Crone and Poirier evolve into contenders

In the world of ice dance, European teams have dominated the international scene since the inclusion of ice dance in the World Championships in 1952. It took more than fifty years for a non-European team to crack the top of the world podium, and it has only happened twice in all.

Since the new judging system has been introduced at the World Championships in 2005, however, North American teams are beginning to show some dominance of their own, winning ten of the eighteen medals awarded at code of points-judged World Championships.

In 2003, Canadians Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz finally stood atop the podium at the World Championships after ten seasons of trying. Looking back on their milestone win, it might be said that this was the turning point in…

Kavaguti and Smirnov win gold

Russia’s Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov maintained their overnight lead to win gold. Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan took silver, while USA’s Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig captured the bronze.

Heavy favorites Kavaguti and Smirnov almost succeeded in producing a perfect birthday present for Kavaguti, who turned 29 on the day of the long program. In many ways the debut of their new program to Claire de Lune could not have been better: clean jumping passes, a powerful and emotional performance, and an overwhelming reception from the enthusiastic crowd.

The only fly in this ointment was the final lift, which Smirnov has described as “the most beautiful in the program”, that received no points at all. While it did not affect the overall…

Ando leaps to first to capture gold

Despite finishing fifth in the yesterday’s short program, Miki Ando of Japan managed to overcome both this set back and a recently sustained injury to capture the Ladies title.

Teammate Akiko Suzuki slipped to second, while USA’s Ashley Wagner maintained third to win the bronze.

Ando, who collided with another skater in practice five days ago, pulled a muscle in her back.

“Yesterday it was just numb,” the student of Nikolai Morozov. “Today I started to feel more pain. I tried to put tape on it. It helped a bit, but it is not an optimal solution. So my goal for today was to avoid showing people that I was in pain.”

The deliberation and caution showed through the most of her performance, which featured five…

Bobrova and Soloviev take first Cup of Russia

Injuries plagued ice dancing event at the 2010 Cup of Russia – even before the start of the competition. Sinead Kerr and John Kerr were scheduled to compete in Moscow, but had to withdrew after Sinead aggravated her shoulder injury.

The injuries continued to take their heavy toll on the participants. Eight teams competed in the short dance on Friday, but only five couples took part in the free dance.

The first two drop outs were Canada’s Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam, who had left the morning practice right after their music finished playing. Later in the day, Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy followed suit, and shortly before the start of the event, USA’s Madison Hubbell and Keiffer Hubbell also pulled out….

Verner captures first Grand Prix gold in Moscow

Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic rose from third to first place overall to win his first Grand Prix title. Patrick Chan of Canada slipped to second, while USA’s Jeremy Abbott captured the bronze.

Verner, who gave another nearly clean performance, was not upset about the small mistakes he made, but admitted being a bit disappointed that nobody in the media picked up on the fact that is was his first title.

“No one has mentioned anything about it. Is no one here following my career?” he joked at the post-event press conference.

Verner’s long program to the medley of Michael Jackson songs started off a bit slowly. The former European Champion began with three jumping passes before letting his emotions and…

Chan leads men after short program

Canada’s Patrick Chan captured a confident lead in the Men’s Short Program competition at the 2010 Cup of Russia. The 2010 World Championships silver medalist opened his entertaining routine to Take Five with an excellent quad toe loop – triple toe loop combination (the only 4+3 combination of the evening), which earned him an extra 1.86 points for the quality of execution, including a perfect +3 from one of the judges.

For the student of Lori Nichol, who has as recently as last season dismissed quad jumps as not “required for winning”, it has been his first ever quad combination performed at an ISU event. However, one would have never guessed it from his calm and confident approach to the element and the quality of both jumps.

“Together with my coach we…

Kavaguti and Smirnov take the lead in pairs

Russia’s Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov faced no serious challenge in capturing the leading position in the Pairs Short Program at the 2010 Cup of Russia.

The European Champions, who withdrew from Skate Canada earlier this year, were clearly a class of the field in Moscow. Despite a somewhat shaky landing on their opening triple toe loop and only level two for their death spiral, they are currently first with 61.91 points.

“It was our first competition after a long break,” said Smirnov.”Overall it was a respectable performance. We know where we did make mistakes, but overall it was good given the circumstances. We have lost almost four months of training (due to Kavaguti’s surgery and his own health issues), so it is really hard for us this season. Basically,…

Suzuki, Zawadzki 1-2 after short program

Debutants prevailed over more experienced skaters at the Ladies Short Program in Moscow. The only favorite to skate a clean program (minus an edge call on her Lutz, which cost her 1.20 points in the quality of execution) was Akiko Suzuki from Japan.

Skating last out of ten participant, the student of Hiroshi Naga was inspired and confident in her performance to the famous Tango Jalousie, which allowed her to secure the highest program components scores of the night.

Suzuki failed to beat her season’s best from the previous event (57.43), but it was enough to edge out USA’s Agnes Zawadzki for the overnight leadership.

“It was not a perfect short program but it was good enough,” Suzuki said. “My jumps here were better than at the Cup of China, but I feel…