you have to admit his skating skills are certainly going to keep him ranked ahead of those skaters. On the flip side, you can say Adam Rippon and Nobunari Oda weren't given the component scores they deserved. But as good as they are (and I love both of them!), Patrick is still far superior to them in the component mark. In the end...rationally...I think the judges did get it right and there were just some mad fans. I think Nobunari's silver and Adam's bronze were right. Should I prepare for more egg dodging?

You can see the full results here.

I can report that I am 0 for 8 on accurate podium predictions. I have to improve this. I did do better on my fantasy picks though. Tied for 197th (better than the 365th last week) and have improved to being ranked 175th overall. I just keep telling myself slow and steady... Cup of China next week!

Raising Breast Cancer Awareness...on the Ice!

2010-10-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

On the eve of Skate Canada International, I wanted to focus some attention on a cause important to me and the work I do outside of figure skating...while featuring figure skating!

As many of you know or at the least are about to learn, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can visit the Susan G. Komen websitee to learn more about Breast Cancer but the fact is we need to focus more attention on it. In the U.S. alone, 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in 2010.

But Breast Cancer isn't just an issue in the United States, it's a global issue, and a group of men from Canada do a fantastic group of not only bringing attention to Breast Cancer, but also raising money for Breast Cancer research. If you haven't heard of The Ice Men...you will now!

The Ice Men bill themselves as "an all male comedic precision skating team." I asked Tyler Cochrane who is the Captain of The Ice Men, what's one thing the world should absolutely know about The Ice Men; "We love to skate, we love to laugh, and we especially love "OLD SCHOOL PRECISION" was the answer!

Another thing I think the world should know is that this talented group of men have raised nearly $25,000 for Breast Cancer Research. How does a 'comedic precision skating team' accomplish such a feat? By delighting audience members across to amazing performances and then donating the money to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. It's important to note that all proceeds go towards fighting breast cancer. All their outfits, their training facilities, and even practice ice are donated to them. In fact, even now, they are looking for some practice ice for the upcoming season. Talk about commitment!

I wondered what the motivation for doing such amazing work and Tyler shared that a vast majority of the team has known someone directly affected by cancer. He summed their motivation up brilliantly, "The reality is cancer effects everyone one way or another." And with such dedication comes high praise. "There is rarely a show that goes by where someone hasn't made some sort of comment towards our cause and how much they appreciate what they are doing. It is such an added bonus knowing that we are supporting such a great cause considering how much fun and enjoyment we all get out of performing each number." According to Tyler these accolades are continuously pouring in and that he recently received a very personal e-mail from someone who had recently lost a loved one to breast cancer and thanked them for the work they do for Princess Margaret Hospital.

And these guys keep busy. In fact, you'll see several of them competing this weekend at Skate Canada including Dylan Moscovitch (with partner Kirsten Moore-Towers) and Mitch Islam (with partner Alexandra Paul). Tyler says a majority of the Ice Men have or currently are competing at the Junior and/or Senior National/International level. "We are lucky to have the talent we have."

"We love to skate, we love to laugh, and we especially love OLD SCHOOL PRECISION." My guess Ice Men...a lot of people love you!

You can find lots of information about Breast Cancer at the Princess Margaret Hospital website and you can make a donation to the Princess Margaret Hospital by clicking this link. Also follow The Ice Men on Twitter @The_Ice_Men and on flickr.

Pic of the Week

2010-10-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

He wowed the socks off me at the recent Japan Open competition and he may just do the same at Skate Canada!

Adam Rippon is armed with some confidence this season. After winning the Four Continents Cup last season (video below), he went on to finish in the top six at World's. Now armed with two solid programs he's looking to make his mark this season.

It won't be easy...he faces stiff competition at this event from both Nobunari Oda and Patrick Chan who plans to add the quad into his program this season.

This is the first season where Adam is looked at as one of the top men in the world and a certifiable contender. On Adam's Official Website he says his "number one goal for this season is show maturity, consistent, clean, and passionate skating every time I go out to compete." I hope he achieves his goal!