2009 Nebelhorn Trophy

Thursday marks the beginning of the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. This is an important competition not only because top talent will be competing but many competitors are on a quest to attempt to qualify berths at the 2010 Olympic Games.

Two men have a realistic chance of qualifying berths for the Olympics (the qualifying process begins with Nebelhorn but it does not end here). Switzerland's Stéphane Lambiel begins his comeback bid here and realistically has to be seen as the clear favorite. It will be the first time we will have seen him in competition mode since the 2008 World Championships and give us a picture of how successful his comeback may be. Also with a solid chance of qualifying a berth for Azerbaijan is former Canadian competitor Fedor Andreev who recently won the Skate Detroit competition. His stock is on the rise and I expect he'll skate well. Plenty of other talent to keep an eye on including Czech skater Michael Brezina who won this event in 2007. France's innovative Yannick Ponsero is in the mix as is the 2004 World Bronze medalist Stefan Lindemann who'll be skating at home. Ryan Bradley from the U.S. will make his season debut in Germany.

This event has a fairly solid pairs and dance field. In Pairs, World Champions Savchenko and Szolkowy look to begin their season with an easy win. Also competing are Ukranians Volosozhar and Morozov, Canadians Langlois and Hay, and Americans Castille and Okolski. The Ice Dance competition gives Americans Davis and White a chance to get early feedback on their dances this season.

Amongst the women, three ladies I feel have a near equal chance at taking the title. Alissa Czisny, who won the title last season, Kiira Korpi, and Sarah Meier all have a shot, just depends who shows up with their jumping legs. Hungary's Julia Sebestyen, 2004 European Champion, is competing but unfortunately she hasn't been much of a factor in recent years.

UPDATE: Terrible news. Fedor Andreev will not be competing at Nebelhorn Trophy and thus will be unable to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games. The reason...the Azerbaijan Skating Federation forget the paperwork! He and teammate Joelle Forte (who used to compete for the U.S.) were forced to withdraw because of the mishap. You can check out the full scoop at Jenny Kirk's blog. How unfortunate.

UPDATE #2: Sarah Meier has also withdrawn from Nebelhorn.

UPDATE #3: A quick update with the winners of this event. No surprises really. Switzerland's Stéphane Lambiel won the men's event. American Alissa Czisny took the ladies title (despite a sixth place free skate). Pairs title easily went to reigning World Champs Savchenko and Szolkowy of Germany. The dance title went to Americans Davis and White.

The Globe Trot

So much going on around the world these days!

The biggest off all the news coming from Korea where Ice All Stars has wrapped successfully. Of course Michelle Kwan made her return (although not competitive) to the ice. There was quite a cast and I hope to bring you all some more info on that soon in a separate post. Also, Kim revealed her music choices for next season. James Bond for the SP and Piano Concerto in F for the free.

To Germany where the Nebelhorn Trophy entries have been announced. This event is uniquely important this season as it serves as an Olympic Qualifier for those nations that performed (or didn't perform at all) poorly at last season's World Championships in Los Angeles. To that end, Stéphane Lambiel will be competing there as Switzerland needs to qualify a spot in Vancouver. Fedor Andreev will be competing on behalf of Azerbaijan to attempt the same. Other notable competitors in the event include: Yannick Ponsero, Brandon Mroz, Kiira Korpi, Fumie Suguri, Alissa Czisny, Sarah Meier, Savchenko and Szolkowy, Castile and Okolski, Kerr and Kerr, and Davis and White. This event takes place Sept. 24 - 27 in Obsterdorf, Germany.

Here in the U.S., the IOC, USOC, and NBC are all still squabbling about the proposed Comcast/USOC Olympic Network. Another coaching change to report, this time it's 2008 U.S. Bronze Medalist Stephen Carriere who will now train under Priscilla Hill. Overheard Rumor...McLaughlin and Brubaker's free skate will be to Slumdog Millionaire. If so, I'm way excited...that would be an awesome piece for them. Also, Scott Hamilton is getting back on the ice!

In Japan, Mao Asada continues to prepare for the toughest season of her career. In a recent article she told press reporters, "want to land a triple axel. I’ll push myself even more in practice and hopefully I can get started with a good season in my first event." She'll get the chance to strut her stuff at the Japan Open which is October 15-18. Also, seems Daisuke Takahashi was interested in Kim Yu-Na's ice show as he was spotted at the event.

And from Canada, news of the Teflon of sort. What am I talking about? Skate Canada and T-Fal have teamed together to offer commemorative Skate Canada frying pans. A portion of the proceeds go to the Skate Canada Athletes Fund which provides financial assistance to it's athletes. "It's hard to express the wonderful work T-fal has done to support our athletes and sport. These new pans are absolutely gorgeous and are a perfect addition to any kitchen," said Debbi Wilkes, Skate Canada Director Marketing and Communications. Perhaps at Canadian National's, the likes of Rochette and Chan will get a frying pan along with their medals?

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @skating102 for skating news, tidbits, and other fun information!

Pic of the Week

This season, I find myself pulling for certain skaters. I find myself seeing talent in many who haven't had the spotlight as much and something inside me is saying, "shine the light over there...on that skater!"

One of those skaters is Fedor Andreev, who represents...Azerbaijan?

Some of you are saying, "No no no, you mean Canada." Well, Fedor has competed for Canada for much of his career, but recently switched his affiliation to Azerbaijan.

He's a talented skater! Talent I first noticed way back in 1996 under rather tragic circumstances. Following the death of pairs skater Sergei Grinkov, CBS Aired Sergei Grinkov: Celebration of a Life. As Fedor's mother, Marina Zoueva, was one of Gordeeva and Grinkov's choreographers, Fedor was very close to Sergei and was aksed to participate in the celebration of his life. At the tender age of 13, I saw Fedor skate for the first time (see the video below) and have been impressed ever since.

Fedor is a rather diversified individual, after a back injury forced him to temporarily leave the sport, he found success in drift racing and as an Abercrombie and Fitch and US Vogue Model on runways around the world.

Lucky for us, he's made his way back to the ice and his stock is on the rise! He just won the Skate Detroit Competition and looks to be skating as well as ever. He has to jump through the same hoops that Lambiel has to in order to compete at the Olympics but I suspect he'll have no problem doing so.

Good luck Fedor...go get em'! And if you wanna keep tabs on him, follow him on Twitter @FedorAndreev.

One more...

Okay okay...too much time on my hands for Christmas Eve! But before I let you go, I have to thank Susan at Lifeskate for posting a great article detailing Jeffrey Buttle's transition from competitor to choreographer.

Fedor Andreev has tapped Buttle to do his programs this season (a great choice I might add!) and the article featured the best quote this season so far. Johnny will have some catching up to do!

Beverly Smith at the Globe and Mail got the scoop. Here's Jeffrey commenting on what he wanted to 'do' with Fedor Andreev's programs:

"Fedor is a real good looking guy and I wanted to give him something sexy, even a bit subtle. He doesn't really need to do much to be sexy on the ice. It's just something I know he's never done before and something I think he could have a lot of fun with."

Jeffrey...good luck getting Fedor to be sexy!